Network television begins its 2026-27 season during the week of September 27. The schedule features the return of long-running staples like The Simpsons on Fox and a continuation of the Scrubs reboot on ABC.
The Simpsons Season 38 and the British Author Plot
Fox will anchor its Sunday night comedy block with the season 38 premiere of The Simpsons on September 27 at 8 p.m. ET. According to the report, the premiere episode, titled "The Children's Book Job," features guest appearances by Colin Jost and Emma Thompson. The plot centers on Marge's attempt to revitalize the Springfield Elementary book fair by inviting a renowned British author, a plan that predictably falters when Homer is tasked with the airport pickup .
The placement of The Simpsons remains a strategic pillar for Fox, as the show follows the network's standard Sunday night NFL programming. By utilizing this high-traffic window, Fox ensures that its most enduring animated hit maintains a massive lead-in for the rest of its comedy lineup.
Joel McHale's Animal Control and the Seahawks Mascot Mission
Following The Simpsons, Fox will air the season 5 premiere of Animal Control at 8:30 p.m . ET on September 27. The series stars Joel McHale as Frank Shaw, a cynical officer navigating a chaotic workplace. As reported, the season 5 opener involves Frank leading a work stoppage before pivoting the team toward a high-stakes mission to rescue the missing mascot of the Seattle Seahawks.
The ensemble cast, which includes Grace Palmer as Victoria Sands and Ravi V. Patel as Amit Patel, helps the show maintain its position as one of Fox's most successful live-action sitcoms. While it may not dominate social media discourse, its consistent performance in the Sunday slot makes it a reliable asset for the network's comedy strategy.
The 10-Episode Scrubs Revival and the Nostalgia Play
ABC is leainng heavily into nostalgia with the return of the Scrubs reboot on Wednesday, September 30, at 8 p.m. ET. The second season of the revival will open with two episodes and consists of a 10-episode order. The narrative focuses on J.D. Dorian, played by Zach Braff, who has transitioned from a resident to a leader at Sacred Heart hospital, while navigating a divorced relationship with Dr. Elliot Reid, played by Sarah Chalke.
This revival is part of a broader industry trend where networks return to "safe" intellectual property to combat the volatility of streaming audiences. By bringing back core cast members like Donald Faison as Christopher Turk and John C .. McGinley as Dr. Perry Cox—whose character faces a new autoimmune disease diagnosis this season—ABC is betting that established emotional bonds will drive linear viewership more effectively than original pilots.
Shark Tank Season 18's Milestone and Unconfirmed Details
The Wednesday night slate on ABC concludes with a two-episode premiere of Shark Tank on September 30 at 9 p.m. ET. The report notes that season 18 marks a significant milestone for the business reality series, continuing its streak as one of the network's most durable competition formats.
However, several key details remain unverified in the current reporting. It is still unknown if season 18 will introduce new "sharks" to the panel or if there are changes to the pitching format. Additionally, the source does not specify what the "significant milestone" entails beyond the season number, leaving viewers to wonder if the show is celebrating a specific anniversary or a viewership record.
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