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Fox: A narrow lead

This week in New York, broadcast networks begin to unveil their fall season schedules to advertisers. It’s the kickoff of the biggest event of the year in the television business -- known as the “upfronts” -- when advertisers are urged to buy prime-time commercial spots before the 2005-06 season begins.From the gutter to the penthouse: Fox has seen it all this season. Last fall, the network languished through reality bombs like “Next Great Champ” and “Rebel Billionaire.” But it came roaring back in January with “American Idol,” which has delivered its ratings magic to the new medical drama “House.” Now Fox is leading among the young-adult viewers that advertisers prize most -- but it’s a narrow lead. Next season, Fox’s new top programmer, Peter Liguori, needs to build strength on Sundays (where “The Simpsons” is showing signs of age) and Thursdays (a tough night for its hip youth soap “The O.C.”), not to mention find a way of making the autumn a little less painful. UPN has enjoyed a ratings uptick lately, thanks to solid performances from the sitcom “Girlfriends” and the reality series “America’s Next Top Model.” The Tuesday drama “Veronica Mars” has already been renewed for next season. However, the network still shows some weakness in its block of sitcoms Mondays and Tuesdays. Thursday’s “WWE Smackdown!” is still a draw for young men, but it’s nowhere near the ratings giant it once was. The end of “Star Trek: Enterprise,” meanwhile, gives top programmer Dawn Ostroff space on the schedule to find a drama with broader appeal.

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WHAT’S NEW

Title: Description

“Head Cases”: A drama in which an attorney has a nervous breakdown, gets fired from his job, and builds an alliance with another attorney to take on the establishment. Starring Chris O’Donnell and Adam Goldberg; written by Bill Chais and Jeff Rake.

“Bones”: In this drama series, an anthropologist and her team of scientists help solve murders, frequently teaming up and clashing with a former Army Ranger who distrusts science. Based on the real-life experiences and bestselling works of novelist-forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs.

“Deviant Behavior”: Set in San Francisco, this drama features Det. Graham Hale (Johnny Messner) and Det. Rachel Lyford (Marguerite Moreau) heading up the police department’s Deviant Crime Unit.

“Freebirds”: A comedy about a former Big Man on Campus who returns to his small Midwestern hometown in a new role. Starring Josh Dean and Erin Cahill.

“The Loop”: A sitcom about a college graduate who becomes the first among his friends to get a real job, as a Chicago-based airline’s youngest executive.

“The War at Home”: A comedy about a dysfunctional family whose hypocritical parents have lost control at home and try to regain the high ground.

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WHAT’S NEW

Title: Description

“Wildlife”: A dramedy about a group of twentysomethings living in the hip Hollywood community of Silver Lake. Starring Denise Richards, Lauren German, Eric Balfour and Lucas Bryant.

“Everybody Hates Chris”: A single-camera comedy inspired by Chris Rock’s experience growing up as the oldest of three children in 1982 Brooklyn, raised by strict parents and who attended a predominately white school. Rock is executive producer and provides the perspective and voice-over.

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CBS: Eye toward crime

NEW SHOW UPDATE

Title: Description: Time/Day

“Criminal Minds”: Mandy Patinkin stars in this crime thriller about an elite squad of FBI profilers. The show was listed in Wednesday’s Times as “Quantico.”: 9 p.m./Wednesday

“Close to Home”: A drama series about a female prosecutor who works in a Midwestern suburb and tracks the “why” behind crimes. The series was listed as “American Crime.”: 10 p.m./Tuesday

“Out of Practice”: A comedy, starring Benjamin Chase, Stockard Channing and Henry Winkler, about a family of physicians who shares the same profession but little else.: 9:30 p.m./Monday

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WHAT ELSE

Four shows were canceled: “60 Minutes Wednesday,” “Judging Amy,” “Joan of Arcadia” and “Listen Up.” “Two and a Half Men” also was moved to an earlier 9 p.m. Monday slot to replace “Everybody Loves Raymond.”

For more information on the new shows go to calendarlive.com/upfront.

Los Angeles Times