Inside Move: Fox preps late-summer sked
'Juniors,' 'Keen,' 'Temptation' among bowing shows
"Performing As," a new music-themed performance skein from Endemol USA, will make its debut Tuesday, Aug. 26 at 8 p.m. after "American Juniors" has ended its run the week before. Skein had been developed under the working title "Soundmix" (Daily Variety, June 10).
Meanwhile, Fox has quietly yanked "Keen Eddie" off Tuesday nights. Critically praised but low-rated drama, which had always been set to move to make room for "The O.C.," left the night a little early this week to make room for special episodes of "Paradise Hotel."
Results were good: "Paradise" seg achieved a series-high adults 18-49 rating (3.4/10), beating NBC's "Last Comic Standing" (3.2/9) and ranking as the top program of the night in the demo. It moved up to a 15 share in women 18-34, easily improving Fox's standing in the 9 p.m. slot.
While "Paradise" has yet to blossom into a major hit for Fox, skein has quietly put up solid numbers the last couple of weeks. Fox execs have indicated recently the series is a good bet to return next summer.
Fox plans to air another "Paradise" next Tuesday before the show moves back to its Monday/Wednesday air patter. "Keen" will air a new seg tonight, then take off a month so Fox can air specials and NFL preseason action. "Keen" is then scheduled to return for a four-week run of episodes starting Aug. 28.
Previously announced "Temptation Island 3" -- suggested subtitle: "Rise of the Bikinis" -- is also expected to bow sometime next month. And following positive critical reaction, Fox has decided to hold the Paris Hilton/Nicole Richie reality laffer "The Simple Life" for the regular fall season.
