2015 Fall TV Preview: the Returning Shows on FOX

I read a fascinating suggestion about Laughter in the Dark as a parody of William Shakespeare’s Othello. Art contains unexpected, bottomless depths of interpretations, possibilities, and introspection. Wonderful.

Anyway, here’s when your favorite FOX shows return and a little about what’s coming for each.  

GOTHAM returns Monday, September 21 at 8PM

Season two: the rise of the villains. The Joker appeared in the latest trailer. FOX released a synopsis detailing the various villains who will appear in season two. The writers plan to tell origin stories for Mr. Freeze, Riddler, and Bruce will learn more about his father’s secrets from his past. The worst part of any superhero show is the drawn out origin part. Gotham’s writers want to tell origin stories for characters that’ve had origin stories so many times. Entertainment Weekly described the season 1 finale as “confusing, poorly plotted, and turning a blind eye to all that makes Batman great.”

EMPIRE returns Wednesday, September 23 at 9PM

How did FOX luck into Empire? Incredible. Per Entertainment Weekly, Season 2’s bringing in Snoop Dogg, Mary J. Blige, Chris Rock, Rev. Al Sharpton, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keys, Kelly Rowland, and many more. Cookie’s going to fall in love. One of the Lyon sons will make a power play. The Meek Mill/Drake beef will find a place in season two. The premiere’s titled “The Devils Are Here?”

BOB’S BURGERS returns Sunday, September 27 at 7:30PM

Two known plots, according to the Bob’s Burgers wiki page: Bob will learn to ride a horse, and Bob will sell Critter’s bike to free Critter from jail. Kumail Nanjiani, and so many other LA comedians, did a guest voice spot for season two. The premiere’s titled “Sliding Bobs.” The story seems to involve how Bob met Linda.

THE SIMPSONS returns Sunday, September 27 at 8PM

Homer’s going to date a twentysomething woman voiced by Lena Dunham. He’ll meet her friends, voiced by the other three Girls actresses. Also, Marge and Homer try a trial separation. Someone said, during The Simpsons’ ATX panel, that Marge and Homer would separate. Evidently, the separation won’t last but an episode. Another plum from the ATX panel regarded Sideshow Bob’s return in “Halloween of Horror” in which he’ll finally make good on a very old threat.

BROOKLYN NINE-NINE returns Sunday, September 27 at 8:30PM

Bill Hader guest starred in the season premiere, playing the role of the precinct’s new captain. Mike Schur promised TVLine fun twists and turns after the new captain arrives.

FAMILY GUY returns Sunday, September 27 at 9PM

Season 14 will reveal Quagmire’s a Korean soap opera star; Brian will enter Stewie’s mind to uncover the root of Stewie’s nightmare; Peter and Lois buy a new mattress, in what seems the most daring story; and Peter will meet his long-lost sister. A few celebrities did a guest voice spot, including SNL’s Kate McKinnon, Kyle Chandler, Glenn Close, and Neil deGrasse Tyson.

THE LAST MAN ON EARTH returns Sunday, September 27 at 9:30PM

Will Forte didn’t tell critics much at TCA last month. Forte re-grew the excellent beard from season 1. The man can grow a beard. Jason Sudeikis joined the cast. January Jones will return. I think there’ll be a road trip this season.

BONES returns Thursday, October 1 at 8PM

Booth’s missing. Every year, I write some sentences about Bones, and every year something’s wrong with Booth. He lost his memory or he grew a beard because he’s in jail after a frame job or he’s missing because he left the FBI and The Jeffersonian with Brennan. A new agent tries to find Booth in the premiere. Bones promoted two writers to co-show runners after Hart Hanson’s replacement left the series.

SLEEPY HOLLOW returns Thursday, October 1 at 9PM

Sleep Hollow changed nights. Yes. Anyway, the network wanted a funner, lighter season three. Apparently, season two got dark. Any genre show with a mythology will inevitably lose the fun. Writers get carried away with mythology. FOX CEO Dana Weldon told press the mythology became “too dense.” Season two disconnected with the main characters, which is always a bad sign for a show, but the writers will renew focus on Ichabod and Abbie. Man, Dana Walden thinks her poorly of her audience. So, the mythology’s scaled back because of density. Also, Sleepy Hollow will run in separate “uninterrupted” chunks—for the fall and for the spring—so that the audience will know when they’re in “originals.” Don’t expect uninterrupted episodes, though; Walden used a qualifier. Sleepy Hollow season three, everyone!