• April 7, 2005

As Fox prepares to unveil its all-reality/unscripted cable TV network next month, the network is removing its scripted shows from the Friday night schedule next week and will run movies instead, the network said Wednesday. Last month, Fox decided to pull the plug on the heavily promoted action series "Jonny Zero," which debuted last January. "Programming theatrical releases in the place of television-produced fare that is not performing well from a ratings standpoint is probably a better bet for the short-term," one media buyer said. "It should give them some breathing room until they come up with something else." Fox plans on scheduling its Friday film night through at least May 27. Some of the movies include "Shallow Hal," "Spider-Man," "X-Men," "Me, Myself & Irene," "Mr. Deeds," "Maid in Manhattan," and "Rush House 2." As for Fox Reality, which itself becomes reality on May 24, the network has set a lofty end-of-the-year target of 18.5 million subscribers. The cable network so far has struck deals with Adelphia Communications and Insight Communications. --David Kaplan