Fox asks, "what’d you think?" of the leaked Fringe pilot

Odd that they would do that, unless, of course, they're the ones who did the leaking?

So, I ask -- was the Fringe pilot intentionally leaked by FOX/Warner Bros./Bad Robot?

Take the poll (to the right in the sidebar) or leave a comment.

Update: Poll closed/results: 91% believed the Fringe pilot intentionally leaked by FOX/Warner Bros./Bad Robot.

"The high quality of the Fringe download, alongside a source tag that identifies the torrent as a DVD screener, has sparked speculation over whether the pilot episode was intentionally leaked to build early buzz and hype before the show's broadcast premiere. A user on community forum Neowin wrote: 'In my opinion it's Fox themselves that use this technology to generate some talk.'" -- Underwire

"Fox was very careful with this expensive pilot, opting for private industry screenings rather than mailing out DVD screeners." -- THR

"Meanwhile, there are speculations over whether the pilot episode of Fringe was intentionally leaked by the network to create some early buzz." -- Buddy TV

"Yes, the Fringe pilot has gotten out. So, for those of you who have seen it — what’d you think?" -- Future on Fox

Sidenote: It appears FOX has deleted the post where they asked, 'what'd you think?' of the leaked Fringe pilot. It originally read:

Wanted: Little Dutch Boy

HR put it succinctly: That summer rite of passage, the annual leaking of the pilots, is upon us.

Yes, the Fringe pilot has gotten out.

So, for those of you who have seen it — what’d you think?

Fringe Schedule for Comic-Con

Ducky Does TV has posted the Warner Bros. TV Comic-Con Schedule which includes Fringe. According to Ducky's schedule, Fringe is scheduled Saturday, July 26th, 4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m. Saturday is sold out by the way.

What does all this mean? To be honest, I can't exactly say. My only experience with Comic-Con was feverishly refreshing last years live bloggers who were covering the Paramount/Abrams/Cloverfield panel. So my best guess is there will be a panel comprised of Fringe writers and/or directors and/or producers and/or stars who may have something to say, or show, or could just be there to look pretty and field a few questions about the show.

More Details on DC Comics' Fringe Miniseries

DC Comics has posted two new official results pages for the Fringe comic prequel: FRINGE #1 (OF 6) and FRINGE #2 (OF 6).

Watch for a special announcement on this miniseries' creative team, coming soon!

From J.J. Abrams, Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, the team behind the upcoming film Star Trek, Mission: Impossible III and the hit show Alias, comes Fringe, a new TV series that will thrill, terrify and explore the blurring line between science fiction and reality. The mysteries start here, in a special miniseries leading up to the premiere of Fringe on FOX on September 9!

Wildstorm Universe | 32pg. | Color | $2.99 US

Contrary to USA Today's report last week which had the comic hitting the stands on August 27, 2008, DC Comics lists the first issue as going on sale August 6, 2008, and the second, September 24, 2008.

Fringe DC Comic Book Prequel Schedule For August 27 Release

USA Today's David Colton is reporting that DC Comics will put out a comic book prequel for Fringe on August 27, two weeks prior to the pilot's September 9 premiere.

Abrams' TV 'Fringe' gets comic book prequel

The hip media empire of J.J. Abrams (Alias, Lost, Cloverfield, the next Star Trek film) expands into comic books this fall when DC Comics offers a prequel to his upcoming TV series on Fox, Fringe. Writers and artists are being decided, but DC says the comic version will hit the stands on Aug. 27, two weeks before the two-hour premiere airs on Sept. 9.

Speculation about the show is building at online fan sites amid word that the opener involves paranormal investigators looking into the mysterious landing of a jetliner with dead passengers. Sounds like a certain island, but the producers say the show will feature self-contained stories, à la Twilight Zone or X-Files, rather than one fantastic saga. Abrams is joined as executive producers on the project by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman, who also are working on the Star Trek reboot film expected in 2009. —David Colton

But will fans have to wait until August 27 for their first glimpse, or is the mere mention of comic enough to remind longtime Abrams fans of Comic-Con, which is scheduled this year for July 24 through 27.

