Fringe - Jasika Nicole - Comic-Con 2012

This is the second of 6 SDCC videos done by IGN with the stars of Fringe.
In this one Jasika Nicole tells what it was like to see the Season 5 trailer.

Fringe - J.H. Wyman - Comic-Con 2012

The post-SDCC videos keep coming in.
Here's a very nice interview with executive producer, Joel Wyman, posted on YouTube by IGN.

FRINGE-Season 5 Comic-Con Trailer

And now that executive producer, Joel Wyman, has stated in his post-panel interview(See the post "FRINGE:J.H. Wyman on the Final Panel....") that the new clips in this video are not spoilers, I am happy to share this with you here. Another beautiful trailer by Fringe media master, Ari Margolis.

FRINGE: J.H. Wyman on the Show's Final Panel, If That New Footage is From

Here's a really great post-panel interview with executive producer, Joel Wyman, in one of the best videos from the SDCC.

It's hard to hear Joel with all the background noise, but he says some really interesting things about the last 13 episodes.

Thanks to GiveMeMyRemoteTV for posting this video on YouTube.

Comic-Con Fringe Panel Twitter Campaign, July 15th

All through Season 4 you saw me post here about the fun Fringe Twitter Campaigns hosted by Fringenuity.
Well, now you can participate in a special Twitter campaign tomorrow, Sunday, July 15th.
The last Fringe Q&A Panel of the SDCC takes place at 10AM Pacific Time(1:00PM Eastern Time).
Fringenuity wants to try to trend two fandom tweets tomorrow, one before the panel begins, and one during the panel:

1) #TheyAreComing at 12:30PM Eastern Time(before the panel)

2) #In WymanWeTrust at 1:00PM Eastern Time (during the panel)

Please consider joining in the campaign by tweeting the above hashtags at the above-mentioned times.

Please do not use either hashtag prior to the designated times above.

Fringedom, let's show the cast and executive producer of our favorite show our support during their big day at the SDCC!

For more information about what to tweet and when, and these and other great icons, visit the Fringenuity website here.

****AND AS USUAL THERE'S MORE!!!****

Check into Get Glue during tomorrow's Fringe Panel and get a special Fringe Comic Con sticker!

Fringe's EW Interview at SDCC 2012

It's been a busy day in social media and at the San Diego Comic Con for Fringe, and here's a fun interview filmed today with Anna Torv, John Noble, Joshua Jackson, and Lance Reddick by Entertainment Weekly.
"Tomorrow's panel" they are referring to is, of course, the last Fringe Q&A panel ever at the SDCC, which will take place Sunday at 10AM Pacific Time.

Fringe at the San Diego Comic Con(SDCC)

It's that time of year again and the San Diego Comic Con(SDCC) is in full swing.
And some of our favorite Fringe stars will again be taking part in the events.

Anna Torv is on the "Kick Ass Women" Panel again tomorrow:
Friday, July 13
4:15-5:15 Entertainment Weekly: Powerful Women in Pop Culture (aka Women Who Kick Ass!)— Fan-favorites Kristin Bauer van Straten (True Blood), Sarah Wayne Callies (Walking Dead), Kristin Kreuk (Beauty and the Beast), Nikki Reed (Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2), and Anna Torv (Fringe) open up about the power and privilege of playing characters that have redefined the rules for women. Basically, a discussion with women who kick ass. Moderated by EW's Lynette Rice. Ballroom 20

Jasika Nicole is on a TV Guide Magazine Fan Favorites Panel on Saturday:
1:00-2:00 TV Guide Magazine: Fan Favorites— TV Guide magazine returns with another all-star panel. Moderated by editor-in-chief Debra Birnbaum, Fan Favorites brings together stars from TV's hottest shows for a lively discussion filled with behind-the-scenes scoop. Panelists (subject to change) include Sarah Wayne Callies (The Walking Dead), Nathan Fillion (Castle), David Giuntoli (Grimm), Joel McHale (Community), Liam McIntyre (Spartacus), Jasika Nicole (Fringe), Tyler Posey (Teen Wolf), Maggie Q (Nikita), and Matt Smith (Doctor Who). Indigo Ballroom, Hilton San Diego Bayfront

