Instead, the first episode of the second season will hit the airwaves on December 30, which is several days before premiering its regular time slot on Thursdays.
The Orville is the first of Fox’s midseason shows to hit the airwaves, but it won’t debut in its regular time slot.
The special premiere could be a sign that Fox hopes to increase the show’s audience by attracting some football fans.
Seth MacFarlane revealed that each episode of the second season “feels like a movie” and be “more comfortable in its footing.”