LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- "We all [make mistakes], look at my fall," FOX's Chairman of Entertainment Kevin Reilly quipped during the executive session at the TCA Winter Press Tour after a reporter stumbled over her question.
The network's missteps however took a backseat to questions about violence on television, particularly in light of the recent Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. Nevertheless, there were a few notable updates on the programming front:
The reboot of "In Living Color" isn't happening. "[It's] done, that's not going to happen," Reilly said about the two half-hour specials ordered back in October 2011. "Unfortunately for various reasons it just didn't come together. I mean that show was a seminal show on television and the bar was set at that level... It just didn't seem like it was going to kind of reinvent the next chapter." Adding, "I'm not giving up all hope that at some point we could reboot that."
Still no date for "The Goodwin Games," which may be pushed into the summer. "If I thought 'Goodwin Games' was going to be an injection of life to the [Tuesday] block, I would have brought it on earlier," he admitted. "[It's] a nice show, I'm not sure it's going to improve our block ratings-wise. So we're going to hold off on it because to further upset that block I think is only going to exacerbate our problem, particularly when we get into Daylight Savings Time in March." Adding, "the short answer is we're going to maintain consistency with the shows that we have in that block. 'Goodwin Games' will come on later in the year, perhaps as late as summer."
Reilly says he's on board with Britney Spears returning to "The X Factor." "Pound for pound I thought 'The X Factor' was excellent this year," he said. "You know, last year the ratings were a little bit higher [but] I think it was a better show this year." As far as season three, Reilly said he hasn't spoken with Simon Cowell yet about any changes. "Obviously L.A. [Reid] made his announcement, which is too bad because I really like L.A. a lot, he was great. He has other business to tend to so we're going to have to replace that judge."
"So You Think You Can Dance" will remain once a week this summer. Reilly and Mike Darnell, President of Alternative Entertainment, both affirmed the talent competition will remain a once-a-week proposition. Darnell pointed to its already hefty commitments this summer, which include "MasterChef" and "Hell's Kitchen."
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