Fox Banking on ‘Bones’ to Boost ‘Almost Human’ Launch (Exclusive)

Fox is hoping Bones viewers will tune in to Almost Human.

The network is debuting an extended first look of the new J.J. Abrams–J.H. Wyman sci-fi drama starring Karl Urban and Michael Ealy during the Oct. 21 episode of Bones, The Hollywood Reporter has learned exclusively.

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The first look, which airs at approximately 8:25 p.m. during new Bones episode “The Woman in White,” will feature never-before-seen footage from Almost Human, set 35 years in the future when Los Angeles Police Department officers are partnered with human-like androids. The move comes as the long-running procedural prepares to set up shop at 8 p.m. Fridays beginning Nov. 8, with Almost Human taking over Bones‘ 8 p.m. Monday perch.

Fox is also hoping for a major social media and digital push with the extended look running simultaneously across the network’s platforms, including Hulu, the Fox Now App, the official Facebook page, Twitter, the Almost Human website and Fox affiliate websites.

Additionally, a slew of Almost Human screenings will kick off Oct. 21 at the New York Television Festival and at the University of Southern California.

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Fox has heavily promoted the series during the MLB’s American League Championship Series between the Boston Red Sox and Detroit Tigers in hopes of attracting male viewers, much like how it marketed serial killer drama The Following last year, and has plans to continue the push throughout the World Series and NFL games as the premiere date nears.

Prolific producer/director Abrams has also done his part in touting the series, meeting with a handful of reporters at the Santa Monica headquarters of Bad Robot in late September. “What they’re dealing with in [Almost Human] is much more a cop show that you might feel is familiar, with a wrench thrown into that, with the huge adjustment being that the cases themselves aren’t what you’ve seen before,” he said.

Fox is hoping to go two-for-two with its freshmen dramas, coming off a successful launch for Sleepy Hollow, already renewed for a sophomore season.

Almost Human premieres Nov. 4 at 8 p.m. on Fox.

E-mail: Philiana.Ng@THR.com
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