Is 'American Idol' making Fox lazy? Case in point - 'New Amsterdam'

What is the relationship between "American Idol" and an immortal cop? They share more of a connection that you might think.

“New Amsterdam” is the latest in a long line of pallid, forgettable Fox dramas. (The show, by the way, premieres 8 p.m. Tuesday on WFLD-Ch. 32, and also airs 8 p.m. Thursday before settling in moves to its regular 8 p.m. Monday slot.)

“American Idol” has raked in untold billions for Fox. As a result, the network has gotten noticeably lax in its development of new shows - and its few dependable veterans are also wearing thin. Sure, “House” is terrific, but the medical drama (which returns in late April) is the exception. And besides, it debuted four years ago.

The usually enjoyable “24” was not up to snuff in its most recent season (and even if it returns to form in Season 7, the thriller is not coming back until early 2009). “Prison Break” has become an overly convoluted mess (and if you’re wondering if whether that is coming back next season, there’s no official word yet).

As for newer Fox offerings, do you recall “Justice,” “Standoff,” “Vanished” or “Happy Hour”? Are you deeply enthralled in “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” which, in my opinion, hasn’t remotely delivered on its potential? Were you intrigued by even moderately interesting Fox recent shows such as “K-Ville” and “Drive”? Well, that’s too bad because they (like so many Fox shows) met relatively quick deaths.

I’d like to be able to tell you that “New Amsterdam” — and the upcoming Fox programs “Canterbury’s Law” and “The Return of Jezebel James” — are the exceptions to the rule that most of the network’s shows are lazily constructed, highly derivative time-wasters.

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