Last May Fox’s slate of new shows was surprisingly unfoxy. It included a sitcom about middle-aged news anchors, a legal drama and two cop shows, all of which sounded more at home on CBS than Fox, the youngest-skewing Big Four network.

Those shows have all been canceled. This year, Fox is getting back to its outrageous, sometimes obnoxious roots.

Its new schedule includes one tricky reality show, a pair of snide cartoons and two edgy dramas, much of it launching at midseason.

Only one of last year’s new scripted shows, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” will return, and just two new shows will be on the schedule this fall.

That’s in contrast to last season, when it had six new shows in the fall, and continues an overall trend this upfront of limited new-show roll outs for fall after the writers’ strike interrupted the development season.

The network touted its return to what entertainment president Kevin Reilly referred to as “noisy shows,” but Fox also emphasized year-round programming and a push toward developing new shows a full season or two in advance. Reilly promised that the network will have full episodes of new shows to screen for advertisers well ahead of next year’s upfront.

This year the network will hold off rolling out many of its new shows until midseason, relying on returning shows to draw viewers in the fall. That suggests that Fox feels confident about its fall schedule, and for the first time in years.

Typically, Fox tanks in the fall and then revives at midseason. Last fall it actually saw year-to-year fourth quarter improvement while the other networks slipped. It will also roll out much of its fall schedule in late August, giving it a jump on the other networks. It’s a strategy that has had mixed results in the past but one that the CW will also try.

The fall schedule leads off on Mondays with the combination of “Prison Break” and “Terminator” returning at 8 and 9 p.m.

Tuesdays “House” will move to 8 p.m. to help launch “Fringe,” from executive producer J.J. Abrams (“Lost”). The show has already garnered loads of online buzz, and Fox will start a marketing campaign for it this week.

Wednesdays will lead off with “Bones,” followed by a comedy block of “’Til Death” and the new show “Do Not Disturb” (formerly titled “The Inn”) at 9 and 9:30. The pilot was directed by “Arrested Development’s” Jason Bateman, who will also provide a voice on the midseason animated series “Sit Down Shut Up.”

Thursdays and Fridays get complete makeovers with “Moment of Truth,” this year’s top new show among 18-49s, taking the 8 p.m. Thursday slot, leading into “Kitchen Nightmares.” The old Thursday lineup of “Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?” and “Don’t Forget the Lyrics” moves to Friday.

Saturdays remain the same with “Cops” and “America’s Most Wanted.” Sundays also return intact this fall, with “The OT,” “The Simpsons,” “King of the Hill,” “Family Guy” and “American Dad.”

There will be a lot more changes at midseason, though Reilly emphasized that the network will be flexible depending on what has worked during the fall. He also said the network will likely order some more dramas, but it has not done so yet.

The new animated series “Sit” and “The Cleveland Show,” a “Family Guy” spinoff, will join the Sunday schedule, and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” creator Joss Whedon’s highly anticipated drama “Dollhouse” will lead off Mondays at 8 p.m., followed by the return of “24.” The latter will air a two-hour movie in November.

Another midseason show is “Secret Millionaire,” which will air with “Hell’s Kitchen” on Thursdays. The reality show might be called the anti-“Joe Millionaire.” Wealthy individuals go undercover as paupers making minimum wage, befriending fellow working class individuals. When the millionaires confess to their wealth at the end, they also award money to their most worthy friends.

Reilly also said there may be some adjustments to “American Idol” after the show saw ratings declines this season, but the network emphasized that oft-razzed judge Paula Abdul will return. “House” will move to Wednesdays at 8 at midseason, and the “Idol” results show will shrink from an hour to 30 minutes.

Fox will finish first among adults 18-49 for the fourth straight year this season, well ahead of second-place ABC and CBS, who have already announced their schedules.