This week has been a rough week for TV fans, as is always the case leading up to the networks’ annual upfronts, a time when the networks present their upcoming fall schedules and advertising packages to advertisers. Ahead of the upfronts, networks are finally forced to weigh in on the fates of their various shows. This usually means cancellations of many hit shows, but thankfully, it can also bring about renewals as well, and that was the case for two of FOX’s hit live-action comedies!
In looking ahead to the 2025-26 season, FOX has renewed its two live-action comedies, Animal Control and Going Dutch, for a fourth and second season, respectively. This ensures the shows will be coming back next season as FOX continues to put a focus on comedy as the network with the most comedies on its slate between its live-action and adult animation favorites.
Truthfully, Animal Control was always expected to be renewed as the show has been a strong performer for FOX, and it’s a FOX-owned show, which can often be a deciding factor in a show’s fate. Many shows from outside studios are finding themselves on the cutting room floor due to rising licensing costs, so shows that are in-house tend to have better odds for renewal. It also helps that Animal Control is a strong performer for the network and its ratings rise nicely with delayed viewing.
Going Dutch was a bit more of a surprise as the freshman comedy started strong before falling off in the ratings as the season unfolded. The show happens to also be a FOX-owned property, and that is likely what led the network to renew the show and give it the chance to build out its audience.
FOX’s renewal of the two shows has been a nice change of pace in a week that has brought about many shocking and unexpected cancellations. While FOX put faith in its two comedies, NBC pulled the plug on half of its comedy slate. Of NBC’s four comedies, the only shows that will be returning are the network’s new series Happy’s Place and St. Denis Medical, with Night Court and Lopez vs. Lopez both being canceled.
This is a concerning trend across broadcast where there seem to be fewer and fewer comedies in the mix across networks. Thankfully, while networks like NBC seem to be scaling back on its comedies, FOX continues to put a focus on comedy with its renewals.
FOX does still have a few shows on the bubble waiting to learn their fate, including two animated comedies with The Great North and Grimsburg both on the bubble alongside dramas Accused, Alert, and The Cleaning Lady. It’ll be interesting to see how many of these shows get renewed and which end up on the growing list of canceled shows. For now, we’re just thankful that FOX is putting faith in comedies when so many other networks seem to be scaling back on their comedy slates.