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The dustbowl economic climate has blown through American television. Money's too tight to mention at all the major networks – except Fox, which went all out to impress on the TV critics' tour. Even in bleak economic times, Rupert Murdoch's little network goes big or goes home.

By TV-tour custom, the No. 1 network receives the leadoff position, and Fox did not get where it is today by missing chances. Fox had one full day and one starry night to dazzle a captive press corps. It put the publicity machine at full throttle, the same way it used to when it was the fourth-place network.

And, if only for one day, this seemed like the TV tours of old, which felt good at a scaled-down affair that has got more press sessions squeezed into fewer days. Some broadcasters are barely making an effort: NBC booked only one-half of one afternoon to present its midseason offerings.

But now NBC is the fourth-place network. Fox is first and has the hottest shows on television, and came here to remind everyone of the fact. Fox banners were everywhere. The network swathed the hotel's main ballroom in billowing white curtains, and rolled in enormous video monitors. At each press seat was a notepad and a “green” pen, made from recycled cardboard.

Fox started its day with The Simpsons, which notches its 20th anniversary on the network this year. Actors were hired to wear foam costumes of the cartoon clan and pose for pictures. The Simpsons-themed breakfast featured waffles, burritos and pink-iced doughnuts.

While critics were still digesting, out bounded Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly, who made immediate reference to the fact that NBC and CBS have already reduced staff, and that cuts are pending at ABC. Don't wait for the same to happen at Fox, he said. “This company is committed to not making massive layoffs,” said Reilly, with great conviction. “None are in the works right now. We're a lean company in success, and that prepares us for hard times.”

That's all Reilly came to say, really. The other networks are hurting, but we're doing fine, thanks. Everything's coming up roses. It wasn't so much crowing as posturing.

In other news, Reilly made official Prison Break's cancellation at the end of this season – “The show's played out” – and referred to NBC's decision to air Jay Leno five nights a week in prime time as a “smart strategic move from them in a very troubled place.” Reilly was previously the entertainment boss at NBC.

Fox is among the few U.S. broadcasters willing to risk launching new series in this tough economy. The first sales pitch came for a crime procedural called Lie to Me, starring sort-of film star Tim Roth as a behavioural specialist who can tell whether a person is lying by closely watching movements of the hands, face and eyes.

Eight people joined Roth onstage to talk about the show, including the real-life man upon whom Roth's character is based. The collectively enthused bunch talked over each other, and Roth said he was now capable of reading people himself. Lie to Me has the benefit of airing in the post-American Idol time slot, which virtually guarantees viewer attention.

Next up: the durable 24, which commenced its four-hour seventh-season premiere only the night before. Co-executive producer and star Kiefer Sutherland was accompanied by several co-stars. Nobody on this panel was about to reveal any significant 24 plot developments – surely not a great idea for a real-time series – although Sutherland did defend the show's ongoing use of torture by his alter ego, Jack Bauer. “From my perspective, it has always been literally a dramatic device to show you the urgency of the situation, that there is just no alternative,” he said.

Then, back to the Fox future, with another themed meal, in this case, an extravagant high-calorie luncheon – fried chicken, mashed potatoes and Tater Tots – and a working session for a new show titled Sit Down, Shut Up. Based on an Australian hit, the animated series focuses on a handful of dysfunctional teachers at an inner-city high school, and comes from the makers of Arrested Development.

The vocal talent of Sit Down, Shut Up is supplied by former Development stars Jason Bateman and Canadian Will Arnett, who voice a gym coach and an English teacher, respectively. Co-creator Mitch Hurwitz described the series as “Valkyrie meets Hotel for Dogs.”

Then back to the bankable, with a panel for American Idol, which would make its debut that same evening. The Simon Cowell-free panel was really meant to introduce us to new judge Kara DioGuardi, a singer-songwriter, producer and long-time friend of Idol fixture Paula Abdul. DioGuardi rambled on about the days when she was a struggling artist and stayed at Abdul's house, “which always smells amazing.” The two held hands through most of the hour.

Then two new shows. The first was Osbournes: Reloaded, which Fox says will feature “audience interaction, raunchy comedy and stunts,” and will be hosted by the entire Osbourne clan – Ozzy, Sharon, Jack and Kelly. Next was Dollhouse, a sci-fi fantasy from Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon. TV critics looove Whedon, and several have already deemed the show the best thing on television. At least the ones here representing sci-fi websites have.

After the presentation for the next season of Rescue Me, which airs on the Fox-owned F/X network, the day closed on a strong point with an appearance from the entire cast of House, which ranks close to 24 as the most-watched drama on the network. The session highlight came from star Hugh Laurie, who revealed the secret of playing the permanently ill-tempered medical genius. “I suppose there's a big jerk inside of me,” he said. “There must be. That's the only explanation.”

Later on, Fox's traditional Winter All Star Party was held at a club called My House in downtown Hollywood, and most of the same talent from the daytime sessions attended, along with their publicists. It was quite the fancy affair, and also a rare opportunity to watch Abdul interact with real people, though one sharp-eyed scribe made an interesting observation: The food appeared to be the same stuff that was served for lunch. America's No. 1 network is not above using Tupperware in these tough times.