And, of course the very last appearance of the Fringe stars at SDCC for a Q&A Session on Sunday:
10:00-11:00 Fringe Screening and Q&A— Fringe returns to Comic-Con for its farewell panel to celebrate its fifth and final season. Series stars Anna Torv (The Pacific), Josh Jackson (Dawson's Creek), Lance Reddick (Lost), Blair Brown (Altered States), Jasika Nicole (Take the Lead), and John Noble (The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King), along with executive producer J. H. Wyman (Keen Eddie), offer a Q&A with fans and an exclusive video presentation. Don't miss the discussion about the climactic conclusion of this critically acclaimed thriller. From Bad Robot Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, Fringe airs Fridays at 9/8c on FOX. Fringe: The Complete Fourth Season will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 4. Hall H


See the entire SDCC schedule guide here.

Jasika Nicole at the Denver Comic Con-From My Perspective

Jasika Nicole at the Denver Comic Con-From My Perspective

Friday, June 15th, 2012. 
Getting ready for Denver Comic Con. My packing list had everything I needed. 

I guess I should say that I consider myself a fairly mature person. But when it comes to Fringe, I'm like a kid in a candy store. 

It is 5 pm. 

We are standing in line to enter the exhibit hall for the 1st Comic Con in Denver, Colorado. 

This was my first Comic Con ever and Friday was a recon mission for Saturday. Jasika Nicole made a one day appearance and we wanted to make sure we would be able to get an autograph and be able to listen to the panel. Not knowing how many people to expect and even though having an autograph ticket is not a guarantee, we wanted to be in line early for both. 
Buying the tickets online is definitely the way to go. I know you pro’s already know this but this was my first so humor me, will you? 

Throughout we encountered attendees dressed up from some of my favorite movies and TV shows. And believe it or not some of them had a connection to Fringe. I’ll explain as I go.

Star Wars was one of the first we encountered. 

I still have to think of Walter in 4.19 Letters of Transit as he was trying to pull a Jedi Mind Trick on the Loyalist.

WALTER: “"These aren't the 'droids you're looking for."… "Move along."”

I was also thrilled to see Stargate SG1 fans there because before Fringe that’s what I would watch over and over. 

And this is where the fun begins. So many times in Fringe, I thought of SG1. 

John Noble was in SG1 9.20 Camelot.

Agent Edwards (JR Bourne) from 2.06 Earthing and 3.12 Concentrate And Ask Again was Martuf, one of my favorite characters on SG1. 

Canaan (Tim Guinee) from 4.17 Everything In Its Right Place was Tomin on SG1. 

When Olivia went into the tank in 3.05 Amber 31422, 

she reminded me of Hathor. There was one scene in that episode of SG1 where Hathor climbed out of a tank, wore a similar gown and a tiara. 

Some of the concepts from SG1 also reminded me of Fringe or vice versa.
One that stands out is 3.19 LSD, trying to transfer Bell’s conscience into a computer.

That happened to Captain Carter on SG1 in 4.20 Entity 

Some of the other things we saw were Resident Evil 

and Dr. Who. I swear I had a picture of the Tardis but it disappeared. 

Oh, wait, here it is. 

And the Avengers. 

So back to our recon mission. The object was to find out where Jasika would sign autographs. Back in the corner we found the sections where everyone would be sitting.

After we found the area it was time to stand in line (again) to get the actually autograph ticket. All I had was a payment confirmation. 

This is the geek in me. I’m really glad I took a picture because they kept it. Hey, the instructions in the program said to "Geek out! Hard!" And by golly I was planning on doing that. 

After that we checked where the panel would be on Saturday as well and thus our recon mission was complete. First day of DCC was done!

Saturday, June 16th, 2012
9 am arriving at the parking garage. In typical Fringe manner we looked for the appropriate parking space. 

And I went all out.  

Then it was “standing in line again”. Fringie6989 and I and Gene stood in line for 45 minutes before we could enter the exhibit hall. 

