Tag Archives: Fringe

‘Fringe’ showrunners discuss the return of Peter Bishop

November 4, 2011Television, VideoFOX, Fringe, Fringe promo, Fringe showrunners, interview, J.H. Wyman, Jeff Pinkner, TV promoScott Meisner

Take 2. Due to the World Series airing on FOX last Friday, the next pivotal episode of Fringe–you know, the one where Peter Bishop comes back into existence and reunites with his partner Olivia and father Walter–was pushed to the following week. Well, I am excited to report that a week’s time has indeed past and the episode titled “Novation” will air tonight! Before watching tonight’s installment, take a moment to hear what Fringe showrunners J.H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner have to say about the return of the younger Bishop. “What are the consequences of Peter being back?” posits Pinkner. Tune in to find out.

Fringe airs Friday nights at 9PM on FOX. Bonus video after the break! Continue reading ‘Fringe’ showrunners discuss the return of Peter Bishop →

‘Fringe’ prepares you to “witness the return” of Peter

October 23, 2011Television, VideoFOX, Fringe, Fringe teaser, teaser, TV teaserScott Meisner

Fringe fans, check out this new teaser video released by the top-notch marketing team at FOX. At the conclusion of last week’s episode “Subject 9” Peter Bishop finally returned into the fold with a (literal) splash. The show is taking a break this week and when it returns Friday October 28 at 9PM we will “witness the return” of Peter into the lives of all the characters who forgot he ever existed, namely his Fringe division partner-turned-lover Olivia Dunham and his estranged father Walter Bishop. In the clip embedded above you will see some brand new footage from next week’s ep “Novation” and if you’re slick you might just be able to catch the series of shots that fly by at the end. Now everybody say it with me: Welcome back, Peter.

FRINGE FRIDAY returns tonight at 9PM on FOX

September 23, 2011Comics, Images, News, Televisioncomic books, Comics, DC Comics, DC Entertainment, FOX, Fringe, Fringe season 4, reminder, TV reminderScott Meisner

The wait is finally over. Fringe begins its fourth season tonight on FOX. And the question on everybody’s mind is Where is Peter Bishop? Though showrunners J.H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner would never spoil that for fans, they did talk with the press recently to ramp up excitement for the new season. Here are some choice quotes for you to munch on before things get rolling at 9PM.

Wyman and Pinkner went back and forth reiterating the importance of Peter. Wyman: “Just because he [Peter] doesn’t exist doesn’t mean that those three years we’ve invested all didn’t happen. It did happen. And it will all unfold itself for you to understand what context I’m speaking.” Pinkner: “Look, Peter is part of the DNA of the show. We’ve done some pretty crazy things in the past where people were always like, ‘Well, wait a minute. Why are they doing that? What’s going on?’ Hopefully in season four, people will trust us enough to realize that we are doing things for a reason. To sort of have Fringe without Peter in some way, shape or form is really not Fringe…The show constantly tries to recontectualize your perception of this story…The idea that Peter is gone — and, ultimately, he’s not permanently gone — is an opportunity to recontectualize the story and what we’ve seen again. It’s something we love to play with.”

Wyman explained that the new season will tell a story about “how are these universes going to work together to heal their joint damage now that they have a means to do so…This offered us a good opportunity to…watch how the two Olivias are looking at problems very differently. It goes back to our major theme: Our experiences are who we are.” Standalone Fringe cases will take place in our universe, the alt-universe, and some will overlap in both universes over the course of the season.

The duo went on to give hints about else we can expect from the upcoming season.

