Fox's Michael Thorn on that '9-1-1' renewal delay, no more 'Lone Star' crossovers and what it's like to attract talent with Fox News as a sibling network

The fall TV season is upon us and Fox is kicking things off with the returns of "9-1 -1", "The Resident" "The Cleaning Lady" and its iconic Sunday animation block, as well as the debut of country music drama "Monarch" by Susan Sarandon and Trace Adkins and an eye on more scripted content to come.

Although Fox won't be home to the "Ally McBeal" reboot or the "Married… With Les "Children" animated series, both ongoing projects based on titles hailing from Fox, and still going low-key over several seasons of Disney-owned "The Simpsons," Variety has found plenty to chat with Fox Entertainment President of Entertainment Michael Thorn related to the broadcaster's day of panels during the Television Critics Association's virtual press tour on Wednesday.

Since that "9-1-1"/"Lone Star" renewal last spring to conclude deals with top talent who have different political leanings from sister channel Fox News, here's what Thorn had to say.

We heard rumors that 20th Television was in talks to move "9-1-1 to ABC, its sister network, for Season 6 — and that's what led to this last-minute renewal of “9-1-1,” but not “Lone Star,” in premieres. Is there any truth in that?

I should believe that all networks would want "9-1-1", if they have it could afford it. It is one of the most important shows on television. But really, the truth is that this is an old-fashioned, tight-knit negotiation that, like many of these negotiations, literally comes down to the last second. And in the case of "9-1-1", it was actually a second after the last second. It actually closed as I walked into our front. It was just a case of old-fashioned negotiation with a third party on a hit show that went down the wire. Everyone involved believes it's always in the interest of the show, and therefore the creators and talent, to stay on the platform you were born on, and so that was always the goal. There was no threat of moving him to ABC, and it was just a very thoughtful negotiation on a show important to both companies.

Where are you at with Elizabeth Banks' "Flintstones" "Bedrock" animated spin-off series?

On "Bedrock" we haven't voiced yet, but we are in the process of voice casting for the presentation we are doing with Warner Animation.

Do you want to stream Tubi originals on Fox linear?

Yes. There isn't one specifically yet that we've identified to say any of the movies could premiere on Tubi and have a window. But it's absolutely a possibility and something we've talked about, we just have to find the right one. With MarVista being one of Tubi's main suppliers and being a new but great piece in Fox Entertainment's capabilities, I expect to do things - both in long form and hopefully in series with MarVista also. I anticipate there will be overlaps in the relationships between the companies, but we have yet to identify the first one.

Are you struggling to attract talent and land one of the new direct deals made by Fox Entertainment with creators due to your connection with Fox News under the same parent company?

Not at all. What's great is that most of the creative community is acutely aware that we're very much separated com...