Fall 2012 TV Preview: FOX Premiere Schedule and Trailers

Though NBC is the network that has to make the biggest changes to get back on top, Fox is making some serious shifts as well. A scripted juggernaut is moving to a new night, and another hour-long favorite is ending its run. Meanwhile, the network is putting an almost entirely new lineup of shows on Tuesday night to try to carve out a sitcom market. Even the network's big fall reality show is seeing a major casting change this year.

Will it work? Maybe, but you would have to assume the network is averse to risk after last season's "Terra Nova" letdown.

New Shows:

"The Mob Doctor" - Monday, Sept. 17 at 9PM

The network's only new hour long drama is "The Mob Doctor," which centers on a young female surgeon who, because of a debt to the Chicago Mafia, has to moonlight as a... you guessed it... mob doctor. Are there any other possible permutations of the medical drama left?

"Ben & Kate" - Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 8:30PM

This sitcom takes on the classic odd couple theme and gives it a new twist: instead of having two friends or a couple serve as the center of the show, the titular Ben and Kate are brother and sister. Kate is the grounded, realistic one, while Ben is the dreamer, and both think they have something to teach the other. Hilarity presumably ensues.

"The Mindy Project" - Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 9:30PM

Mindy Kaling, who stars on "The Office" as Kelly and wrote for the show as well, created and stars in this new half-hour sitcom. The show centers on a young doctor (Kaling) who navigates her love life in a style reminiscent of romantic comedies like "Bridget Jones' Diary."

Returning Shows:

"The X Factor" - Wednesday, Sept. 12 at 8PM

After a first season that did fairly well, but not as well as creator Simon Cowell bragged that it would, "The X Factor" returns for a second season. It's going to be revamped, with two new faces at the judges' table in Britney Spears and Demi Lovato, to replace Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul. The manner in which the contestants are grouped will be changed up as well.

"Glee" - Thursday, Sept. 13 at 9PM

Fox's biggest scripted show is also its biggest question mark heading into its fourth season. The show has lost some of its huge popularity and has definitely lost its critical appeal over the years, but that's not all it has lost: the show's fictional senior class graduated from their fictional high school last season, so the show will be in a big transitional phase as it attempts to cover storylines in locations across the country.

"Bones" - Monday, Sept. 17 at 8PM

Everyone's favorite odd couple, will they/won't they couple, and crime-solving couple rolled into one returns for an eighth season. There has been talk that this would also be the show's last season, but so far everyone involved is expecting the show to continue past this year.

"New Girl" - Tuesday, Sept. 25 at 8PM

After a successful first season that lead to some impressive critical acclaim, not to mention an Emmy nomination for Zooey Deschanel, "New Girl" returns for season two. Will Schmidt un-White-Fang Cece? Will Nick and Jess finally hook up? Will we finally learn the rules to True American?

"The Simpsons" - Sunday, Sept. 30 at 8PM

"The Simpsons" returns for it's 100,000th season. Just kidding, it's only the show's 50,000th season.

"Bob's Burgers" - Sunday, Sept. 30 at 8:30PM

This animated sitcom has never brought in as many viewers as its big-name counterparts in the Animation Domination lineup, but nonetheless the show has earned a short renewal. And that's a good thing, too: "Bob's Burgers" is a very funny show with an even funnier voice cast.

"Family Guy" - Sunday, Sept. 30 at 9PM

Seth MacFarlane's creation enters its 11th season this fall, in a year in which MacFarlane had his first big feature film hit with "Ted." Presumably, there will be no more Star Wars spoof episodes.

"American Dad" - Sunday, Sept. 30 at 9:30PM

Part 2 of the Seth Macfarlane 9:00 hour is "American Dad," which enters its 8th season this year. This is also the first year in which the show has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program.

"Raising Hope" - Tuesday, Sept. 2 at 8PM

Fox's other half-hour sitcom introduced last year returns for another season, following mostly positive critical reactions. "Raising Hope," along with "New Girl" and the new sitcoms, will create a block of half-hour comedies on Tuesday nights to create an antithesis to CBS' "NCIS" block and to compete with NBC's own new Tuesday sitcoms.

"The Cleveland Show" - Sunday, Oct. 7 at 7:30PM

Seth MacFarlane's third show in the Fox Sunday lineup will enter its fourth season this fall. Yeah, I know, I wasn't aware that anyone was watching it either.

"Touch" - Friday, Oct. 26 at 8PM

After middling critical response and moderate success in its premiere season earlier in 2012, "Touch" returns for a second season this fall. Oddly enough, the first season finale episode airs on September 14, only to have the second season premiere just a little more than a month later.

Be sure to check out the NBC Fall 2012 premiere schedule and trailers here.