Fox O&Os To Debut Seven Summer Shows

Fox Television Stations will present an original slate of summer programming composed of seven shows.

They are: IWitness, Punchline, Watch What Happens Live, Culinary Genius, The Q, Ana Polo and The Jason Show.

Each program will broadcast on select Fox-owned stations for three to six week previews, starting in June.

In making the announcement, Frank Cicha, FTS SVP of programming, said: “Once again, we’re making it a priority to provide fresh options for our viewers during the summer. Whether or not we get three new series from this slate, as we did from last year’s, remains to be seen. Either way, we’ll always believe the more swings you take, the better.”

• The Q (June 5 | 4 weeks) is a half-hour, daily, variety show hosted by Quincy Harris and taped in front of a live audience at the WTXF Philadelphia studios. The program covers all topics from trending stories and viral videos, to comedy and interactive games and interviews, with high profile and local in-studio guests. The Q has been airing on WTXF since September 2016.

• The Jason Show (June 5 | 4 weeks) is a one-hour, live, daily entertainment talk show hosted by Twin Cities media personality, Jason Matheson. The program has been airing on KMSP Minneapolis since August 2015.

• Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (June 26 | 4 weeks | in partnership with NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution) is a daily, half-hour entertainment program. Hosting a plethora of guest bartenders, the Clubhouse has become a daily destination for some of the biggest names in pop culture, who stop by for a signature drink and candid conversation. 

• IWitness (July 10 | 6 weeks | in partnership with FremantleMedia, Debmar-Mercury and Judge Judy Sheindlin’s Queen Bee Prods.) is hosted by comedian John Henson (Wipeout, Talk Soup). The half-hour syndicated series will feature three contestants on each episode, facing off to test their powers of observation. Contestants’ ability to recall what they’ve just witnessed will be tested through video clips and images spanning the media landscape. The winner will have a chance to advance to the final round and compete for a $20,000 grand prize. 

• Punchline (July 10 | 4 weeks) is a half-hour, daily, current events driven show, hosted by Marc Istook, where two teams of comedians compete to come up with the best punchlines based on the days’ headlines. Creators Dave Noll and Cleve Keller will serve as executive producers on the program.

• Culinary Genius (Aug. 7 | 3 weeks) is a half-hour program adapted from England’s ITV version of Culinary Genius, executive produced by Gordon Ramsay. The show begins with the lead chef offering a cooking task demonstration for five amateur home chefs who serve as the day’s contestants. Contestants compete to be named the culinary genius of the day. Produced by Studio Ramsay and All3Media.‎ 

• Ana Polo Rules (Aug. 7 | 3 weeks) is a new arbitration show featuring Ana Polo, the star of Telemundo’s Caso Cerrado. As the only TV judge with a court show simultaneously in both English and Spanish language TV, Polo will settle small claims cases and family disputes. This half-hour program will be produced by Cinemat in Miami.