But… as we stood in line Jasika walked by us going upstairs. We thought that there were specific times when the guests would sign autographs but decided as soon as we were in to check out the area already. We knew where the table was so once the doors opened we headed straight for that. Jasika and her helper set up the table. We waited a few minutes, almost hesitant to approach her but then we did. EEK!  We were first in line. EEK!
I purchased a Fringe print for her to sign

and a piece of her art to sign.

I was so nervous I really didn't know what to say. I did ask her if she had a word for fans on fringetelevision.com and she said she hopes we will enjoy S5 as much as we did S4. I know I will because S4 was my favorite so far. 

Then we left. But we went back so Fringie6989 could get a print as well. I then chatted with Jasika for a bit. Jasika sounds just like on the show. She is/was so sweet and down to earth. We talked about knitting. I told her I work at the library and every time I put knitting books away I think of her. She never sells her projects because it’s hard to put a price on it. I agreed. I cross stitch and feel the same way. She said it was nice to talk to someone who understands that. I also mentioned that I had been following her tumblr for a while. She wanted to know what my name is on there. I told her and she said she knew exactly who I was. Gulp, I hope that’s a good thing, lol.

We found a lonely table off to the side and admired our autographs for quite a while. I would have been totally happy just leaning at that table, watching as other people went up to talk with her. As a matter of fact (that’s how pathetic we were) we checked a few times to see if Jasika was well received. After all, right next to her were Colin Ferguson and James Marsters. But we didn’t have to worry.

Part one of our mission was complete.

As we made our way down to the panel room we came across an Observer.

He actually shaved his head for this occasion. He and the two of us were the only fans in Fringe paraphernalia who engaged in a conversation. I saw one other person in a Fringe Division t-shirt but he just shrugged his shoulders. 

Anyway. 
It was now around 11:15 am. The next step was to get in line for her panel (forget about food).

We knew where we were going because we planned ahead. As soon as the panel before Jasika’s started we sat right by the door and did not move. 

We knew that VIP attendees had priority but right after they would be let in the room, it was our turn. 
Then it was time. 2nd row seats! 

I still couldn't believe I’m actually there just a few feet away. 

On the panel Jasika talked about her character, how she thought Astrid was going to be killed off in 1.04 The Arrival when Walter sedates her so he can steal the beacon. She was glad she wasn't and enjoyed her character expanding even to the other universe. The interviewers asked her about other cast members and Jasika said she’s very good friends with John Noble. Friday nights they would get together at his house and actually watch the show. Jasika spoke very highly of all her co-workers and even gave another impersonation of Lance Reddick. He is actually quite funny and not bad at impressions himself. During the conversation she brought up a scene from 2.04 Momentum Deferred  I believe, where she was chopping up worms for Olivia to drink to jog her memory.  In a jar on the table were leeches trying to escape. I always wondered what she chopped up to put in the blender and then Jasika said it was black pasta.

She shared that Anna is quite the teaser telling Jasika she stepped on a leech which of course she didn’t and also that the two of them have knitting and sewing parties. 
Although Jasika likes Horror movies some of the stuff on Fringe does scare her. In 2.18 The Man From The Other Side was one of those scenes. It was when they were trying to bring the shapeshifter embryo back to life.

There was lots of goo and even though she knew that there was a man under the table controlling the shapeshifter it was still creepy with the lights being out and Josh saying something like “this is cool” she just wanted to be done.  
Before the floor was open for questions the interviewer asked about her passion for art. Jasika said she had been drawing since she was a little girl. As a waitress, she would often find herself doodling on her order pads. She had hundreds of sketches. She likes the freedom of being in control and having sole power over her creations where as an actress she sometimes has to give that up; in a sense being the tool for the creative mind behind the screen, fitting the writer’s vision. She said that in 4.21 Brave New World Part 1 

when Astrid gets shot she actually had a line there but it was cut for that very reason. She just had to learn to relinquish. 

When Jasika was asked about S5 she said that SDCC is still a month away so whatever she can share DCC heard it first. Of course she couldn’t really say much because I don’t think she knows anything yet. Jasika thinks that S5 will take place a few years after S4 finale and end at 2036, which is interesting because John Noble said this in an interview (See the Fringe Spoilers article titled "Fringe Exclusive:" dated 06/19/12 by clicking here. Warning, the article contains spoilers!). So anyone’s guess is as good as any or in other words… the game is on.