Pinkner talked about now-series regular Seth Gabel, who plays Lincoln Lee. “We’re kind of in love with the theme of having this guy come in and have to go into a very strange world and [realize] that everything he thought was true is no longer valid. He’s going to have to put back together a psyche that has been sort of fractured by this knowledge that he really shouldn’t have.” Added Wyman, “He brings us a certain thematic element that we really needed to tell this year. A lot of the things his character will be going through will help us tell our story. One of the themes we’re really interested in getting into this year is the impact we have on each other’s lives. We’re defined by the connections we make, and who we know, and who knows us, and how we define other people.”
“There will be returning faces,” Pinkner said. “We hate to spoil things, but there will be characters that you’ll be delighted to see again, hopefully some that you’ll be surprised to see again, and some you may have seen before that come back in a completely different context.”
The opening title sequence is a new color: orange! “The significance of the color is simply just to put out the notion that this is the universe without Peter in it.” “It’s a different chapter,” added Wyman.
“Walternate, despite all promises to the contrary, is still a bad guy manipulating things behind the scenes. So that’s another story we’re going to be delving into,” said Wyman.
Hope you enjoyed season two’s “Brown Betty” musical and season three’s “LSD” animation trip because Wyman hints there’s another episode coming up “that’s off the beaten track.”
Get ready for some super freaky cases this year. Shares Wyman, “We have a slew of really crazy, hopefully thought-provoking, far-out cases that deal with time travel, out-of-control biology, and humans who either for very understandable and sometimes not so understandable reasons, are messing with the rules of nature and the rules of physics. This year…more than any other year, we have some mind-blowing standalone stories. Because ‘over there’ is so messed up, and over here is a little suspicious as well right now, it gives us carte blanche to push our imaginations to the hilt and see some really cool things realized.”

And there you have it. Fringe season four is ready to fire on all cylinders. Before it begins, take the time to watch FOX’s 12-part recap series “Past + Present + Future” on YouTube. Whether you’re new to the series or just want to brush up on everything Fringe, these collection of videos will take you on an exciting journey spanning all three seasons of the fantastic sci-fi series. Prepare for your mind to be blown.

Bonus! Look after the break to learn about the brand new DC Comic based on the show Beyond the Fringe.

[Via EW; TVLine] Continue reading FRINGE FRIDAY returns tonight at 9PM on FOX →

FOX prez Kevin Reilly on the future of ‘Fringe’, ‘House’, ‘Breaking In’, ‘Glee’, ‘Touch’

August 9, 2011News, TelevisionBreaking In, FOX, FOX entertainment president, Fringe, Glee, House, Kevin Reilly, press tour, TCA, TCAs, Television Critics Association, touch, Touch TV showScott Meisner

This month at the Television Critics Association press tour, FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly shared his thoughts on some of the network’s most popular shows.

Fortunately Reilly is an outspoken fan of the genre series Fringe. Thanks to his support and fan encouragement, he made the final decision to renew the show for another season. At the TCAs he shared his outlook for the upcoming season: “I don’t expect Fringe to grow. It’s a pretty complex show. If Fringe can do exactly what Fringe did last year, we’re going to be very happy. They’re right in the pocket creatively once again.” He understands going into season 4 that the ratings probably won’t grow past the stabilization that took place last year when the show moved Friday nights. As long as the cult following remains true to the series, I trust that Reilly will let Fringe run its course until the creators decide it’s time to end the story on their terms. He describes Fringe as “a creative show that deserve[s] to be on the air.”

Many expect that the upcoming season of House will be its last. Reilly commented on the speculation: “I can’t confirm that it’s the last season [though] we’ve talked pretty publicly about the potential for that. I’ve spoken to [the producers] and they want to go out strong, so we’re going to revisit that later in the fall.” In a recent interview with TVLine, House creator David Shore admitted that he’s not approaching this season as if it’s the last. He said, “Fox wants another season. I think enough of our fans want another season. [Universal Media Studios] wants another season. It may well be [the final season]. And we will know earlier rather then later because I want to do [the ending] right.” Reilly mentioned that if FOX were to drop the show before Shore has properly concluded the series, Universal Media Studios (the production house behind the show) might opt to shop it to other networks. But don’t bet on that happening. Either FOX will say they’re willing to renew the show later this fall, or they’ll advise Shore to start wrapping things up and mark season eight as the last.

