Fox's presentation at the Television Critics Association press tour on Monday in Beverly Hills previewed a fall featuring everything from sports to pop music to a cult-classic musical
In addition to panels for its small-screen reboots of the films "Lethal Weapon" and "The Exorcist" and its animated/live-action mash-up "Son of Zorn," Fox also unveiled its sports drama "Pitch." The buzzed-about series, which premieres Sept. 22, chronicles the excitement surrounding the first female athlete to compete in Major League Baseball, a pitcher, naturally, played by Kylie Bunbury.
When asked if he was prepared for any controversy that could come out of a depiction of the breaking of MLB's glass ceiling, series creator Dan Fogelman (also behind the NBC newcomer "This Is Us") was optimistic.
"Maybe I'm naive, but I find it hard to fathom in the great wide world _ who would really be against this?" he asked. "If a young woman comes along who is capable of playing with 'the guys,' I can't think of a person who wouldn't be interested in seeing it."
The discussion's tone shifted when the panel was asked why a woman gets to be the center of a sports show on network TV only when playing a man's game, as opposed to the sports where women already excel, such as soccer and softball.
"I think the big story here is the attention the world and this country would give that move," Fogelman said. "There's these four major North American sports right now. If a woman broke into one of them, it would be a monstrous story on a narrative scale."
Following the success of "Grease Live!," Fox will again chase the footlights with an update of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" featuring the original Dr. Frank-N-Furter himself, Tim Curry, this time in the role of the narrator.
The new version, airing Oct. 20, finds transgender actress Laverne Cox ("Orange Is the New Black") slipping into Frank-N-Fur-ter's fishnets. Other cast members include Tony winner and "Masters of Sex" star Annaleigh Ashford as Columbia, Adam Lambert as Eddie, Victoria Justice ("Victorious") as Janet and Broadway veteran Ben Vereen as Dr. Scott.
"Having Tim Curry greenlight this meant so much to myself and I'm sure for all of us," said Vereen. "To have this man with us was it. For me, couldn't wait to get there just to be able to work with Tim Curry."
Grammy-winning music mogul Lou Adler, who was executive producer of the original film, takes on the same role for the new version, joining Kenny Ortega (the "High School Musical" franchise), who will direct and choreograph it.
Adler said he wasn't surprised that the movie had maintained its popularity over the decades.
"Nothing surprises me when it comes to 'Rocky,'" Adler said. "It's always had a mind of its own. We just wanted the fans to tell us what we should do next."
Fox's "Rocky Horror Picture Show" will retain much of the audience participation aspect, said Adler.
"Our objective was be true to the original but make it contemporary," he said.
On a panel with his fellow actors, Curry was asked if he endorsed the remake. He replied, "I do indeed."
If anyone could give Cookie Lyon a run for her money, it's Mariah Carey.
Following on the heels of the announcement that the pop superstar would guest on the upcoming third season of "Empire," Emmy-nominated star Taraji P. Henson and producers Ilene Chaiken and Sanaa Hamri fielded questions about Carey's work on the show.
"She was great," Henson said. "I mean, she's fabulous. She's beautiful to look at. Wish I could wear a leotard like that and those heels. She brings a sense of what Mariah brings to the music industry. She brought it to our show. I'm grateful that she spent time with little ol' us."
Carey is among several famous guest stars appearing in the third season of the music industry/family soap.
"Empire" returns Sept. 21.