When asked if we will see the alternate universe and September again she said it is more likely for September to return than the alternate universe.

As far as plans for after Fringe she didn’t really say except she would like to do a horror movie.

When asked what the overarching story of the show was she said love, the relationships not only between Olivia and Peter but even more the relationship between Walter and Peter and how they are connected and interwoven in the sci-fi part of Fringe.

That I think is all I can remember from this hour. After the panel was over we went upstairs for a smoothie, went back to the autograph table area and checked on her (I know but we felt protective and just wanted to make sure…). We went to one more panel with James Marsters and then left.

On the way out of the parking garage we had another Fringe moment.

The parking garage was set up sort of like the one in 2.07 Of Human Action.

On our way in and out that’s all we could think of. Creepy. As the Fringe songs played in the car and as we shared Red Vines we made our way back home. 

Knowing that I wouldn’t be able to go to SDCC, it being Fringe’s last panel and with the end of the show in mind, this weekend will always have a special place in my heart.

And just as much as this show is special, so are the fans. Fringe fans stick together like "goo". Fringe Honor is as high as Scouts Honor and Fringe fans are friends for life.
I agree withFringie6989 who said it far better than I ever could:

“The intricate web of relationships that have created the foundation of Fringe has crossed not only universes and timelines, but reality itself. As I've started to come to terms with saying goodbye to my favorite show, I've started reflecting on what Fringe has done in my life and I am proud to say that what started as a show that honestly freaked me out a little and then shifted into an obsessive need to dig deep into the mythology and very human struggles that the characters went through over these past 4 years, also brought me something unexpected: family. When I have seen the relationships in my day-to-day life crumble and break, I've also been privileged to see this "little family unit" known as the Fringe fandom soar to unimaginable heights in a shared devotion to something bigger than ourselves. The ever-fading idea that just one person can make a difference in the world has been at least slightly brought back to life as I've watched this fandom come together and speak up. We made a difference, guys. Is it going to change the world? Maybe not. But it's changed my world. And it's changed the world of television and the world of the cast and crew who didn't have the numbers that were needed, but they had the heart and isn't that what really matters? Jasika talked about how even if she doesn't get to work in sci-fi after Fringe, she knows now that the fans will follow her and the other cast wherever they may go because sci-fi fans are a special group of people. In no other genre are there groups of people more devoted, more passionate, and more loyal. And just coming back from Comic-Con, I can attest to that. The Fringe fandom is my family, but there were many families at Comic-Con. The Star Wars family, the Stargate family, the Avengers Family...it was like a family reunion! We may belong to different clans but we are all part of the bigger family of sci-fi and honestly, there is nowhere else I would rather be. Thank you for going on this journey with me, Fringies :)”

Fringe Shocker: Executive Producer Jeff Pinkner Exits Series

Today's News: Our Take
 Exclusive Fringe Shocker: Executive Producer Jeff Pinkner Exits Series

Jun 19, 2012 07:30 PM ET
by Natalie Abrams

Fringe is gearing up for its fifth and final season, but it will do so without one of its head honchos.

TVGuide.com has learned exclusively that Jeff Pinkner, an executive producer who has run the Fox series alongside J.H. Wyman since Season 2, has stepped down. Sources tell us it was Pinkner's decision to exit the series in order to pursue other projects and that it was an amicable split. Pinkner will not retain his executive producer credit and Wyman will be the sole showrunner for the final season.

"We're so excited to begin work on a fifth season of Fringe and to be able to deliver the 13 final episodes to our passionate and devoted fans," Fringe co-creator/executive producer J.J. Abrams said in a statement. "For four years, J.H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner have worked tirelessly as a team to keep all the worlds in order on Fringe. We're thankful for the invaluable contributions Jeff has made to the show and of course wish him well and look forward to working together in the future. J.H. Wyman's importance to Fringe cannot be overstated, however, and I'm thrilled that he will continue as showrunner for the concluding chapters of our story. We can't wait for our fans to see what we have in store for them in the wild conclusion of Fringe."