Fringe - J.J. Abrams Talks Fringe

By the by, FOX Broadcasting has its own YouTube account where you'll occasionally find little gems like this one of JJ Abrams talking about Fringe.


Go behind the scenes of Fringe with J.J. Abrams! Catch the series premiere of Fringe, TUE (9/9) at 8/7c, only on FOX!

Here is the transcript:

Fringe is my favorite kind of show, because it takes people that you really like, that you really care about, that you want to be with, and work with, and it puts them into the scariest situation that you've ever seen in your life. And it allows there to be this kind of safety and comedy in the face of "udder" terror. I believe that's sort of the greatest combination of things.

The key to casting anyone, is that when you see them, they own it. It's not a question of even casting. It's a question of hopefully and luckily finding the person who just claims the role, and when you feel like you are giving someone a part, it's not the right move. When you feel like you've found the person who own it, who claim it, that's the right thing.

When we saw Anna’s audition, and obviously the first audition I saw of her was for something else, it was something through her agent, I just thought "OMG" we found Olivia. She brings a very unique energy, a wonderful thoughtfulness, an intelligence, and I think a very unique and distinct beautiful look.

The role of Walter is a tricky one, because you need him to be real, relatable and also, at times, out of his mind. And he's a very untrustworthy mentor in a way, and so you have to go with him, and at the same time you're not quite sure whether or not he even knows where he is or what he's doing.

And finally, with Peter - with Josh Jackson - I think he is not only a wonderful actor, but he's so funny, he's got such a great wit, and an incredible innate skill to be acerbic without ever, I hope, going to a place of feeling phony or glib.

There are some scenes in this pilot, that are straight out of my/our nightmares. Things that are very relatable situations. There's a sequence on an airplane, starts off, and it could be any of us on any flight, and where it goes, is particularly terrifying. But it's that kind of thing that always grabs me, because it's not just the what, it's the why.

Is There a Fringe ARG? Maybe. Is it Holomove? Nope.

Dennis, who has been following the Holomove ARG closely in Unfiction, informs me that Holomove is not only not related to Fringe, it's not even related to FOX, and is instead a Microsoft production:

Holomove
In collaboration with Visual Studio, Microsoft has created the ultimate challenge that tells the story of Nathan Bozeman who gets the chance to change the world, but at an extraordinary price. Since the immersive game began in May 2008, it has captivated players around the world. Find out what’s happened so far and join the adventure—there’s still time to get involved.

You may recall we speculated that the Future on Fox blog's hint could be nothing more than a wild goose chase. Well, that's exactly what it was. Why would the people at FOX send potential "future" fans down the wrong rabbit hole? Good question.

Fringe Premiere Moved Back From August 26 to September 9, 2008

Fox has move the premiere of Fringe back 2 weeks to September 9, 2008. Still Tuesday. Still 8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT.

Does Fox's Remote Free TV Concept Deserve Full Credit For Commercial Pricing Premiums?

Mediaweek is crediting Fox's Remote Free TV plan (i.e. fewer commercials) for the reported "35-40 percent pricing premiums for commercials [on] its two new 2008-09 season dramas, Fringe and The Dollhouse." However, Fringe and Dollhouse aren't your run of the mill new shows. The reality is both shows already have fan bases, and if Fox is wise to the potential of the nomadic tribes of JJ Abrams and Joss Whedon, surely advertisers are too.

Remote Free TV might be the tangible cause 'media agency sources' point too in explaining the effect of increased pricing, but a true test of The Remote Free TV concept, Fringe and Dollhouse are not.

Fringe's Official Site on Fox Just Got a Bit More Dynamic and Mysterious

If you've visited Fox's official site for Fringe before, you're familiar with how it cycles through the 6 fingered hand, leaf and apple images. That aspect of the site hasn't changed, but now, if you hover your mouse over the images, the cycling pauses and the image it is paused on undergoes a transformation as diagrams and scientific notations appear in the background and color is added to the curiosity or oddity (i.e. the 6th finger of the hand, the triangle in the leaf or the fetuses in the apple core). What's more, the images now contain links:


Clicking on the leaf activates a video player which plays the Fringe Trailer.


