Traffic Light

The 2011 upfronts (a week where each major TV network unveils its official Fall lineup) doesn't begin until next week, but Fox is getting an early start on its announcements. The network has revealed its plan to cancel five current shows: Lie to Me, Traffic Light, The Chicago Code, Breaking In, and Human Target. All of those shows were on the bubble, so it's no major surprise that they won't be returning next year. (In case you missed it, Fox has renewed Fringe, Glee, House, Bones, Family Guy and The Cleveland Show).

As always, upfronts mean out with the old and in with the new, and the network has greenlit a handful of pilots to take the place of the shows that have been axed. To read more about those, just read more

Fox made sure to add some laughs to the Winter TCA, and the cast and crew of new series Traffic Light did just that. The actors, including David Denman and Liza Lapira, joined the show's producers to talk about the relationship comedy's angle, the characters, and the midseason TV shows that are bringing them some healthy competition.

• David Denman, best known as Roy from The Office, credited his former show for where he is now, saying that he "learned so much watching on that set from people like Steve Carell." As for his new role of Mike, the married friend in the group, Denman says he's "trying to be the best father, husband, friend, employee . . ." and the show revolves around how he and the other characters try to "carve a little time to continue those relationships."
• Executive producers Bob Fisher and David Hemingson talked about the genesis of the show's concept. Adapted from an Israeli show, Hemingson said they're invested in "grounding their show in as much reality as possible." Fisher said he has watched a lot of other relationship comedies, but they were "reflecting relationships I didn't have," while the characters "seemed like people I didn't know."
• Though the cast and crew conceded that they didn't know why it was such a hot time for relationship comedies (Perfect Couples and Happy Endings are also launching this midseason), Fisher said that he hasn't seen the other competing series yet, but prior to now, "so many [relationship comedies] seemed bad." The one area Traffic Light is dominating in? Height — the three male leads Denman, Nelson Franklin, and Kris Marshall are all over six foot two. "We can win at basketball," Fisher joked.
• The traffic light symbolism is all over the place, including in each character's relationship status. The showrunners explained that Mike is red since he's married, Adam (Franklin) is yellow since he's slowing down and moving in with his girlfriend, and Ethan (Marshall) is green since he's single. Moreover, the producers think of the driving and traffic element as more than metaphor, saying that they realized they spend so much time talking to their friends and loved ones in their cars, and thus, growing their relationships while driving around.

Stay tuned to BuzzSugar for more from the Winter TCA all week!

TV is about to get a much-needed refresh with a new crop of midseason shows to wake up your DVR. Before everything premieres, I'm introducing you to the freshman series, one at a time, with my pilot scoops and a new series guide. Today's pick is Fox's comedy Traffic Light.

What it's about: The relationship comedy revolves around three male best friends and their respective love lives. Mike (The Office's David Denman) is married with a baby, Adam (Nelson Franklin) has just moved in with his girlfriend, and Ethan (Kris Marshall, who you'll recognize from Love Actually) is the incorrigible bachelor.

Where it works: The three male leads have great chemistry together, and they're all endearing as guys who want to please their mates but maintain their friendship.

Where it doesn't: The relationship gags in the pilot are so clichéd and borderline sexist — they're mostly based on the conceit that guys want to have fun while their female mates want to rein them in. And frankly, it needs to be funnier to differentiate itself from midseason's other relationship comedies like Perfect Couples.

Am I hooked? I'm on the fence; I wasn't dying to watch another episode, but the cast has a lot of potential.

When is it on? Tuesday, Feb. 8 at 9:30 p.m. on Fox.

To see some pics and a preview clip of Traffic Light, just read more