American Idol Tonight

Tonight is the premiere of the eighth season (!) of American Idol, which means no new Fringe. However the wait is almost over, because Fringe will be back next week with an all new episode - Bound.

But don't turn off the TV quite yet... because it's possible we could see an appearance from our good friend The Observer. No, not hiding on the sidelines like on Sunday's NFL game, but actually singing. Don't believe it? Check out this video featuring the bald one himself, Michael Cerveris, singing in Sweeny Todd (@ 2:30):

Fringe Will Return For Season 2 This Fall?

The Hollywood Reporter, covering the 2009 TCA Winter Press Tour, is reporting that FOX entertainment president Kevin Reilly "heavily hinted" that Fringe will return in the fall for a second season!

It's a keeper ... They've really found the storytelling model now ... what you're going to see in the second half in the year, if you follow the serialized story you're going to find [satisfying content each week and yet] the stories really do re-set themselves each week I would not expect it to take off after 'Idol' but I do think it will tick up another level.

Perhaps he meant the second-half of the First season? Either way, it sounds like he is a big Fringe fan, and the show will be sticking around for a while.

Reilly was also asked about the Remote-Free TV experiment used on Fringe:

Will the RemoteFreeTV experiment continue? If Fox has its way, yes, but the model that uses half as many commercials for shows like "Fringe" and "Dollhouse" remain a tough sell for advertisers. When asked if RemoteFree was a success, Reilly says, "For the most part, yes. Viewer feedback was great ... advertisers were very happy ... studies showed retention was high ... but not every advertiser wants to pay that premium." Plus, there's an additional production factor of doing shows that are slightly longer than usual.

Joshua Jackson on Cosmopolitan Cover

Joshua Jackson is on the cover of Cosmopolitan magazine, and in a feature titled "Fun Fearless Males 2009". It's mostly "ship" talk, but he does mention Fringe:

Q: Any close calls on the Fringe set?
A: During a torture scene, I had a wire up my nose, and it pierced my sinus. I was gushing blood. That’s when you realize what you do for a living is totally absurd.

Q: Do you and your character have anything in common?
A: Neither of us are joiners. I'm not religious, mostly because I think the organization of it perverts the idea of spirituality.

[scans: Joshua Jackson Network]

Fringe: Next Episode Clue #1

In addition to an appearance by The Observer, each episode of Fringe contains a hidden clue (Easter egg), that foreshadows something that will happen in the next episode. Over the next nine days leading up to the spring premiere, I will be posting videos of the clues from each Fringe episode.

Here is the "Next Episode Clue" from Fringe episode 101: Pilot.

For more hidden clues, check out the Fringe Easter Eggs section.

Fringe's Observer on Fox's NFL Sunday Game

The Observer made a surprise appearance on FOX's NFL Sunday football game between the Giants and the Eagles, standing on the sidelines observing the game. Reportedly, this is not the first time the Fringe character has made an appearance at an NFL game, but this is the first time someone has captured the footage, and posted it to YouTube. The quality of the video is not the greatest, but you'll get the picture. If anyone has a better recording, or finds a better video, let me know.

[screenshot: The ODI / video: heavyraines17]

Anna Torv Fringe Photo Shoot

Here are some promotional photos of the lovely Ann Torv, who plays Olivia Dunham on Fringe.

Fringe Podcast Roundtable

The Fringe Dwellers (Jen & Adele) along with The Fringe Podcast crew (Darrell, Courtney & Clint), Wayne from Wayne's Take on Fringe and David Wu of Fringemunks fame joins forces to discuss the first ten episodes of Fringe, Season 1.

Download High Quality (92.8 MB)

Listen Now, High Quality:



UPDATE: Some people are having trouble downloading the high quality version. I have upload a lower quality version here:

Download Low Quality (46.6 MB)

Listen Now, Low Quality:


For more information on the podcasters, visit:

• Fringe Dwellers Podcast
• The Fringe Podcast
• Wayne's Take on Fringe
• David Wu's Fringemunks
  

Also, check out the Fringe Podcast Network, the one-stop location for these and all other Fringe podcasts!

