Fox has already made it clear it will air all 13 episodes ordered for a second season of Joss Whedon's "Dollhouse." But they never said it would be during key periods ... like November sweeps.

The network will pull "Dollhouse" off the air following its Oct. 23 episode, and will keep the show off the air until December. When it does return, Fox plans to let "Dollhouse" be a lead-in to itself, airing six episodes back-to-back through the end of the year.

Is this a way for Fox to burn off the remaining episodes of "Dollhouse" before it starts its traditionally high-rated spring campaign? You betcha.

"Dollhouse" is averaging a 1.5 rating/3 share in overnight ratings through its first three episodes, which puts it in line with what The CW typically draws. "Dollhouse," as well as the comedy block lead-in of "Brothers" and "Til Death" has been a weight on Fox's weekly ratings, bringing them down as much as a half-point in some cases.

"Dollhouse" already had a poor showing in the first season, enough to have everyone but Airlock Alpha and Fox giving its eulogy. But the numbers this season have shown Fox why it probably should've did what everyone said in the first place.

It's not clear whether it's the show's fault. Many critics have praised the writing and quality of episodes this season. However, no one seems to watch Fox on Friday night, choosing instead to pick up other networks like CBS, or actually go outside and do something that doesn't involve their television.

Where "Dollhouse" should compete with shows like "Medium" on CBS, it instead is trying to fight "Smallville" on The CW for who will end up in last place. "Smallville," which also has been struggling in the ratings since its move to Fridays, actually beat "Dollhouse" Oct. 2, and tied it Oct. 9.

"Dollhouse" didn't air last week because of Major League Baseball playoffs, but will air its fourth episode Oct. 23. After that, new episodes won't start again until Dec. 4, where it will move to 8 p.m. so that Fox can show back-to-back episodes.

Once that is complete, Fox will have just three episodes remaining after the first of the year, and it's not quite clear if they will pick up again just ahead of "American Idol's" premiere, or if Fox will scatter it across the spring schedule.

In either case, it can't be good news for "Brothers" or "Til Death," Fox's Friday comedy lineup that just never worked. "Brothers" has been moved to Sundays at 7, which really isn't a bad move to them, while "Til Death" hasn't been given a new spot on the schedule, and may never return.

"Dollhouse" airs Fridays a 9 p.m. ET on Fox.