After cancelling the breakout comedy Breaking In last season, FOX quickly extended the cast options so that if they were to figure out a way to bring it back from the dead in a timely manner the cast (consisting of Christian Slater, Brett Harrison and Odette Annable) would remain attached to the program. Reilly confirms that Breaking In will be a contender for the network’s two-hour midseason comedy block. It will battle returning series Raising Hope and newcomers I Hate My Teenage Daughter, New Girl, Little In Common, and Family Album for a spot. “We will revisit what makes that two-hour block later in the fall and make a decision [on Breaking In],” said Reilly.

Reilly also took time to comment on the recent Glee controversy involving graduating stars Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and Cory Monteith. “I think it has taken on a little more heat and momentum than it in fact is. This show is a big management undertaking. There are many successful shows on the air that have genuine controversy and fighting. That has really not been the case. It is a good group of people with [different] personalities.” He confirmed that Rachel, Kurt, and Finn will be graduating at the end of the season 3 and that a spinoff series starring these characters might be developed. “We collectively decided to revisit [the spinoff] in the back half of the [season] when it should be visited. It got out [in the media early] and then got a little bit crazy.” These comments support what Glee co-creator Ryan Murphy told Deadline this month. Reilly also visited the rumored fractured relationship between Murphy and other co-creator Brad Falchuk. “Those guys get along really well. Brad is the most even-keeled, mild-mannered guy in the world. And Ryan is who he is. And that’s why we love him. He is a creative force… When that spinoff came around, I think his wheels started turning… and this got out. And I think the second it did, I think all of us were really surprised at how it took on a life of its own. This is something that was probably a two-day issue, that somehow it has taken on a bigger life.” Reilly went on to describe how the upcoming season will be “focused” and “back to basics.” He maintained, “There aren’t going to be any big guest stars, there aren’t going to be any tribute [episodes]. We’re focused on our core characters and relationships. [There will be] an incredibly clean arc. There will be a graduation at the end [of the season]. We know the three characters who will be graduating. How that’s going to play out I’m not going to say. There are some surprises; it’s not going to be predictable.”

Last, Reilly also made sure to share his excitement over the Tim Kring (Heroes) pilot starring Kiefer Sutherland (24) called Touch. He describes the pilot as “extraordinary” and says Sutherland’s role is “a new character but it does have some dose of Jack Bauer in it.” The show has yet to be scheduled and Reilly held that he “can’t confirm [the series order] yet, but [they’re] staffed on Touch and they’re writing scripts now.” He added, “Look, to be honest with you, if the pilot was lousy, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation. But I think the pilot is potentially great.” In case you forget, the show will focus on a father (Sutherland) who discovers that his autistic, mute son (David Mazouz) can predict events before they happen. Danny Glover costars as “a professor and expert on children who possess special gifts,” reports TVLine. Lookout for Touch to premiere in midseason.

[Via Deadline; TVLine 1, 2, 3]

Comic Con 2011: ‘Fringe’ (Peter Bishop audition tapes inside)

August 1, 2011[experience-it-all], Images, Television, Videoaudition tapes, Comic Con 2011, Comic Con 2011 panel, Comic Con panel, Comic Con panel highlights, FOX, Fringe, highlights, panel highlightsScott Meisner

The Fringe panel at Comic Con contained the greatest amount of energy of all the panels I attended. Even though the panelists kept season 4 secrets closely guarded, the attendees made it known how much they love and respect one of the greatest sci-fi shows ever produced. Onto the highlights:

