FOX Announces Midseason Schedule, Sticks "Dollhouse" in Friday Attic

After weeks of anticipation, FOX has announced its midseason schedule for winter 2008/09.

Among the winners? Fringe, which gets the highly prized post-American Idol timeslot on Tuesdays, and new drama Lie to Me, which gets a Wednesday night timeslot also following American Idol. Among the losers? Genre series Dollhouse--from creator Joss Whedon--and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, which get shipped out to timeslot Siberia, namely Friday nights. (Ouch.)

While many Whedon fans are already up in arms about what they perceive as a slight against Dollhouse, I can say that I am not at all surprised that FOX has chosen to ship the creatively struggling Dollhouse and ratings-starved Sarah Connor to Friday nights. Having seen the first two episodes of Dollhouse (and failing to be very impressed despite being a die-hard Whedon-ite), it makes sense that FOX would try to minimize any expectations and put Dollhouse on an evening where ratings are slim to begin with.

However, one can't help but be reminded of the decision to move Dollhouse to Friday evenings of FOX's programming decision a few years back when it placed Whedon's own Firefly in the very same timeslot. A self-fulfilling prophecy? That remains to be seen. But fans shouldn't get too comfortable when Dollhouse kicks off on February 13th.

FOX's full midseason schedule can be found after the jump.

FOX MIDSEASON SCHEDULE

MONDAY

Monday, Jan. 5th:
7:30 pm-CC ET: TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL (LIVE)

Monday, Jan. 12th:
8-10 pm: 24 (Season Seven Premiere, Part 2)

Mondays, beginning Jan. 19th:
8-9 pm: House (Time Period Premiere)
9-10 pm: 24 (Time Period Premiere)

TUESDAY

Tuesday, Jan. 13th:
8-10 pm: American Idol (Season Premiere, Part 1)

Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 20th:
8-9 pm: American Idol (Time Period Premiere)
9-10 pm: Fringe

WEDNESDAY

Wednesday, Jan. 14th:
8-10 pm: American Idol (Season Premiere, Part 2)

Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 21st:
8-9 pm: American Idol (Time Period Premiere)
9-10 pm: Lie to Me (Series Premiere)

THURSDAY

Thursday, Jan. 1st:
7:30 pm-CC ET: FEDEX ORANGE BOWL (LIVE)

Thursday, Jan. 8th:
7:30 pm-CC ET: FEDEX BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME (LIVE)

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 15th:
8-9 pm: Bones (Time Period Premiere)
9-10 pm: Kitchen Nightmares

Thursdays, beginning Jan. 29th:
8-9 pm: Bones
9-10 pm: Hell's Kitchen (Season Premiere)

FRIDAY

Friday, Jan. 2nd:
7:30 pm-CC ET: ALLSTATE SUGAR BOWL (LIVE)

Friday, Jan. 9th:
8-10 pm: FOX MOVIE SPECIAL: BRUCE ALMIGHTY

Fridays, beginning Jan. 16th (no change to lineup):

8-9 pm: Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?
9-10 pm: Don't Forget the Lyrics!

Fridays, beginning Feb. 13th:
8-9 pm: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Time Period Premiere)
9-10 pm: Dollhouse (Series Premiere)

SATURDAY

Saturdays, beginning Jan. 3rd (no change to lineup):
8-8:30 pm: COPS
8:30-9 pm: COPS
9-10 pm: America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back
11-Midnight: MADtv
Midnight-12:30 am: Talkshow with Spike Feresten

SUNDAY

Sunday, Jan. 11th:
8-10 pm: 24 (Season Premiere, Part 1)

Sundays, beginning Jan. 18th:
7-7:30 pm: Hole in the Wall (Time Period Premiere)
7:30-8 pm: Hole in the Wall (Time Period Premiere)
8-10 pm: ANIMATION DOMINATION (The Simpsons, King of the Hill, Family Guy, and American Dad)

[N.B.: Prison Break and 'Til Death will return to the schedule at a later date.]

Stay tuned.