...and quality sci-fi television managed to survive on the networks for at least another year.
Perhaps to make amends for the fact it cancelled Dollhouse, or perhaps simply because it is one of the best shows on television, FOX has decided to renew Fringe for a third season. The series, which was one of 2008's highest rated new shows, was on the bubble for renewal after the first half of its second season, which received lukewarm viewership due to the difficult timeslot it was placed in.
Fringe centers around a team of FBI agents and scientists who solve cases regarding scientific atrocities, including flesh-melting viruses, mutated humans, and a mysterious alternate universe which is threatening to destroy this one.The series, created by J.J. Abrams, has been critically acclaimed for its well-written storyline and memorable characters (Walter Bishop, despite his short time on television, is already close to iconic status). However, that doesn't mean that the show has been a ratings darling. The show's second season, currently on hiatus until April, has only managed to garner a middling 7.5 million viewers -- not bad, but not stellar. It's also ranked #50 in the 18-49 age demographic, which it primarily should appeal to.
However, DVR ratings helped the show immensely, it seems, especially since Fringe was up against The Office, CSI, Grey's Anatomy, and even the CW's Supernatural, another genre staple. It's unknown whether or not Fringe will change timeslots for its third season, but that would look like a smart move for FOX.
Fringe's renewal might mean that things are looking slightly more grim for FOX's series Lie to Me. The sophomore series, starring Tim Roth as a human lie detector, has been partnered with House (FOX's leading scripted series) for the past season, and hasn't quite managed to capture House's immense viewership, despite the two being quite similar.
Fringe has aired fourteen episodes of its twenty-three episode season, and will return on April 1 with the mythology-heavy episode "Peter." Fringe watchers everywhere can relax with the knowledge that we'll get at least one more year of the brilliant series, which might serve to fill the void left by LOST's end in May.
Check out WaltersLab.com, a member of the TVOvermind family, for Fringe investigations, news, and more.
This is fantastic news! You've made my day, Sam!! Now, if only the hiatus would end already!
I am very glad to see Fringe was spared. This does not make amends for canceling Dollhouse however.Save Dollhouse. Sign petitions and send emails. http://toresimonsen.wordpress.com
Yay!