Well, Fringe fans, it's looking more and more clear that season four will be the final season of the sci-fi drama. The series returns on Friday, January 13, with an all new (fantastic) episode, but upon its return, we might be looking down the barrel toward the series finale.
That's despite the efforts of FOX president Kevin Reilly, a self-proclaimed Fringe fanatic. At the TCA today, he called his efforts to keep the show on air "a point of pride," though he acknowledged that it was much more difficult to justify another renewal for the series. "We lose a lot of money on that show," he confirmed. "At that rating, on that night [Fridays], it’s impossible to make money… and we’re not in the business of losing money.”
So does that mean that Fringe is cancelled? Well, not yet, Reilly said; nothing has been decided, so Fringe fans shouldn't start a letter-writing campaign to FOX to save the show (but really, how effective are those anyway?).
The only way Fringe could possibly be saved, Reilly hinted, would be massive budget cuts for the series. The budget for season 4 has already been much lower than previous seasons, as has probably been obvious to anyone who has watched the show this year. Thankfully, the quality of the show hasn't gone down too much, other than the increased frequency of those annoying product placements that we all just try to ignore. Slashing the budget again, though, would probably be a detriment to the show, stifling the writers creatively and probably forcing several main characters to be written out of the show.
So, as I've said many times before, I think it is time to end Fringe -- but the decision needs to be made soon. I've always been a proponent of the shortened fifth season as a way to wrap up the series, but if that won't be possible (and it seems unlikely), I think it's best that FOX comes to a decision quickly, so that head writers Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman can give us the satisfying conclusion that Fringe and its audience deserve.
Update: Reilly has confirmed that no decision will be made until after the season 4 finale is written, meaning that if the show is cancelled, we might have to rely on a rumored comic-book miniseries to close out the show.
On the brighter side of things, it doesn't look like Fringe will be going out on a low note, if it does at all. Fringe online marketing guru Ari Margolis has confirmed to me that the next seven episodes of the show are insane. "People are gonna go nuts," he confirmed.
I can't wait.
Check out the rest of the FOX TCA news here.
Fringe returns Friday, January 13 with the midseason premiere, "Back to Where You've Never Been." Watch it.
I think your "I think it is time to end Fringe" is a tad premature.
The chances are very slim, but a shortened fifth season could happen.
Also, I don't particular WANT to see the stories wrapped up neatly. Leave the door open for the future, I say.
I'm sad. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fifth-Season-for-Fr…
I will have a hissy fit if they end the show via graphic novels. That's lame.
Seriously!! Please Fringe Fans….if you love this show, watch it live! Check in, tweet, make sure FOX knows we're here :D #FringeSeason5 @FringeonFOX
Sam, I really wish you'd keep your negativity to yourself!! If there were less pessimists like you running around, we'd all be better off. If you put your positive thoughts towards Fringe for a 5th season, then maybe we'd stand a better chance! I don't want Fringe to pull an X-Files and run 3 seasons too long, but I do want it to have it's full run!! This show could comfortably run 7 seasons and that is what the showrunners planned. Let it run it's natural course. EVERYBODY WATCH FRINGE LIVE ON FRIDAYS!!! Write letters, send e-mails and post on Twitter and GetGlue. We can save this show! If they could save Chuck, surely we can save FRINGE!!!
Please fans, we need enough support for this show. Dont want this to be last season as there is hope of FOX give use Fringe Season 5.
How about moving the show FROM FRIDAY!! Fringe and Chuck both got killed because of Friday night TV.
I'm sorry but its more than past time for TV networks to get up to speed on technology when it comes to determining viewerships. With dvrs and instant streaming 24/7 not many people take the time to actually sit down and watch a show when its on. Too many decent shows are getting canned because stupid networks only count people who watch it when its on-air or next day dvr viewings. Many shows its downright unbearable to watch due to commericals. An hour show averages only about 42 minutes of actual show. That almost 20 min of commercials, ridiculous.
ok. ok. I'm a little late to this "party," but in case we get the worst case scenario can I pitch SyFy to buy it and continue to make new ones?! come on, build in fan base! They're loosing Eureka, and lets be honnest, the BBC version of Being Human is better. An awesome new established show could be perfect. Anyone? Bueller?
Definitely not SyFy as they are well known mutilators of good scifi shows typically when they decide the show costs too much money and then fast forward to the last show to save money.
"At that rating, on that night [Fridays], it’s impossible to make money… and we’re not in the business of losing money.” ~ FOX president Kevin Reilly
It is obviously in the wrong time slot, and Mr. Reilly sees that. It will be moved first. If it cannot make it in a less competitive slot, then it will be cancelled, but I doubt it will be cancelled from this slot.
Americans it's all your fault!!!!!!!