According to EW's Michael Ausiello, FOX has stepped up and made the first cut this fall season by canceling the new Jerry O’Connell and Niecy Nash series, Do Not Disturb, which aired for a mere three episodes.  The series garnered insufficient ratings for it to survive the airwaves.  The timeslot of the canceled show will then be replaced by ‘Til Death reruns as of the moment.

While some point out that the content of the series was the main reason why it was axed, some also say that it was pointless to not air the pilot on its debut on September 10.  The production decided to air an episode that wasn’t the premiere of the season, but it garnered disappointing ratings anyway.

The newest FOX sitcom Do No Disturb is full of potential. Premiering tonight at 9:30pm, Do Not Disturb is created by Abraham Higginbottom, a writer/producer from Arrested Development. With that pedigree, you might expect something more than another crude, off-color traditional sitcom. But based on the pilot (both the one that will air tonight, and the original which was entirely reshot), Do Not Disturb will need a lot of time, work and patience for it to live up to its creator.

The problem is not with the stars, and when BuddyTV spoke to Jerry O'Connell and Niecy Nash, that became readily apparent. The two have a surprisingly natural chemistry, playing off each other with reckless abandon. They may seem like polar opposites, but watching them interact is enough to give you hope that Do Not Disturb could be a lot better than it is.

A day away from its premiere on Fox, critics haven't been kind to the new sitcom Do Not Disturb (Wednesday, 9:30pm).  The series is a workplace comedy about an upscale New York City hotel and its employees who are supposedly too promiscuous for their own good.

Starring Jerry O'Connell as Neal, the general manager, Niecy Nash as Rhonda Peet, Molly Stanton as Nicole, and Jesse Ferguson as Larry, Do Not Disturb has been panned and described by something as harsh as “"it made my soul vomit” courtesy of Chicago Tribune's Maureen Ryan.

For exclusive on-set videos and hot features on the new TV season, check out BuddyTV's Fall 2008 Preview.

Network: FOX

Premiere: Wednesday, September 10, 9:30pm

Cast: Jerry O'Connell, Niecy Nash, Jolene Purdy, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Molly Stanton

Premise: An upscale New York City hotel is run by an egotistical ladies man (O'Connell) who butts heads with the brash woman who operates the day-to-day operations of the maintenance staff.

Dave Franco, younger brother of actor James Franco,  will appear on Fox's new comedy Do Not Disturb as a series regular, playing Gus, a roadie for a rock band who gets deserted at the hotel and taken in by the gang.

Franco, who turned 23 last June 12, will join the cast of the hotel-based comedy which stars Niecy Nash and Jerry O'Connell.

FOX is the most creative network around.  You might hate some of the shows it produces (cough The Moment of Truth cough), but you have to give FOX props for the way it creates its schedule.  If there is a new series the network is proud of, FOX promotes the hell out of it, and often premiere it after a veteran, highly rated series for good measure.  Thanks to American Idol, FOX constructs two very distinct Fall and Winter/Spring seasons, dodging the inclination to air most of its big shows year-round.  FOX has embraced the idea of airing its serial dramas with little or no breaks.  Today, FOX released the schedule for their Fall premieres.  There are a handful of two-hour premieres planned, including one for the most highly-anticipated new series of the Fall, the J.J. Abrams produced Fringe.