Read Natalie's entire tvguide.com article here.
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'Fringe' finale: Exec producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman discuss those final moments, tease season 5

May 11, 2012
11:59 PM ET
'Fringe' finale: Exec producers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman discuss those final moments, tease season 5
by Jeff Jensen

A few weeks ago, Fringe zipped forward to the year 2036 and showed us a world ruled by The Observers, time traveling super-powered bald men from the 27th century with a passion for fedoras, hot sauce and flasks of ice water. Can Walter (John Noble), Olivia (Anna Torv), and Peter (Josh Jackson) do anything here in the present to avert this fate? If you’ve seen the season four finale, then you now know – SPOILER ALERT! – that you’ll have to wait until the cult fave’s fifth and final season for the answer. “That’s certainly the suggestion at the end,” says exec producer J.H. Wyman, referring to two revelations in the closing moments that would seem to pave the way for Observageddon. “The idea that September says ‘They’re coming’ and that Olivia says she’s pregnant really does set us up for what we saw in ‘Letters of Transit.’ At the same time, I will also say that everything you’ve seen over the past four seasons is hugely important to season five.”

Fringe is known for bleak cliffhangers that set up or tease the next year’s capture-the-imagination sci-fi idea. But the exec producers say that with “Brave New World,” they were going for something more emotional, less mythological. Hence, this year, our heroes got something like a clean victory/happy ending. Walter defeated William Bell’s wannabe god scheme to create a “brave new world” filled with strange creatures (and very few humans), while Olivia cheated death (from a bullet in the head, no less!) with her recently-conceived baby intact. Also: Astrid lives! Wyman calls the episode “the calm before the storm… a gentle closing of the door” to this part of the saga.

Read Jeff Jenson's entire entertainmentweekly.com post here.

FRINGE - Returns Fridays This Fall Promo

Season 5 may still be many weeks away, but check out this amazing new Season 5 Promo that appeared on YouTube earlier this week.

‘Fringe’ Season 5 Details Revealed

‘Fringe’ Season 5 Details Revealed
May 15, 2012 by Anthony Ocasio

[WARNING - THIS POST CONTAINS FRINGE SEASON 4 SPOILERS!!!]

The battle will soon be upon us in Fringe season 5. As the Observers make their way into our world, will the Fringe team be able to prevent the events depicted in 2036 from occurring?

Speaking with TV Guide and TV Line, Fringe executive producers J.H. Wyman and Jeff Pinkner reveal what’s in store for season 5, how the impending battle will seamlessly fit into the series’ overall storyline, the huge payoff that’s waiting for fans at the end of the series, and much more.

While there’s no talk about the potential return of William Bell in season 5, one should never discount Fringe‘s ability to surprise its audience. Things are dependent on Leonard Nimoy’s decision to return, and it is not currently known whether or not he will reprise his character once again. Though, after his tremendous performance in the Fringe season 4 finale, hopes are high that he will.

Heading in to its final season, the focus is now on the Observers and what eventually occurs in 2036. Despite the season 4 finale having some fans worrying that the impending Observer battle will set aside many the series’ original storylines, the producers promise that Fringe’s fifth and final season will be a “huge payoff” for its loyal fans:

Wyman: Well, let’s say that basically 2036 is extremely important to Season 5. It’s crucial, but having said that, everything that you have seen in Fringe from Season 1 all the way to 4 is really, really, really, really important to what’s going on in Season 5, and 2036 is part of that.

Season 5 is designed to be very important, a huge payoff for loyal fans. They will feel like, “Because I invested in every single episode, and I have so many questions, I want these questions answered. And I want everything to be made sense of, but taken on a journey that just can’t be stopped. I want it to end in a place where I feel like everybody kind of belongs where they are and got what they’ve earned.” There will be a sense of satisfaction for those long-term viewers that go, “Wow, I really feel good. I feel OK about what has transpired, what I have watched. But I also can imagine life after that for our main characters.”