The panel started with a sizzle reel highlighting major events that happened throughout the series so far. Peter Bishop (played by Joshua Jackson) was not present in the clip.
When the clip ended the stage filled up with actors Anna Torv, John Noble, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole, and new series regular Seth Gabel (he plays Lincoln Lee); and executive producers and showrunners J.H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner. Again, Josh Jackson is no where to be found.
Immediately the panel turned to the audience for a Q&A session. Pinkner confirmed, “It’s not that Peter’s consciousness is anywhere. There is no Peter. Peter doesn’t exist. But we’ll let you know when he shows up.” An astute fan asked how a lovechild between Bolivia and Peter could exist if Peter never existed. “The question is, is there a child?” replied a cryptic Anna Torv. Interesting…
Cue another clip. This time it’s Peter Bishop audition tapes! The video features famous actors ranging from Lost‘s Michael Emerson to Community‘s Dani Pudi wearing a fake mustache. It ends with a shot of Joshua Jackson dressed in an Observer suit with pale skin asking, “What do you want me to do?” Watch it after the break.
And the crowd goes wild! Josh Jackson emerges from stage right and sits down next to his TV father on the panel. He’s looking rather dapper donning an Observer-esque hat. Are all of these hints of what’s to come in season 4? One can speculate…
When asked if Jackson will ever get to encounter an alt-universe version of himself he replied, “I don’t think Peter will ever have an alternate, but however he gets folded back into this season, it will be a very different version than what we’ve seen before. He’s in a different place now.”
It was also brought up that viewers haven’t seen an alt-version of Nina Sharp. “I’m not sure that [she] isn’t an inanimate object like a lightbulb or a toaster,” Brown hinted. She mentioned that since we still don’t know which side Nina lies on (good or bad), perhaps she will reveal herself as something destructive on the other side if it turns out she’s working against our heroes.
And what about Astrid? Nicole shared, “[We’ll see] a different kind of Astrid then we’ve seen before.” Then she belted out a rendition of Aerosmith’s classic tune with the words “Astrid’s got a gun.”
When a viewer asked whether or not Olivia will learn to control her Cortexifan-intensified powers this season Pinker dropped this: “I’m not sure we’ve seen all of her powers yet.” He cushioned this with, “What’s going to happen is really hard to answer because we think it would spoil letting the show unfold.” And this was the theme of the panel; not much could be revealed and so we’ll have to wait until September to be fed answers.
I cannot end this panel highlight post without mentioning Noble’s kind words that opened the panel. “Seriously, without your efforts, your rabid support, we wouldn’t be here right now. You are the best fans that ever existed.” He proclaimed that Comic Con “is our Emmys” and every single fan in attendance showered the panel with love.

Scrub through the gallery below to see pictures from the lovefest that was the Fringe panel.

Continue reading Comic Con 2011: ‘Fringe’ (Peter Bishop audition tapes inside) →

Warner Bros. preps ‘Fringe’ swag for Comic Con

July 13, 2011Image cache, Televisionbag, Comic Con, Comic Con 2011, Comic Con swag, FOX, Fringe, swag, swag bag, Warner Bros.Scott Meisner

Considering myself a rabid follower of the FOX sci-fi show Fringe, it didn’t take much deliberation for me to clobber together this brief post. Next week Comic Con comes to San Diego, and within the convention walls Warner Bros. will be handing out these Fringe themed bags-that-convert-into-backpacks. What’s more, TVLine reports, is that an extremely limited number of alternate universe themed swag bags will also be in circulation. I’ve got to get my hands on one of those…

New ‘Fringe’ teaser hints at the return of…

April 12, 2011Television, VideoFOX, Fringe, Fringe teaser, teaser, TV teaserScott Meisner

The newly renewed Fringe returns with an all-new episode this week and as far as this fresh teaser is concerned…(spoiler alert?) Leonard Nimoy will be back, in some form or other. Episode 319 is “Lysergic Acid Diethylamide”; this is the psychedelic drug otherwise known as LSD. Whether or not it plays a role in the William Bell rebirth that has yet to be determined. You’ll have to tune into FOX this Friday at 9PM to find out.

