Nick Ut, Associated Press 'American Idol' judges, from left, Randy Jackson, Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul speak to media at the Television Critics Association winter press tour in Los Angeles Monday. Click photo for larger image.

LOS ANGELES -- "American Idol" returns tonight at 8 on WPGH with a two-hour season premiere, and for Fox, it's not a moment too soon.

Ratings for Fox's prime-time lineup took a beating in the fourth quarter of 2004 as viewers rejected Fox's reality show offerings in favor of scripted series on rival networks.

Fox Entertainment president Gail Berman expressed optimism about a ratings rebound in the coming weeks, but she also lowered ratings expectations for this season's "American Idol" after ratings growth last year. The "Idol" judges promise viewers won't be disappointed.

"I think the talent this season is better than all three seasons put together," said judge Randy Jackson.

"This time you're going to have a tough time saying goodbye to these kids [as they're eliminated]," said host Paula Abdul. "There's something magical about this season."

Yeah, well, Donald Trump bragged that season two of "The Apprentice" was better than season one, and we all know that was not true. But at least Fox will be airing "Idol," a reality show of higher quality than, say, "Who's Your Daddy?"

Berman said "Who's Your Daddy?" -- a reality show in which a young woman attempts to pick her biological father from a group of men -- was not a mistake despite its low-rated broadcast earlier this month. She also said the five additional episodes that have been filmed will not air.

"One of the things we know about Fox and the Fox brand ... you can have 'The X-Files' and 'The Simpsons' on the one hand and 'Cops' and 'Alien Autopsy' on the other co-existing in healthy balance on the air," Berman said. "I think in the case of this fall, we drifted from the balance too much on the unscripted side. But I think the audience expects loud things from Fox. Sometimes they work magnificently; in this case they did not."

The supernatural drama "Tru Calling," which was renewed for 13 episodes and then saw its episode order cut to six, is likely to return "at some point." Berman said Fox's enthusiasm for "Tru" diminished not because of "Tru" but because the network thought "Point Pleasant," previewing at 9 p.m. tomorrow and premiering at 9 p.m. Thursday, would be a better fit with "The O.C." on Thursday nights.

"What changed for us was when we saw 'Point Pleasant,' we really felt we had a show that was incredibly compatible with 'The O.C.,'" Berman said.

Gotta admit, I was no big fan of "Tru Calling" (admittedly, I didn't see a whole lot of episodes after the pilot), but "Point Pleasant" is a much worse show that's doomed to fail.

Reality revival

Fox quickly canceled the "Which one's the gay guy?" show "Playing It Straight" last summer and more recently gave the hook to "My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss" before either series completed its run. Now dedicated viewers can see more episodes.

"Straight" can be viewed on a pay-per-view basis at www.fox.com/playingitstraight and "Boss" will be available free at www.fox.com/bigfat.

Fox announced the outcome of "Playing It Straight" on Fox.com last summer, so Berman said this is simply an experiment to see if anyone will pony up the bucks to watch the show online.

"The business model is not riding on it," she said. "It is an interesting way to see how people are interested in that."

Opportunity knocks?

It was about seven years ago that PBS appeared to be losing its exclusive grasp on cultural arts programming because of the invasion of cable networks. A&E was gobbling up classy dramas. Bravo had a niche in arts programming. BBC America was new to the scene, airing British dramas and sitcoms.

But the worm has turned again. Bravo got gobbled up by NBC Universal and is now the "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy/Girl" network. "MI-5" and an occasional quality movie aside, A&E has become the network of too many ugly reality shows in the same vein as "Growing Up Gotti." Last week BBC America executives recommitted to airing more dramas and comedies, but its current schedule is deluged with reality shows.

That would seem to leave an opening for PBS to recapture that niche. "American Masters" will become a weekly series in May, but PBS president Pat Mitchell said no special efforts are being made.

"You know what? It's the same answer, unfortunately, I have to give to almost everything: It's a matter of money."

PBS has yet to find a sponsor for "Masterpiece Theatre," which PBS has sponsored since that show's longtime sponsor, ExxonMobil, stopped funding the program last year.

Multiple 'Commandments'

The Ten Commandments are about to get a workout in the most ungodly of places: prime-time television.

ABC has commissioned producer Robert Halmi to make a four-hour, special effects-filled miniseries that recounts the tale of Moses and the commandments -- sort of a remake of the 1956 Charlton Heston movie, but with a greater emphasis on biblical and historical research.

Meanwhile, FX is developing a 10-part series executive produced by Steven Soderbergh and George Clooney that's contemporary, devoting each episode to a different commandment.

"These episodes will be set in contemporary America, encompassing all geographic, ethnic and socioeconomic segments of our society," said FX entertainment president John Landgraf. "In total they will provide an epic portrait of morality and spirituality in our country today."

Channel surfing

"American Dad," the new animated comedy from the creator of "Family Guy," will get a sneak preview following the Super Bowl on Feb. 6, paired with an original episode of "The Simpsons." "Dad" will have its series premiere at 9:30 p.m. May 1 after the season premiere of "Family Guy." ... Fox renewed "That '70s Show" for an eighth season. Neither Ashton Kutcher nor Topher Grace are signed as series regulars, but they may return as recurring guest stars. ... Reruns of "Murphy Brown" will air at 11:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 12:30 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays beginning Jan. 28 on Nick at Nite.