Given the limited amount of episodes, fans shouldn’t worry about unnecessary episodic stories. Fringe has an end date, and it’s now a direct line to the finish:

It’s a 13-episode sprint; there’s no filler episodes. It answers some very bold questions. It culminates with a very satisfying type of crescendo that really is so important for the fans, that’s the biggest thing. That’s the only thing that’s really important is to make sure that they feel absolutely satiated.

Read the entire screenrant.com article here.

Fringe:Discuss:What Would You Like To See In Season 5?

If I 'heard' Joel Wyman, Jeff Pinkner, and Akiva Goldsman, the three executive producers who wrote both parts of the Season 4 finale, "Brave New World" correctly, 09 21 12 will likely be the date of the Season 5 premiere.

This has not been posted anywhere(yet) but since this just happened to be the 6 digit code Simon used to get into the old Massive Dynamic building, and knowing a bit about the J/J/A style, I'd bet my lunch on it!

Which brings to mind all the possibilities of the upcoming last season of this incredible series, and brings us to this week's Fringe:Discuss question:

Q:What would you like to see in Season 5?

I know many of you reading this are doing you own series rewatches, which is great.
As you answer this week's question, think about the unanswered questions and scenarios that still linger from the previous four seasons.
Also, think about the characters and the actors who play them. Perhaps there's a certain celeb you'd like to see in the series as a good or bad guy or gal?

Post your comments below.
And remember not to post any spoilers here, especially that one speculative casting spoiler that's out there. If you want to know about that click on the "Fringe Spoilers" tab at the top of the page.

 I will do my very best to get this list to Fringe showrunners Joel Wyman and Jeff Pinkner. It's unlikely, but wouldn't it be great if we got some feedback on this from them?

Fringe Scoop: Seth Gabel Not Returning as a Regular For Fifth and Final Season

May 22, 2012 03:00 PM PDT

Fringe Scoop: Seth Gabel Not Returning as a Regular For Fifth and Final Season
Michael Ausiello

When Fringe kicks off its fifth and final season this fall, it will be down one castmember.

Sources confirm to TVLine that Seth Gabel will not be back as a series regular.

In a recent interview with TVLine, Fringe‘s leading lady, Anna Torv, noted that the odds of Gabel returning were slim.

Read Ausiello's entire tvline.com post here.

Ask Matt:Matt Roush Comments on Fringe's Renewal

Today's News: Our Take Ask Matt: House, Once vs. Grimm, Fringe Renewal

Apr 30, 2012 10:32 AM ET
by Matt Roush

Question: Like all Fringe fans, I am delighted by the news that Fringe has been renewed for a 13-episode final season. I am relieved that Fox found a way to make it happen, despite the fact that Fringe is not exactly prospering as far as ratings are concerned. However, while I have been nervous about the uncertain future of Fringe all season, I had long expected that Fox would give Fringe a chance to end properly, and here's why:

1. At this point, Fringe is an established show. If this had been Fringe getting renewed for a second or even third season, it would not have surprised me if Fox had pulled the plug on it, considering the ratings. But this is a show going into a fifth season. By this point, both Fox and fans have invested a lot in the show. It has been allowed to get this far, and it only seems reasonable that it be allowed closure. 2. Fringe is well loved by critics, fans and Fox executives alike. Sure, a network loves all its shows and wants them all to succeed. But I've always gotten the impression that Fox executives had a more personal interest in Fringe, almost like they too were invested in seeing how the show would end. In any case, knowing how committed Fringe fans are, it seems the smartest move Fox could make would be to renew the show for one final run with enough notice that fans could prepare themselves and show-runners could properly wrap things up. 3. Fringe has been in the Friday night death slot. Fox would have to take that into consideration as well when making the renewal decision.

