Fox has really been great in the last two years, about giving members of the press the opportunity to talk to cast and crew of many of its shows. Then again, seeing the enthuasism of some and the relative ease with which one can organize conference calls, it doesn’t come as that big a surprise.
Joel Howard Wyman & Jeff Pinkner, the executive producers of Fringe, are always enthusiastic and bubbly when we have talked to them in conference calls, and this time was no exception. The interview actually started up with some good laughs as Wyman warned us that: “everything is being recorded so WikiLeaks is getting this too so don’t say anything that you don’t expect to go out on all diplomatic channels”.
What with the move to Friday’s death slot, questions were bound to arise. Wyman and Pinkner don’t seem worried at all about said move. The latter tells us that the team is quite excited, as they “think it's open territory that can be conquered. We really do believe our fans are loyal, and I believe they’re going to follow. It’s a chance for us to get away from that statement that Friday night is not an opportune night though, and that we can actually deliver like The X-Files did”.
Wyman explained that: “when Fox informed us of the move, what was most important to us is that we understood that our audience watches the show not like a standalone audience watches the show, but they are actually watching it as an investment over time. The long arching story we have planned for our characters is going to get told. It’s funny; there are more Fringe fans at Fox than any show we’ve ever worked on before. I think they and we all feel that if we can build a fan base on and sort of like carve out some territory on Friday night we can be there for years.” That is certainly very good news for fans who have, as Pinkner mentioned, invested a lot of time in the show the last three years.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Scrapyard
As long as executives take into consideration the ever-growing number of viewers who use DVRs and the internet (i.e. Hulu.com) to watch shows, time is relative.
Sadly, when it comes to ratings, advertisers don't see it the same way.
In the end, successful shows, which have developed a strong fan-base, are doomed because audiences are evolving, but the market remains static.
I will continue to watch shows like Fringe through my preferred method (Hulu.com) until executives do what they inevitably must, but it is my firm hope they take people like me into consideration when a show goes to the chopping block.
2 - Sahar
Excellent point, Scrapyard. There are way too many amazing shows that were scrapped in the last couple of years that were just brilliant, but that had fanbases mostly on the internet. I wonder when studios are finally going to realise what they are missing out on!
3 - john b
I think most companies don't understand how many people watch these shows on Hulu, or on DVR.
In fact, the people who are watching this on DVR or on Hulu are much more dedicated fans.
4 - Karen
I will follow this show which ever night they decide to show it on. I simply tape it and watch it at my own convenience. I am so hooked on fringe, it's not funny. This show is the only show I faithfully watch. Keep up the good work.
5 - Sahar
John - I agree. We watch them on DVR or Hulu because we want to enjoy the show, not just watch it because it's airing or because it's part of our routine!
Karen - I agree with you, too - I will watch it whatever night they air, then rewatch each episode many, many time. And thank you for the encouragement - I love the lovely long comment you made on my review of Amber!
6 - Carrie
Love, love, love this show! Keep them coming guys. You have a loyal and faithful audience!
7 - hilz
One of the ONLY shows worth watching right now. Hooked from Season One. LOVE this show.
8 - Sahar
Carrie - I totally agree, they should keep'em coming :)
hilz - Me too. There aren't that many shows out there - if any - that I'd consider spending so much time on!
Thanks for reading :)
9 - Scooter
The comments on Hulu and DVRing are spot on. Market has evolved, but the measurements and data collection have not. AWEsome show and I will follow it no matter what time slot it's on. Keep this show on.
10 - Greg
I love this show and would hate to see Fox kill another great show. But it doesn't come down to just the number of viewers even if they do count DVR and Hulu. It's about how much revenue is generated from the show in total. Hopefully ad market and sales prices for ads on Hulu are keeping up with the number of viewers.
11 - shellie
I have to tell you how much I love this show. I've got the first season on DVD and am watching in between the current episode. If you move it again, could you please let those of us watching on television know where it's going??
12 - Sahar
Greg - and the problem is that corporations tend to get greedier and greedier... Although it can be assumed that JJ Abrams has some pull with the network, what with the success of Lost ;)
13 - Emy
Fringe is a great show to say the least. I too hope Fox keeps this show on and also I'll watch this show no matter what day it comes on.
14 - CAROLYN
I AGREE!!
This show is the only show I faithfully watch, and I follow it on hulu, 'cose I have no cable...
