• by Wayne Friedman , January 11, 2011

Fox hopes to return to its usual higher ratings ground this spring -- eliminating the memory of its unusual crash this past fall.

A double whammy of a big "Lone Star" failure and slow-building new comedies sunk Fox some 15% in the key 18-49 ratings.

Talking about the big problem of "Lone Star," Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment for Fox Broadcasting, said during the Television Critics Association meeting here: "It was real unexpected and trouble for us."

Fox only launched three shows in the fall: "Lone Star," "Raising Hope" and "Running Wilde." Fox placed high expectations on "Star," including a huge marketing effort, to publicize the debut.

"It really changed the complexion of our fall," says Reilly. "We wouldn't have had as much trouble on Monday night." That left Fox with two comedies: "Raising Hope" and "Running Wilde." The latter is now off the schedule. "Comedy tends to be a slow-growth process. When that thing ["Lone Star"] was DOA, it was a gaping hole."

However, new efforts this spring/summer, a major big-budget adventure show, "Terra Nova" a new animated effort from "Bob's Burgers" on Sunday night, and the revamped "American Idol" -- hope to make a dismal fall a distant memory.

Peter Rice, chairman of entertainment for the Fox Network Group, is not looking back: "We'll spend as much as development this year -- maybe more."

Take "Terra Nova," a big new limited sci-fi adventure series with a larger-that-normal price tag. Reilly says the costs are manageable -- even in doing the unusual, ordering a complete 13-episode series. "The pilot isn't astronomically expensive. We are not in some completely uncharted territory."

Like "Glee" a few seasons ago, Fox plans a big limited pilot premiere at the end of the 2010-2011 season -- all to tease the show, which starts up in the fall. The first hour will air Monday, May 23 at 9 p.m., and the second on Tuesday, May 24 at 9 p.m.

As traumatic as things have been for Fox in the fall, it continues to take chances, especially with "American Idol" moving its results show to Thursday from Wednesday. "American Idol" will go head to head with CBS' strong comedy, "The Big Bang Theory" at 8 p.m.

"If you look at 8 p.m to 9 p.m. on Thursday, ratings points are down," said Rice. "We looked at it as an opportunity."

Despite falling TV ratings points for many broadcast networks, some analysts believe it makes it easier for some channels to move up a few places. "You are only a few DNA strands away from a hit," says Reilly.

Concerning the big failure of "Lone Star," Reilly says this is part of the TV business, although he bristles at some Monday morning criticism.

"I take umbrage with some commentary that said: 'Well, all the great shows have to be on cable.' One discussion we never have: "Well, let's not do that again!' There was no Monday morning quarterbacking. We analyzed some strategic moves, but never the intent."