All that said, I've seen various statements claiming that all of these considerations are meaningless and the one and only reason Fox renewed Fringe was because they got an amazing deal from Warner Bros. I've seen it suggested that Fox executives could care less if fans love Fringe if that is not reflected in the ratings. While I completely understand that Fox is a business and they are not in the business of losing money, I believe that Fringe is one of those rare exceptions where there was more factoring in to their decision than the ratings and the deal. It just seems narrow-minded for that to be the only reason to renew Fringe. And if that really was all that mattered to Fox, I don't think they would have tried so hard to renew Fringe. What are your thoughts? Was Fringe in a unique position? Does it really not matter to Fox how much support fans have shown Fringe? — Michelle

Matt Roush: Of course it matters. All of it matters. The survival of Fringe into an unlikely fifth season is a testament to the value of viewers' engagement with a show, even if it isn't reflected in the same-night ratings. Fringe's situation really is a perfect storm of circumstances where everything plays a part in the argument for renewal. If Fringe weren't so well and thoughtfully executed, it would be gone. If the media hadn't embraced it, it would be gone. If Fox didn't believe in it, it would be gone. If it aired on another night of the week, where it dragged down ratings that made more of a difference, it would be gone. If Warner Bros. didn't make it financially feasible for Fox to take it to the end, it would be gone. It's wrong to oversimplify this extraordinary renewal as merely a business decision (although that's part of it), because if Fringe weren't this special, none of it would have mattered.

Read Matt's entire article here.

Fringe Renewed For Fifth Season!

Fringe has been officially renewed for a fifth and final season! Woo hoo!

The announcement was made by Fringe executive producer Joel Wyman (@JWFringe), and was accompanied by this Fringe Season 5 trailer!

UPDATE: Here is the official press release, after the break:

Read more »

'Fringe' to return for shorter fifth and final season?

'Fringe' to return for shorter fifth and final season?
Published Wednesday, Feb 22 2012, 12:23pm EST
By Morgan Jeffery
Fringe could be renewed for a fifth and final season, reports suggest.

It is possible that the sci-fi drama will return to Fox for a shorter run, composed of just 15 episodes, according to TVLine.

The current fourth season of Fringe has seen the show struggle in the ratings, with midseason premiere 'Back to Where You've Never Been' pulling in just 2.87m viewers.

Last week's (February 17) installment 'A Better Human Being' rose slightly to 3m.

Series star Joshua Jackson (Peter Bishop) recently hinted that the series could continue "off network" if Fox declines to recommission it.

"I think there's a possibility that if people just watched the show on the day and date, and if the numbers came back, [renewal] is a possibility [on Fox]," he said. "[But] the TV landscape is a different place than it used to be, so [cancellation on Fox] might not be death."


Fringe continues on Fridays at 9/8c on Fox. Sky1 airs the show on Wednesdays at 10pm in the UK.

Read the Digital Spy article here.

The TVLine article Morgan references contains spoilers, and is linked here.

J.J. Abrams Talks ALCATRAZ, Serialized Storytelling, the Final Season of FRINGE, and Upcoming TV Projects

J.J. Abrams Talks ALCATRAZ, Serialized Storytelling, the Final Season of FRINGE, and Upcoming TV Projects

by Christina Radish
Posted:January 23rd, 2012 at 3:14 pm

The new Fox drama series Alcatraz follows a unique trio investigating the mystifying reappearance of 302 the most notorious prisoners and guards, 50 years after they vanished. As San Francisco Police Department Detective Rebecca Madsen (Sarah Jones) and Alcatraz expert and comic book enthusiast Dr. Diego Soto (Jorge Garcia) help government agent Emerson Hauser (Sam Neill) and his associate, Lucy Banerjee (Parminder Nagra), piece together the inexplicable sequence of events, they ultimately discover a much larger, more sinister present-day threat.

While at the TCA Winter Press Tour, executive producer J.J. Abrams talked about what intrigued him about the premise of this series, the changes they decided to make to the original pilot, why serialization has become a dirty word for TV, and that this was designed as episodic with an over-arcing large story and mythology stories that they’ll get to, over time. He also talked about how hopeful he is that Fringe will get renewed for at least one more season, said that Eric Kripke (Supernatural) is doing a great job developing the Revolution pilot that he will be producing, and that he is excited to be working with One Tree Hill creator Mark Schwahn on a show in the vein of Felicity. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

.
What’s your sense about the likelihood of Fringe getting another season?
ABRAMS: I don’t know. For some sick reason, I’m hopeful. There is some stuff coming up that is so great. They’re doing such amazing work. Maybe it’s just that dumb optimism of hoping that, when good work is done, it gets rewarded. Some of the work that Jeff [Pinkner] and Joel [Wyman] are working on now is so good that I’m just crossing my fingers it gets to continue. And, if not on Fox, maybe somewhere else.

