Still from SOUTH PARK.
© Comedy Central
TV Wasteland: Fox “Inkubates” Animation
By: Stephen LackeyDate: Monday, May 12, 2008
Fox is finally learning from its own animated television success. Shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, and King of the Hill continue to play successfully for them, even though it seemed for a while that the network was dead set on killing these shows. Fox has announced a new initiative called “Animation Inkubation” where they will bring together a think tank of creators to start new animation projects, first as short films. It’s cute how they changed the “c” to a “k”, right? At any rate, the plan is to tweak and rework these new projects in short film form until the team feels they have something really great. At that point, one or more of these new projects could go into full production.
If this seems a little familiar it should. South Park, The Simpsons, and back in the old days, Beavis and Butthead, all started as short film projects prior to getting full distributions. This new “Inkubation” will be run by a new animation division at Fox headed by Jennifer Howell. All of the pieces come together when you consider that Ms. Howell was at one time a supervising producer of South Park. The division is said to even be looking at digital distribution as a method to at least get the short films out for fans to view. If that happens, then Ms. Howell is really trying to recreate the synergy that brought about South Park.
No word has been given as to when some of these new short film projects might see the light of day. It’s good to know that Fox is working on new animated series but hopefully they’ve learned from their mistakes from the Futurama days.
This week, as is the formula, is all about Thursday and Friday for television. Early in the week the season finale of Medium looks like fun but the excitement really starts with Smallville, Supernatural, and Lost on Thursday. Supernatural is hitting its season finale this week carrying the baggage of a season long story arc. There should be some riveting demon killing action! Smallville hasn’t exactly been stellar this season but the previews of Lex and Clark in the fortress are intriguing. Lost is continuing with a mostly solid season and is one of the most anticipated series of the week along with Friday night’s Battlestar Galactica.
Monday
BONES (FOX, 8PMEST) THE WANNA-BE IN THE WEEDS
When the body of an aspiring singer (Ace Young of "American Idol") is discovered, Booth and Brennan probe a club's open-mike night, where they encounter the deceased's friends, rivals and one dangerously obsessed fan.
MEDIUM (NBC, 10PM EST) DROWNED WORLD
In the fourth-season finale, Allison takes on a haunted-house case that turns violent. Meanwhile, the true motives of Joe's business associate (Kelly Preston) come to light, and the DA race between Devalos and Tom Van Dyke (John Prosky) heats up.
Tuesday
XPLAY (G4, 8PM EST)
A series covering all things videogaming from the games themselves to PC’s, consoles, and accessories. This week features a whole new batch of reviews and previews.
STARGATE SG-1 (SCIFI, 8PM EST) TWO HOURS OF THE GATE
Catch two hours of one of the longest running science fiction series ever tonight. Hey there’s nothing else on!
Wednesday
CRIMINAL MINDS (NBC, 10PM EST) TABULA RASA
A serial-killer case is reopened when the suspected killer wakes up from a four-year coma and claims he doesn't remember committing any crimes. Brian Matloff: Eric Lange. SWAT Officer: Jon Barton. Det. Jarvis: James Sharpe. Cece: Amy Carlson. Mr. Corbett: James Eckhouse.
Thursday
SMALLVILLE (CW, 8PM EST) ARCTIC
In the seventh-season finale, Brainiac impersonates Kara, whom he has imprisoned in the Phantom Zone, and in her guise he takes Lex to the Fortress for a showdown with Clark. Meanwhile, Chloe is arrested by the Department of Domestic Security; and Lana awakens from her comatose state.
SUPERNATURAL (CW, 9PM EST) NO REST FOR THE WICKED
In the third-season ender, Sam summons Ruby (Katie Cassidy) for help as time begins running out for Dean. The brothers, against Ruby's advice, steal her knife and, with Bobby's help, prepare to face off against Lillith and her infernal minions in New Harmony, Ind. Bobby: Jim Beaver.
LOST (NBC, 10PM EST) THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE HOME
Part 1 of 3. The showdown between the survivors and the freighter people begins. Richard Alpert: Nestor Carbonell. David Reyes: Cheech Marin. Margo Shephard: Veronica Hamel. Karen Decker: Michelle Forbes. Mr. Paik: Byron Chung.
Friday
GHOST WHISPERER (CBS, 8PM EST) STRANGLEHOLD
Melinda looks into a 1979 murder trial prosecuted by her father, hoping to find a connection to his disappearance.
SARAH JANE ADVENTURES (SCIFI, 7:30PM EST) WHATEVER HAPPENED TO SARAH JANE?
Part 1 of 2. A missing boy turns out to be a genetic match for Luke, whom Sarah Jane sends to live with the boy's family. Elsewhere, Sarah Jane probes the Pharos Para-Science Institute.
DOCTOR WHO (SCIFI, 9PM EST) THE SONTARAN STRATAGEM
Freema Agyeman reprises her role as Martha Jones, who phones the Doctor as an army of the Time Lord's old enemies, the Sontarans, kick their diabolical plan into motion.
MOONLIGHT (CBS, 9PM EST) SONATA
In the first-season ender, Mick and Josef team up with other area vampires to protect their secret identities after a murder investigation threatens to expose them. The crime in question occurs when a vampire kills a human in a moment of passion.
BATTLESTAR GALACTICA (SCIFI, 10PM EST) GUESS WHO’S COMING TO DINNER
The unlikely alliance of Cylons and humans is pushed to the edge when Starbuck brings her Cylon pals back to Galactica.
Saturday
ROBIN HOOD (BBCA, 9PM EST) THE ANGEL OF DEATH
The Sheriff enlists an evil scientist to create a chemical weapon. He then tests it out on a street in Nottingham, harming innocent civilians and blaming their illness on the pestilence. Meanwhile, Will's father encourages him to leave Robin Hood's gang to run the family's carpentry business.
Sunday
SIMPSONS (FOX, 8PM EST) ALL ABOUT LISA
In the 19th-season finale, Lisa receives Springfield's Entertainer of the Year Award, and Sideshow Mel narrates her history in showbiz in a wry spoof of "All About Eve." Drew Carey voices himself.
AMERICAN DAD (FOX, 9:30PM EST) SPRING BREAK-UP
In the third-season finale, Francine is out of town, giving Roger an opportunity to host spring break at the Smith house for visiting college students, one of whom becomes the straying Stan's "spring-break buddy." Meanwhile, cable music-channel host Carmen Selectra decides she wants to make Steve her sexual conquest. 
