Fox Giving 'Glee,' 'Dollhouse' Early Starts TVWeek

Fox will premiere the bulk of its schedule prior to the official start of the 2009-10 season, including new musical comedy "Glee" and cult drama "Dollhouse."

In addition, the network has set Saturday, Nov. 7 as the premiere date for its new weekly late night series, "The Wanda Sykes Show."

As for primetime, Fox will roll out four nights of programming between Sept. 12 and Sept. 18, allowing it to get much of its lineup in place before Nielsen begins officially keeping tabs on seasonal ratings Sept. 21. Fox has gotten a head start on its premieres in past years as well, so the strategy isn't a surprise.

While Saturday unscripted shows "Cops" and "America's Most Wanted" will debut new episodes Sept. 12, Fox's first big premiere night is Wednesday, Sept. 16. That's when "Glee" has its official series premiere.

"Glee," which had a successful sneak preview last month, will air at 9 p.m., behind the fall season premiere of "So You Think You Can Dance."

The next night, Sept. 17, Fox's new Thursday lineup premieres, with "Bones" at 8 and sophomore thriller "Fringe" at 9.

Fox's quasi-premiere week wraps Sept. 18 with the second season debut of Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse" at 9. New comedy "Brothers" and returning half-hour "'Til Death" air at 8 and 8:30 p.m., respectively.

The network kicks off the official premiere week Monday, Sept. 21 with a two-hour episode of "House." Sophomore drama "Lie to Me" moves into its new 9 p.m. Monday slot on Sept. 28.

"Hell's Kitchen" will still be in original episodes on Tuesdays come fall, and it will serve as a lead-in to the Tuesday edition of "Dance" starting Sept. 29.

Fox's final premieres will be its Sunday animated shows, which this year return on Sept. 27. In addition to "The Simpsons," "Family Guy" and "American Dad," the block will now include "The Cleveland Show" at 8:30 p.m.

--Josef Adalian

Here's a chronological look at Fox's premiere rollout:

Saturday, Sept. 12
8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT COPS (Season Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT COPS (All-New Episode)
9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (Season Premiere)

Wednesday, Sept. 16
8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT GLEE (Series Premiere)

Thursday, Sept. 17
8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT BONES (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT FRINGE (Season Premiere)

Friday, Sept. 18
8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT BROTHERS (Series Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT ‘TIL DEATH (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT DOLLHOUSE (Season Premiere)

Monday, Sept. 21
8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT HOUSE (2-Hour Season Premiere)

Sunday, Sept. 27
8:00-8:30 PM ET/PT THE SIMPSONS (Season Premiere)
8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT THE CLEVELAND SHOW (Series Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT FAMILY GUY (Season Premiere)
9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT AMERICAN DAD (Season Premiere)

Monday, Sept. 28
8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT HOUSE (All-New Episode)
9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT LIE TO ME (Season Premiere)

Tuesday, Sept. 29
8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT HELL’S KITCHEN (All-New Episode)
9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Time Period Premiere)

Tuesday, Oct. 27
8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Time Period Premiere)

Saturday, Nov. 7
11:00 PM-Midnight ET/PT THE WANDA SYKES SHOW (wt) (Series Premiere)