Fox Sets 2026 Winter TV Schedule: ‘Fear Factor,’ ‘The Simpsons’ 800th Episode, and Patrick Dempsey’s New Drama Lead the Pack
- Je-Ree
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Fox is shaking up the small screen this winter, and honestly, we’re kind of living for the chaos. The network just revealed its Winter 2026 schedule, and it’s a mix of everything viewers love (and occasionally roll their eyes at) — competition shows, animated icons, fresh dramas, and a few surprise comebacks. With Johnny Knoxville hosting a brand new version of Fear Factor, Patrick Dempsey brooding in a dark thriller, and The Simpsons hitting its 800th episode, the Fox schedule is serving nostalgia, novelty, and more prime-time mayhem than one weeknight can handle.
The New Kids on the Fox Block
Let’s start with the newcomers, because Fox isn’t coasting on its veterans this time around. The network is launching several new scripted series, led by Memory of a Killer, a moody crime drama starring Patrick Dempsey (Grey’s Anatomy) and Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos). Yes, that’s McDreamy teaming up with Christopher Moltisanti. Expect intensity, grit, and at least one brooding close-up per commercial break. The series premieres on January 26, following the return of sci-fi thriller Extracted.
Earlier in the month, Fox introduces Best Medicine, a new medical drama debuting January 6. If you think the world doesn’t need another hospital-based series, you’re probably right, but Fox seems ready to prove otherwise. The network is pairing Best Medicine with Doc, which returns that same night, making Monday a double shot of stethoscopes and emotional breakdowns.
Then there’s Fear Factor: House of Fear, premiering January 14 with none other than Johnny Knoxville running the show. It’s Fear Factor meets Jackass, which honestly sounds exactly as terrifying and entertaining as you’d imagine. Expect bugs, heights, slime, and people regretting their life choices on national television.
Fox Winter 2026 Schedule At a Glance
Here’s how Fox’s new year lineup stacks up:
Fridays and Saturdays remain sports-heavy with Fox Sports Friday and Fox Sports Saturday running weekly.
The Simpsons’ 800th Episode and a Family Guy Milestone
If there’s one thing Fox knows, it’s how to celebrate its animation royalty. On February 15, The Simpsons will air its 800th episode, a staggering achievement that proves Springfield’s dysfunctional family still has plenty left in the tank. To make it even sweeter, Family Guy joins the party that night with its 450th episode. Between Homer’s eternal cluelessness and Peter Griffin’s unchecked chaos, Sunday nights are still the place to be for animation domination.
And don’t worry, American Dad! isn’t missing the fun. The long-running favorite returns February 22 for its 20th season, bringing Stan Smith and his dysfunctional household back to the front lines of Fox’s Sunday lineup. Universal Basic Guys also continues airing new episodes through February, adding another layer of absurd humor to an already stacked night.
The Verdict: Fox’s Winter 2026 Lineup is a Hot Mess We Can’t Wait to Watch
Fox has crafted a lineup that feels both nostalgic and unpredictable, leaning into the network’s signature blend of spectacle and satire. Whether you’re here for Patrick Dempsey’s serious face, Johnny Knoxville’s absurd stunts, or The Simpsons’ latest milestone, there’s something worth tuning in for.
So buckle up, set those DVRs, and prepare to juggle your watchlist.