Fox bets big on 11 new shows including J.J. Abrams sci-fi drama, its first miniseries

By Lynn Elber | The Associated Press
May 13 2013 05:00 AM

CP23317752 — In this Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011 photo, Seth MacFarlane poses for a portrait in Los Angeles. Fox, facing the ebbing ratings power of "American Idol," is betting big on its first miniseries and shows from heavyweight producers MacFarlane and J.J. Abrams to invigorate its schedule. The network is making its largest original-programming investment yet with a crop of 11 new series along with the miniseries from filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan for the 2013-14 season, Kevin Reilly, Fox Entertainment chairman, said Monday, May 13, 2013. That\'s more than double the five series it announced last year. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

NEW YORK, N.Y. – The Fox network is betting big on its first miniseries and shows from heavyweight producers Seth McFarlane and J.J. Abrams for next season.

The network said Monday it’s making its largest original-programming investment yet with a crop of 11 new series and a miniseries from filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan (SHAH’-mah-lahn) for the 2013-14 season. That’s more than double the five series it announced last year.

“Family Guy” and “American Dad” creator McFarlane will be trying his hand at a live-action sitcom. “Dads” will star Seth Green and Giovanni Ribisi as best friends whose fathers become their new roommates.

Abrams is among the producers of “Almost Human,” an action series set 35 years in the future, when officers are teamed with humanlike androids.

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