Clicking on the apple opens a new window to the Future on Fox Blog, Category Fringe.


Clicking on the hand opens a window to YouTube and a video of a 12 fingered man.



Considering the first two links--Trailer and Fox blog--are above board promotions (as opposed to viral), I doubt there's more to the YouTube video or its owner, Stuart Sims, than meets the eye. Nevertheless, I've emailed Mr. Sims asking him about his involvement, if any, with Fox and Fringe. While it's not the sort of thing he would be at liberty to confirm, he could certainly deny it. I'll update this post if I get a response.

UPDATE: Stuart (aka Master Quark, the video's owner) claimed no knowledge of, nor connection to Fringe:

Re: portaltoindia message by MasteQuark Jun 04, 2008; 07:54am ::

Hi
After spending all morning trying to register and sifting through this Fringe thing.....I'm finally able to log on!

Yes, I see my 12 fingered man...and am happy.
How it got there-I do not have a clue. Ask the guys who built the site!
But leave it...OK...will boost my 1,000 to 2,000 hits a day on YouTube..LOL

Stuart
for Louise and Stuart's AMazing India

Where is the spell checker......?

http://youtube.com/portaltoindia

Fringe (Rough Cut 90 Or So Minute) Pilot Screened & Reviewed

This is the sign on the road that warns you of road work ahead and to be prepared to stop. Only it's not road work ahead, it's spoiler warnings ahead, and while they'll tell you when to stop, you follow links herein at your own risk.

Synopsis of the Fringe Pilot Reviews:

TVWeek's Vlada Gelman is robotic and matter-of-fact (wasted). With the exception of a few superficial observations, it's a completely neutral review.

Sci Fi Wire's Patrick Lee uses all the right key words, but forgets to have an opinion.

IGN's Eric Goldman breaks ranks with Vlada and Patrick and dares to write at length about his impressions. His review ends with, "...once the core trio of characters are united, it's very easy to see how this series -- and the dynamic these characters bring -- will work and it's a journey many will likely find worth taking."

TV Squad's Kristin Sample naivete bubbles just under the surface as she clearly took notes and made observations as if she were lucky enough to be attending an "event." Which, of course, she was. Thanks Kristin. Kristin's opinion, "If The X-Files and CSI had a baby and that baby's godfather was Heroes, then that would be Fringe. Sounds pretty good, right? Well, after attending a screening of J.J. Abrams' new show at Fox studios in Century City, I can vouch that it is indeed pretty good. One might even say it's more than pretty good; it's great in fact."

Variety's Cynthia Littleton breaks it down pros (plural) and con (singular) style and has some interesting reflections of the type you might expect from someone who has been paying attention to Fringe long enough to have developed a few preconceptions worth disproving.

E! Online's Jennifer Godwin gives the Fringe pilot the full treatment in an extensive review, but also writes, "Long story short? [Fringe is] super."

All told, and with the exception of a few minor quibbles and those that forgot to have an opinion, every last review was near glowing if not glowing.

IGN Inverviews JJ Abrams About Fringe

Eric Goldman proves he is a good man (read: he knows what the people want) as he scores an interview with J.J. Abrams and ask him nothing but questions about Fringe.

Question: How did Fringe come about? What was the inspiration for it?

J.J. Abrams: It was really just Alex Kurtzman, Bob Orci and myself just hanging out and talking about the kind of show we'd love to see on the air. For better or worse, like most of the things I do, it just comes from stuff that I'd love to watch. It's sort of a boring answer, but that's kind of what the truth is!

Question: What will we see on the show on a weekly basis? What's the core of the show?

Abrams: At the core of the show are three very distinct characters – this young woman, who's an FBI agent; this really eccentric, nutty and until recently institutionalized scientist; and his somewhat troubled and estranged son. [It's] this trio going up against this very shadowy network of [what are] essentially researchers, who are playing with science and pushing it in ways that are increasingly terrifying. And these three are basically the good guys who try to police them.