I’m trying my best to come up with a theory here. Following his epic contributions to the Fringe season 3 finale, Nimoy publicly announced his retirement from acting. Over the course of the last couple episodes, Bell’s consciousness has found a home in Agent Olivia Dunham but soon it will have to find a new host. In all likelihood it will not be in the form of Bell but perhaps someone else, someone from the Fringe universe we’ve encountered before. I don’t know why I’m thinking this, but I can’t turn my mind away from Mark Valley’s John Scott who last appeared in season one. I’m well aware that he was proclaimed dead after the car crash, but reanimation is not a foreign term in Fringe land. Thoughts?

Update (4/15): Well there goes my theory. In an interview with EW, Fringe producer Jeff Pinkner shed some light on what’s to come regarding Belly’s return. “Leonard retired from acting at the end of our season finale. He was very sincere about that. But Joel and I and Akiva [Goldsman] were talking about the notion that William Bell would inhabit Olivia’s mind, and we came up with what we thought was a really cool idea. We called Leonard, and he just started laughing and said, ‘Okay, I’m in. How do you want to use me?’” Without giving much away, he says that “He’s participating in the show. It’s more than just giving us license … William Bell is present in the next episode, and he’s present in way that gives new meaning to alternate reality. But it’s very much Leonard Nimoy.” Hm, interesting. Perhaps he’ll appear in animated form (with his actual voice in tact), just like he did in the musical episode “Brown Betty.” All we know for sure is that this question will be answered tonight.

‘Fringe’ asks, “Where will you be when it happens?”

March 28, 2011Television, VideoFOX, Fringe, Fringe promos, promo, teaser, TV promo, TV teaserScott Meisner

In this tantalizing teaser highlighting what’s to come on Fringe the show asks fans, “Where will you be when it happens?”

When what happens exactly? What is “it“? Perhaps they are referring to the impending doom (the obliteration of one universe) brought on by the machine + Peter Bishop. Or maybe it’s something else entirely…

Whatever’s going to happening, it’s going down when the sun comes up at 6:02AM. Now how do I know that? In a blink-and-you-miss-it moment, the time “6:02AM” flashes precisely at :12 and then again at :13 in the video above. Sneaky, huh? FOX posted a lengthier promo called “Life and Death” and this video also makes mention of this mysterious time. I’ve embedded the second spot after the break, and I’ll leave it up to you to find the clue.

With promise of another season, I can’t wait to see what the team has in store for the May season finale. Fringe airs Fridays at 9PM on FOX. New episodes return April 15. Continue reading ‘Fringe’ asks, “Where will you be when it happens?” →

FOX renews ‘Fringe’ for fourth season [Update: official press release statements]

March 24, 2011News, TelevisionFOX, Fringe, pick-up, picked up, renew, renewedScott Meisner

HOLY PARALLEL UNIVERSE, BATMAN! Executive producer J.H. Wyman has announced via Twitter that Fringe has been picked up for another season! In so many words he said:

“Fringe was picked up!!!! Thanks Fringedom!”

A FOX spokeswoman confirms that the show will return next fall in full force–that’s right, meaning a full, 22 episode fourth season will be underway. CELEBRATION TIME, commence.

Oh, and take that Friday nights; guess you’re not the night where all shows go to die after all.

Update: Jump after the break to find the official press release celebrating the Fringe-tastic news.

[Via Twitter] Continue reading FOX renews ‘Fringe’ for fourth season [Update: official press release statements] →

Jorge Garcia to guest star on ‘Fringe’

March 5, 2011News, Television, VideoFOX, Fringe, guest role, guest spot, guest star, Jorge Garica, promoScott Meisner

Hurley is coming to Fringe! Jorge Garcia is Island-hopping from Lost to Alcatraz, and somewhere in-between he has managed to find time to land a guest role in an upcoming episode of Fringe. (These are all shows from mastermind J.J. Abrams, mind you.) According to EW, he will play a Massive Dynamic employee. Beyond that, you’ll have to watch next week’s episode “Os” to find out how he fits into the puzzle. But just look at the still sitting above–Hurley and Walter deep in conversation! Who knew such worlds would one day collide?