15 - mike
Outstanding absolutely THE best show on the air now! I will follow faithfully to friday night.
16 - James Connor
I get Fringe on iTunes. It's worth the cost and then some. You guys are right about how the studio execs are way behind the audience on the internet, because they haven't figured out where the big money is on the internet. Maybe they should ask Google. Book publishers have the same problem.
17 - FoxFrustrated
FOX will sorely loose another price point if HULU and other outlets are not taken into consideration. Digital signals are not great for some of us not in major metrapolitan areas, Hulu is about all I have at this point. Losing Fringe would be a huge lapse in judgement. Then again FOX has made a few questionable decisions. Ratings Rule; "We can keep trying to find our target. We have all the time in the world, or should we rename ourselves SciFi erm... Syfy... erm Foxy.... erm ..... Hey!
Reality TV" ... people don't have enough reality on a daily basis! or perhaps a CSI clone... naw been done, again and again... Lets shoot for... something different... then slap it into the doomsday slot and call it a day.
FOX defied all broacast odds with a very small product offering, and may be forgetting where they came from. Times have changed, Fox's metric may not have.
Love ya Fox but you really make me wonder! Those first few years were ground breaking. 21 Jump Street, The X-Files, The Simpsons....
18 - Fringe Commercial Watcher
Great, here we go.... It's decisions like this, that make me understand why nothing good is on FOX ever. When the hell is FOX going to finally drop American Idol?! Geez, FOX is CLINGING to American Idol with a Death Grip. And it's those kinds of mistakes that will kill FOX, once again.
Fringe is the ONLY reason why I watch FOX. (And I only watch Family Guy Online. ...those are the only shows I watch from FOX, and thats saying something cuz I used to watch the Simpsons for over 15 yrs. but haven't seen a single Simpsons episode in 5 yrs.)
FOX needs really get with it. American Idol is dead, Cleveland show is dumb, American Dad is dumb.
Oh and by the way, I am the type of T.V. watcher who HATES commercials. Every time a commercial comes on I change the channel...I in effect watch two shows at the exact same time...But when I watch Fringe I NEVER change the Channel. I watch ALL commercials that are shown during Fringe's Air Time.
Big BIG BIG Mistake for FOX to move Fringe to Fridays. You know what, I just gonna stop watchin Fringe now so that way when Fringe gets cancelled by FOX (because of FOX's Death Grip Hold on American Money Maker Idol) I won't have to worry.
PEACE OUT FOX. You have lost a T.V. Viewer and you can Explain that to Fringe's Product Sponsors.
[gratuitous vulgarity deleted by comments editor]
19 - Sally
This is one of the best shows (besides Bones) that I watch and record regularly. Don't care what night it is on, but don't understand why it is being moved from a perfectly great day and time slot. But no matter, I am a dedicated fan and so is my family, so I'll still be watching. Please don't let anything happen to this program - just keep the great episodes coming!!.
20 - Sahar
One thing perhaps that FOX hasn't taken into consideration is the dedicated fans Fringe has - hopefully it'll be enough to either have Fringe moved back to Thursday, or to totally redefine Friday evenings à la X-Files ;)
21 - Felipe Fonseca
Although i don't live in the USA, i definitely find FRINGE the greatest and more entertainment TV show that has ever been created....i wish Fox really understand the huge amount of fans that fringe has in the entire world and keep the show going for a lot of seasons!
22 - Cathy
Love,love,love this show! Will watch it no matter what night it's on.
23 - StotheA
Hey- come on Fox: You'd better not be canceling this show- there isn't any other show like this on television- amazing stories-characters that suck you in- but you already know this...so Friday night's here we come! I am crossin' the fingers for at least 5 seasons- or if I may go out on a limb- 7?
YES!
24 - YSPDRT
LOVE THE SHOW!! Will watch it any night, any time! Best show on TV, hands down. The characters, drama and story line mixed with science fiction have never been done so cleverly IMHO. Hooked since episode 1.
25 - Ted Turner
Most TV shows are written by pot heads who think they are witty, funny, intelligent but are not those. Fringe is a show about an mad scientist (ok, he smokes pot) that is as funny and refreshing as they come. It is engrossing to watch a show like Fringe. The actors are brilliant (John Noble should win an emmy) The writing is cogent and makes you think without being predictable, or transparent. Even the characters are multidimensional and question themselves and their own place in this world. Quite an array of subtle undertones and hinted accompaniements to the main score (story) exist throughout.