Question: For a lot of people, the frame of reference for this type of show is X-Files.

Abrams: Totally.

Question: What would you say to them about what sets Fringe apart from that show?

Abrams: I'd say the distinction is, for example, the way The X-Files massive distinction from The Night Stalker was that the characters were very distinct and different. I would say the characters on our show are incredibly different [from X-Files]. Are they up against crazy, seemingly paranormal and terrifying things, like they were in Night Stalker and in X-Files? For sure.

I was a huge X-Files fan, so I would be lying and an idiot if I didn't say that the inspiration for Fringe came from The Twilight Zone, came from Night Stalker, and came from X-Files. Those shows were so entertaining and that [type of] show, with characters that are inspired and interesting, isn't on TV and so it was something that we wanted to see.

Question: As [FOX's] Kevin Relly joked about, you have a reputation as "the ingénue finder." What was it about Anna that jumped out for you?

Abrams: [Pointing towards the attractive Torv, standing a few feet away] Well, she's just so damn ugly. No, the thing is that honestly we saw many, many, many really good actors, and there's that thing you're looking for that clicks. It often is just sort of an indescribable, strange quality. It was getting really down to the wire and a casting agent showed me this audition [tape] that Anna did for something else, an Australian show. And I just knew that was her, [even though] she wasn't reading our dialogue. Then we sent her five pages and she auditioned with that and it confirmed it. She came out and got the job.

Question: There's only so much of you that can physically go around. How much will you be involved with Fringe?

Abrams: Well, the best thing I can do to define my involvement is the way it was with Cloverfield, which was I had this idea for something and then [Drew] wrote the script. The beauty of having Matt Reeves direct Cloverfield and having Drew Goddard write it, is there is such a shorthand with these guys, who I know so well. Matt I've known since we were 13 and Drew I worked with on Alias and Lost. Jeff Pinker is running [Fringe]. Jeff was one of the first writers we hired on Alias and we have directors who are coming on who are in the family, the Bad Robot family, as well. And so my involvement is that A, it's a show that I co-created and care immensely about, and B, Jeff is there and we are talking 1000 times a day and I'm in the writers room. [Lost's] Bryan Burk is producing along with [Felicity's] Bob Williams; literally all these people are people I have worked with. So the ability to work on the show is made infinitely easier by being able to explain, talk about and reference things with people where I'm not starting from scratch trying to develop a dialogue.

For example, with Jeff Pinker, we start with, "This is what I feel the show wants to look like. This is how I feel week-to-week kind of how the show should feel." We start there on a big level. Then I can get the details and every big decision we are discussing; every big thing. Every step we come in, especially at the beginning, as with Lost. To work so closely with someone, as with Damon [Lindelof], who I created Lost with… We're so lucky that he stayed with that show and runs it now. My involvement with that show is negligible now, but he is a brilliant guy, as is Jeff. And I feel like as long as I can help begin the trajectory and work with the show and then, as needed, be available… On Lost, I wasn't needed very much after awhile, because Damon was just so good and so right. On this show, I so look forward to writing episodes and directing episodes. The thought of doing the show, especially since we're shooting in New York, I just feel so lucky that we have this opportunity. So my involvement will be real.

Question: Have you made a plan with Damon to share Lance Reddick? [Editor's Note: Reddick, who plays recurring character Matthew Abbadon on Lost, is a series regular on Fringe]

Abrams: [Laughs] We've figured out how that's gonna work. It will be easier for Lost to get him through us then if he'd taken some other show.

Source: IGN

E Online Inverviews Anna Torv and Joshua Jackson, the Stars of J.J. Abrams' & FOX's New Drama Fringe

Here's a video interview with two of Fringe's stars, Anna Torv (Olivia Dunham) and Joshua Jackson (Peter Bishop).



...The answer is, it's a limitless universe on Fringe, so anything and every thing they can dream up, hopefully we will be able to put on screen. One other note--aside from the scarf(!?)--is how Joshua comes to Anna's rescue in the interview, and whether in typical Abrams leading lady fashion, that dynamic is reversed on screen.