People's Choice Awards Tonight

The People's Choice Awards show is tonight (9 pm on CBS), and Fringe is nominated for Favorite New TV Drama. Unlike most of the other categories, voting is still open for this category - right up until the show airs! So head over to PCAvote.com and vote for Fringe, before it's too late!

UPDATE: The Mentalist, which is a CBS show, won. The People's Choice Awards ... also on CBS ... just sayin'... ** cough ** ** cough ** RIGGED ** cough ** ...

John Noble on Good Day LA

John Noble, who plays Dr. Walter Bishop on Fringe, was interviewed Monday on Good Day LA. The first video featured a clip from the upcoming episode Bound, which I edited it out, and placed in the Fringe Spoilers section. The second video is a web extra interview.

Tonight On Fringe: In Which We Meet Mr. Jones

Tonight's episode of Fringe is an encore performance (repeat) of In Which We Meet Mr. Jones (Fringe Episode #107).

Every second counts when a strange, almost-otherworldly parasite mysteriously attaches itself to the internal organs of a dying FBI agent. With a life on the line and strong suspicions of a Pattern connection, Agent Dunham rushes to Germany to meet with an imprisoned man who reveals disconcerting details of a much larger threat. Meanwhile, Peter and Walter attempt to help Olivia by tapping into a dead man's brainwaves.

In Which We Meet Mr. Jones links:

• Episode discussion can be found over in the Fringe Episodes section
• Screencaps and Easter Eggs are in the Fringe Screencaps section
• Screenshots of the entire episode can be found in the Fringe Gallery
  
• Fringepedia.net has In Which We Meet Mr. Jones wiki page
• Podcasts for this episode are on the Fringe Podcast network
• The Observer can be spotted at the Frankfort airport, just before Olivia arrives. You can see screenshots all of his appearances here, or in this Observer mashup video.

There is no episode of Fringe next week - to make way for the season premier of American Idol. Fringe will be back on January 20th, following American Idol, with the all new episode Bound. For a sneak peek at Bound, check out the Fringe Spoilers section.

Last Night On Fringe: The Cure

Last night's episode of Fringe is an encore performance (repeat) of The Cure (Fringe Episode #106).

After weeks of being reported missing, a woman with a rare disease resurfaces in suburban Massachusetts and inexplicably causes excruciating pain and subsequent death to those she encounters. As the gruesome scene is investigated, dangerous levels of radiation are detected, and unusual circumstances surrounding the case point to illegal human drug trials and possibly something even more sinister. Meanwhile, Walter obsesses about cotton candy, Peter strikes a bargain with Nina Sharp and a startling piece of Olivia's past is revealed.

The Cure links:

• Episode discussion can be found over in the Fringe Episodes section
• Screencaps and Easter Eggs are in the Fringe Screencaps section
• Screenshots of the entire episode can be found in the Fringe Gallery
  
• Fringepedia.net has The Cure wiki page
• Podcasts for this episode are on the Fringe Podcast network
• The Observer can be spotted exiting the doomed elevator seconds before it crashes. You can see screenshots all of his appearances here, or in this Observer mashup video.

Next week's episode of Fringe will be a repeat of In Which We Meet Mr. Jones (#107), then the following week will be the premiere of the new season of American Idol.

The next new Fringe episode is Bound (#111), which will directly follow American Idol on January 20th.

Happy Birthday Bryan Burk!

Happy Birthday to Bryan Burk, who is 40 today!

"Burky" is the Executive Producer of Fringe, and has worked with J.J. Abrams on Alias, Lost, Cloverfield, and the upcoming Star Trek movie.

For other Fringe Birthdays, check out the Fringe Television Birthday Calendar!

* Thanks to hijinx at EvilPuppetMasters!