Last summer, when the nation’s TV critics gathered for their biannual press tour, the major conversation was about the departure of Simon Cowell from “American Idol” and how would the Fox television network manage to keep its signature show vital, entertaining and compelling.

The 10th season of “American Idol” has just launched, with new judges Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.

From a talent perspective, Aerosmith frontman Tyler and notable singer Lopez are a good fit for a show that seeks out new musical stars.

However, I still can’t figure out why Ryan Seacrest is the host. His production company is responsible for foisting “Keeping up with the Kardashians” on us, and this alone should lead to his permanent ban from any spot on television.

At the January press tour, Fox’s President of Entertainment, Kevin Reilly, had little to say about his network’s most popular shows, “American Idol” or “Glee,” for that matter.

Well, Peter Rice, Fox’s chairman of entertainment, responded to a question about whether Jennifer Lopez was picked to be an “Idol” judge because of her international following that would help tap into the Hispanic market.

After saying “no,” he added that the network thought “Jennifer would be fantastic.”

To elaborate a bit more, Rice observed that because “Idol” is a music show in which “there’s real chemistry there and great music credibility” between Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez.

Oddly enough, Rice and Reilly answered a lot more questions, or so it seemed, about the dismal failure of “Lone Star,” which everyone except a handful of TV critics has already forgotten.

Starting off the midseason for the Fox schedule is “Bob’s Burgers,” an animated series that fits within the network’s realm of such shows as “The Simpsons” and the now-departed “King of the Hill.”

As the title implies, the comedy series is about Bob, his family and the eponymous burger joint, one which has problems with the health department and the mishaps that come from running afoul of child labor laws.

Bob is voiced by H. Jon Benjamin, whose distinctive speech is easily recognized for giving voice to the titular character in “Archer,” an animated series on the FX network.

The role of Bob’s wife is voiced by John Roberts – yes, you’re reading that correctly, a man is impersonating the lead female character.

Fox’s next new comedy to launch in early February is “Traffic Light,” a show that has nothing to do with travel other than the fact that the characters like to discuss their relationships and romances while driving around town.

The series centers on three longtime buddies – Mike (David Denman), Adam (Nelson Franklin) and Ethan (Kris Marshall) – and their attempts to navigate the demands of their relationships.

A married lawyer devoted to his wife and young son, Mike desperately carves out space for himself, usually hiding out in his car so he can talk to his buddies.

Adam is coping with his girlfriend having just moved in. The perpetual bachelor, Ethan loves women, but never more than three weeks at a time.

“Traffic Light” treads no new ground, because we’ve seen it in “Friends” and countless other sitcoms about couples.

Shawn Ryan, creator of “The Shield,” is the creative force behind “The Chicago Code,” a compelling new police drama that also begins in early February.

Shot entirely in the Windy City, this show follows powerful and respected cops as they traverse the city’s underbelly to fight crime and expose corruption within Chicago’s notorious political machine.

The fast-paced series centers on Jarek Wysocki (Jason Clarke), a local legend and veteran of the police force, who has tremendous influence due to his connections with Teresa Colvin (Jennifer Beals), his ex-partner and the city’s first female superintendent.

The pair will stop at nothing to bring down their powerful adversaries, including Alderman Ronin Gibbons (Delroy Lindo), a politician who rules his ward with a velvet glove.

Jarek works the streets to not only clean up the corrupt system but to also avenge his brother’s murder.

“The Chicago Code” looks very promising, and if it were airing on cable, it would be way more intense.

More than anything, I am looking forward to the off-beat workplace comedy, “Breaking In,” starring Christian Slater, of all people, as the head of a high-tech security firm. Unfortunately, we have to wait until early April for the series to begin.

Slater’s company takes extreme and often questionable methods to sell its protection services.

Christian Slater’s Oz is a man of mystery and master of manipulation. In the series’ pilot, Oz takes unorthodox measures to hire his newest recruit, Cameron (Bret Harrison), a slacker at the local university who uses his computer skills to provide students with high marks in order to profit handsomely.

Other members of the odd squad include Melanie (Odette Yustman) and Cash (Alphonso McAuley).

“Breaking In” has the promise of being a thoroughly wacky and out of the ordinary comedy.

Later this spring, Fox will take the unusual measure of airing a two-hour series preview of a show that won’t even premiere until next fall.

“Terra Nova” follows an ordinary family on an incredible journey back in time to prehistoric Earth as a small part of a daring experiment to save the human race.

The series centers on the Shannon family as they join the Tenth Pilgrimage of setters to Terra Nova.

Steven Spielberg is one of a dozen executive producers for this adventure series, and his involvement alone might just sell the program.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.