Ruben In LA: FOX Fall Preview

Ruben with Paula Abdul from X Factor

Our very own Ruben Dominguez is in LA this week covering all the “latest and greatest” with the NEW FOX Fall season.

We here at BackstageOL asked him to send us a journal of his trip…here is Day One.

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Why was I on a plane to Los Angeles on the tenth anniversary of September 11th? Because the guys at Fox Publicity figured that with the heightened security, it would be the safest day to fly. Maybe, but tell that to all the people that were told to evacuate the airport due to a fire 30 minutes before boarding. It was crazy.

The event that brought me here was the roll out for the new Fox primetime television season. First thing in the morning I got to spend a few minutes with the judges from Xfactor. L.A. Reid, Paula Adul and host Steve Jones were all on hand to talk about Simon Cowell’s new project that starts this month. Reid told me that he’s seen more great talent in one week than he used to see in a year as a record producer. Abdul echoed that sentiment and also said that she was thrilled to be back in the judges seat next to Simon. She says that it was exciting to be back but nerve wracking at the same time. I have a feeling that this show is going to do pretty well when it’s all said and done.

Next up I spoke with Renne Echevarrial and Brannon Braga, the two Executive Producers on Terra Nova. It’s the new big budget creature feature that transports a family from the future back into time 85 million years ago. Why? Because in 2149 humans have polluted the earth to the point that it can barely support life. So the only logical answer is to go back to the time when dinosaurs ruled and try to start fresh. I’ve seen the two hour premier and it looks promising. But science fiction is tricky and finding an audience for it will be tougher than just throwing out another reality series out there.

Finally I got hang out with Will Forte (SNL, McGrubber) who lends his voice to the new show Allen Gregory. It’s the story of a seven year old home schooled genius that suddenly finds himself in an average elementary school. French Stewart and Jonah Hill (as Allen) also star. Forte says that the talent is so good that sometimes they just go off the script and go nuts. Judging by the three minute trailer, it should be a strong contender for the Sunday Night Animation Domination lineup on Fox.

More to come from L.A. tomorrow.