TV’s midseason is all about second chances, pulling backups off the bench to fill in for fall’s failures. But January’s customary schedule changes are more notable for other moves.

Emily’s Reasons Why Not: Heather Graham stars in ABC comedy. ABC

After a flirtation with moving a weekly episode of American Idol to Thursdays - a crucial night for ad dollars - Fox kept the fifth installment of the series in its customary Tuesday-Wednesday rotation, at 8 ET/PT starting Jan. 17. (Wednesday’s results show shifts to 9 in late February.)

Fox’s decision freed NBC to take its own risk: moving lone new hit My Name Is Earl to Thursday, part of a two-hour comedy block aimed at giving the stalled network some momentum. "In January you do see a resetting of viewing habits," NBC Entertainment chief Kevin Reilly says.

A look at the new shows on tap for the new year (all times ET/PT):

NBC

• Four Kings, Thursdays at 8:30 (Jan. 5). Sitcom about four boyhood pals who move into together in one’s inherited Manhattan apartment. Seth Green and Josh Cooke co-star in the series, from the creators of Will & Grace.

New time slots

NBC: Will & Grace moves to Thursdays at 8 ET/PT (Jan. 5); My Name Is Earl and The Office to Thursdays at 9 and 9:30 (Jan. 5).

Fox: Bones to Wednesdays at 9 (Jan. 25); Trading Spouses to Fridays at 9 (Jan. 6);That ’70s Show and Stacked to Thursdays at 9 and 9:30 (March 2).

ABC: Hope & Faith to Fridays at 8:30 p.m. (Jan. 6).

Returnees

ABC: Jake in Progress, starring John Stamos, Mondays at 9:30 (Jan. 9); The Bachelor, Mondays at 10 (Jan. 9).

WB: Beauty and the Geek, to be announced.

On the bench

(Most are scheduled to return in March)

NBC: Joey and The Apprentice.

CBS: Out of Practice, Survivor and The Amazing Race.

Fox: Prison Break.

ABC: Supernanny.

UPN: America’s Next Top Model.

• The Book of Daniel, Fridays at 10 (Jan. 6). Family drama about an Episcopalian priest who pops painkillers and talks to Jesus. Stars Aidan Quinn, Susanna Thompson and Ellen Burstyn.

ABC

• Dancing with the Stars, Thursdays and Fridays at 8 (Jan. 5). Summer’s only hit returns for a second eight-week do-si-do, pairing celebrities with dancers, this time adding a half-hour results show.

• In Justice, Fridays at 9 (Jan. 6). A team of lawyers tries to overturn wrongful convictions in this legal drama inspired by true stories. Kyle MacLachlan and Jason O’Mara star.

• Emily’s Reasons Why Not, Mondays at 9 (Jan. 9). Heather Graham stars as a successful publisher who chooses an organized way to make romantic choices in this comedy based on the book.

• Crumbs, Thursdays at 9:30 (Jan. 12). A failed Hollywood writer (The Wonder Years’ Fred Savage) returns home to help his brother run the family business and contend with their crazy mother (Jane Curtin) and philandering dad (William Devane). It’s a comedy.

CBS

• Love Monkey, Tuesdays at 9 (Jan. 17). Tom Cavanagh (Ed) stars as a young, single record-company executive in search of love and career success in this romantic dramedy. Jason Priestley co-stars.

• The Jenna Elfman Show, Mondays at 9:30 (Jan. 23). Dharma joins Greg (Criminal Minds’ Thomas Gibson) on CBS’ lineup in this sitcom about a successful lawyer who seeks true love.

Fox

• Skating with Celebrities, Mondays at 8 (Jan. 23, after a Jan. 18 premiere). Dancing with the Stars on ice, with quasi-celebrities including Deborah Gibson, Todd Bridges and Kristy Swanson.

UPN

• South Beach, Wednesdays at 9 (Jan. 11). Two best friends head for Miami Beach in this drama featuring Vanessa L. Williams.

• Get This Party Started, Tuesdays at 9 (Jan. 24). An "elite" team of party planners works with family and friends to surprise celebrants.