Having secured another season of "The X-Files" — albeit with David Duchovny in only about half the episodes — Fox is delving further into science fiction.
The network has announced three new sci-fi hours for the fall and three more for midseason, part of a major revamping of its schedule. Fully half of Fox's prime-time slate is changing.
Fox's new hourlong shows are:
Dark Angel (Tuesdays, 9 p.m.) is James Cameron's ("Titanic") post-apocalyptic adventure about a genetically enhanced woman battling a totalitarian government.
Fearsum (Fridays, 7 p.m.), from the producers of "The Blair Witch Project," is about a young guy who investigates paranormal mysteries via the Internet.
Night Visions (Fridays, 8 p.m.) is an anthology horror show along the lines of "Twilight Zone."
Boston Public (Mondays, 8 p.m.) is the latest from producer David E. Kelley ("Ally McBeal," "The Practice") — an ensemble drama about high school teachers.
The $treet (Wednesdays, 8 p.m.) is an ensemble drama from Darren Star ("Sex and the City," "Melrose Place") set on Wall Street.
And Fox's new comedies are:
Don't Ask (Wednesdays, 7 p.m.), which stars John Goodman ("Roseanne") as a gay father sharing a house with his divorced, single-father buddy.
Schimmel (Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m.) stars comic Robert Schimmel as an acerbic family man.
Among Fox's midseason projects is the "X-Files" spinoff The Lone Gunmen and a yet-to-be announced Michael Crichton project, which are both scheduled to air on Thursday nights beginning in early 2001.
Fox also announced six other replacement series. Three are dramas — Celebrity is an ensemble drama about six people who are at various stages of fame; Killer App is a drama set inside the competitive high-tech world of business; and Ultraviolet is a sci-fi series about a cop who uncovers an underground world of vampires. And three are comedies — Grounded for Life is about an offbeat family; Live Girls is about a group of twentysomething women; and The Tick, is a live-action show based on the animated series.
Among the shows that won't be returning to Fox are "Beverly Hills, 90210," "Family Guy," "Get Real," "Harsh Realm," "Party of Five" and "Time of Your Life."
MEANWHILE, AT UPN: The United Paramount Network, having found success with WWF wrestling, is adding two more male-appeal shows as well as a pair of comedies. (Only one of the sitcoms is new, however — UPN picked up ABC castoff "The Hughleys.")
The new hourlong shows are:
Freedom (Fridays, 7 p.m.) is a martial arts/action show from producer Joel Silver ("The Matrix" and "Lethal Weapon") about a "relentless band of guerillas" battling for freedom in a near-future America ruled by a military junta.
Level 9 (Fridays, 8 p.m.) is an hour about a top secret group battling high-level crime.
UPN's new comedy is Girlfriends (Tuesdays, 8:30 p.m.), about four friends who both battle and support one another.
For midseason, UPN has All Souls, a horror show about three young doctors battling supernatural evil at a haunted hospital; Special Unit 2, a sci-fi detective show about cops investigating paranormal crimes; Out of Bounds, a sketch comedy show; and Gary & Mike, a Claymation series about two hapless Gen Y guys.
UPN axed "The Beat," "Dilbert," "Grown-ups," "Malcolm & Eddie," "Secret Agent Man," "Shasta McNasty" and "The Strip."