Frothing at the mouth for more? Again, that’s it for the Hurley scoop; but jump after the break to watch a brand new promo spot produced by FOX for the greatest sci-fi show out there. It succinctly tells the tale of the parallel universes and subtly hints at the impending war that’s coming.

Fringe airs Fridays at 9PM on FOX.

[Via EW] Continue reading Jorge Garcia to guest star on ‘Fringe’ →

‘Fringe’ producers hint at epic season 3 finale [Updates: Ratings slip, FOX prez speaks]

February 12, 2011News, TelevisionFOX, Fringe, Fringe producers, Fringe season 3, J.H. Wyman, Jeff Pinkner, Kevin Reilly, ratings, TV ratingsScott Meisner

Fringe fans, the move to Friday hasn’t been too bad now has it? Ratings are holding steady (actually they’re not, see below), and it appears that the loyal hardcare fanbase is sticking with it. And according to FOX execs that’s all they need to confidently renew the fantastic sci-fi series thereby granting it a fourth season. This week producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman shared some intriguing thoughts about the near-term future of the show. “Largely this season has been about the march to war, and it will continue to be so, driven equally by the relationship of Peter and the two Olivias,” Pinkner tells TVLine. “But we’ve got more stuff coming.” Wyman teases, “We can definitely guarantee that the last stretch [of episodes] is going to be very complicated, because you’re going to understand our show in a different capacity. It’s going to stretch your mind and make you think, ‘I never saw that coming.’ We have a few cards to lay down that I don’t think anybody expects. That’s what we feel we owe the fans.”

If you couldn’t process this before, they clearly they have another season on their collective mind. The May finale “will be as much as anything about setting up next season,” says Pinkner. Adds Wyman, “It’s like when you read a great novel and you finish a chapter, you’re like, ‘Oh my gosh, something happened that’s going to propel me forward!’ That’s something we desire to emulate.”

Bring it. Fringe airs Fridays at 9PM on FOX.

Update: Looks like Fringe isn’t exactly maintaining viewers like I had previously thought. Let’s take a look at the trend since it moved to Friday. “The Firefly”, Fringe‘s Friday debut, attracted 4.8 million viewers (1.9/6 in 18-49 demo); that was up 12% from its last original Thursday airing. Great start. The following week FOX aired “Reciprocity” and the ratings held steady at 4.6 million viewers (1.9/6 in 18-49 demo). The next episode “Concentrate and Ask Again” started the rocky spiral descent; viewership dropped 16% to 4.2 million viewers (1.6/5). And that brings us to last night’s episode; “Immortality” garnered 3.7 million viewers (1.4/6)–that’s a 13% drop from the previous ep. This is certainly a cause for concern when it comes to thinking about season renewal. The hardcore fanbase needs to stick with this show if FOX is going to pick it up for another season. Obviously these early numbers do not take into consideration DVR numbers (Fringe typically picks up the slack in time-shifted viewership), so these low figures may increase over the next few days. The bottom line is this: if Fringe wants to see another year to live, YOU have to tune into the show when it airs Fridays @ 9PM. Plain and simple. If you must, DVR it and watch it later. Tell your friends about it. The producers have promised they have “years of story left to tell” so it would be nothing short of a catastrophe if FOX eliminated it from its schedule prematurely.

Update 2: Recently FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly shared his thoughts on Fringe‘s early surge when it first moved to Friday nights. He said, “I’m so psyched about it. It does go to show you the loyalty of the genre audience, when you get the right show. I’m so grateful to that audience, I’d like to shake their hands. We have a lot of passion for that show here.” Even though Reilly released this statement before last Friday’s dip in ratings, it does go to show his massive amount of support behind the show. If ratings can pick up again and begin to level out, I have no doubt in my mind Fringe will return for another season next fall.

[Via TVLine 1, 2; EW]