Has Fox given you any indication that they would give you a heads up before canceling the show, so that you can make sure things get wrapped up?
ABRAMS: I would think that, if the show was going to end, they’ve been so wonderful and incredibly supportive and really aware of the audience that they have and don’t have, I’m sure they would be courteous enough to do that.

What can fans expect from Fringe, for the remainder of this season?
ABRAMS: I don’t want to talk about anything specific that’s coming. But Joel Wyman, one of the showrunners, directed an episode that is incredibly romantic and powerful and emotional, and has my favorite combination of weird and sweet, sci-fi and romance.

Are you planning an endgame, story wise?
ABRAMS: Not in the immediate future. My dream would be that the next year would be the great ending for the show, to have one more season, but of course, any producer would say that.

Read the entire collider.com article here.

Fringe Poll: What do you think will happen with Fringe?

In the last post, we discussed the possibility of Fringe coming back for a fifth season. What do you think will happen?

What do you think will happen with Fringe?

Will There Be A Fifth Season of Fringe?

The discussion about renewing Fringe for a fifth season kicked off this week at the Television Critics Association press tour, where J.J. Abrams and Fox's entertainment president Kevin Reilly were asked if the show would be back next season:

“I would like to have one more season to wrap things up,” show executive producer J.J. Abrams said after his panel promoting Alcatraz. “But then that’s what any producer would say.”


“I’m hopeful,” Abrams said. “There’s some stuff coming up this season that’s so great. Maybe it’s dumb optimism that the good work [of the Fringe showrunners Jeff Pinkner and Joel Wyman] will be rewarded. And if not on Fox,” he added, “maybe somewhere else.”

Moving a show to another network rarely happens, so what are Fringe's chances on Fox? Fox's entertainment president Kevin Reilly had this to say:


“Fringe has been a point of pride. I share the passion for the show the fans have. I love that Fox, after letting down genre fans over the years [came through with Fringe]. I love that fans stuck with it after it moved to Friday. It has vastly improved our Friday night."

However, the situation is not all milkshakes and red vines, as Reilly explained the problem:

"The hesitation in my voice is that it’s an expensive show. We lose a lot of money on the show. But with that rating on that night it’s almost impossible for us to make money on it. We’re not in the business of losing money."

While that doesn't sound very hopeful, Reilly added:

“Please don’t start the letter-writing campaign. I can’t take it. I hope we get some credit with the fans for seeing through a great show that they’ve enjoyed,” Reilly says. “I’m not now quietly doing the soft cancel here. I’m just telling you where it stands. I know (the producers and the studio) want to keep it going.” 

So where exactly does it stand?

"We need to figure out if there’s a [deal with studio Warner Bros. that] will make sense or will this be it." Reilly said.

According to MSNBC, fans can relax, because Warner Bros boss Peter Roth told then that talk of  cancellation is premature:

"We have no plans to give viewers closure this season because we expect the series to continue."

Fringe star Joshua Jackson agrees that the show should get a proper finish:

"The important thing to me is that our writers are given a chance to finish the show because it’s a serialized show.”

The head writers of the the show, executive producers Jeff Pinkner and Joel Wyman say that no matter what happens, the show will ultimately get a satisfying conclusion:

“The answer to that question is the same every year,” Pinkner started when asked if and when they’d need a heads up to wrap things up. “Worst case scenario, if this were the last aired season of Fringe — and as we’ve said before, there are other outlets where we could continue our stories, be they graphic novels or webisodes — we know what the end of this season is going to be, and it can function as a series finale.”

What's the most important thing you can do as a fan to help? Watch live, tell your friends to watch live, tweet about Fringe using the #fringe hashtag, and of course WATCH LIVE. But most of all, don't worry, enjoy these next 7 weeks in a row of Fringe, and know that Fringe won't leave you hanging!