Monday’s press tour saw FOX Entertainment President Kevin Reilly lavish praise on the serial risk-taker that is Fringe. While I’m loathe to read too much into comments he made about the show (all of them ‘positive’), I do wonder whether there’s a subtext that suggests the new season will see Fringe under more pressure to expand its audience than ever before?
Reilly was full of praise for Fringe and hinted that there would be minimum scheduling changes and script interference, saying:
“We have no intention of screwing with Fringe because the show has been going great”.
Which is great, but exactly what you’d expect him to say less than two months before the new season begins. The proof will be in the pudding – for instance, if the show has less interruptions as it has in previous seasons.
However, Reilly also threw out a reasonable but revealing comment regarding the show’s ratings.
“It really came into its own last season. If I have any frustration it’s that I’d like the audience to be bigger because people deserve to see the work.”
Now, as I said, it’s perfectly natural for the network to have ‘frustrations’ over last season’s ratings – as a massive fan of the show I was also frustrated, even though I was always confident about a third season. But on an subconscious level, Reilly’s comment suggests two things:
1. That the network desperately want Fringe to grow its audience share next season. Like the fans, they believe that the work being done on the show deserves (and perhaps, ‘needs’) more people to see it. Aside from quality scripts, great acting and compelling stories, the challenge is to leverage the show amongst the audience.
2. That this ‘frustration’ might well lead to ‘impatience’ if ratings don’t improve in season 3. With Lost moving on to the shining light in the sky, and less immediate competition on the serialized front (although V and NBC’s The Event might have something to say about that), they may feel that the show will never have a better chance to succeed both creatively and financially.
Now, the last thing I want to do is ‘scaremonger’ people into believing that Fringe is in danger of the chop. My personal view is that the show will excel on all fronts this season. However, there’s little denying that Fringe is probably under more pressure to grab audience attention (overnight ratings, legal online viewing and buzz) than ever before. Certainly since the Pilot episode.
Now, what did I say about not reading too much into those comments? Um, yeah.
Loading ...What do you think – is Fringe under any extra pressure to succeed ratings-wise this coming season?
I don't think I've ever been the first person to vote before… I wasn't expecting that. I guess I'll have check back in a few days to see what other people think!
I voted for about the same because, while I agree that Fringe is definitely still under close scrutiny and there's a lot of pressure for it to really deliver and grow this season, I also feel like the pressure was just as great last season when it was moved to Thursday against tough competition. And, might I just add that I think it held up pretty well given what it was up against. While I am still concerned for the future of Fringe, there are also many things that are encouraging and reassuring to me.
For one, I believe that there are several other shows on FOX that are likely to go before Fringe does. Current scripted programs on FOX include Bones, House, Fringe, Lie to Me, Glee, Human Target, and The Good Guys. Among those shows, you've got the ones that are pretty solid, like Bones, House, and Glee (even though I still can't grasp the success of that show…). Looking at what you've got left, there's really no doubt that Fringe is at the top of the group. I would expect to see Lie to Me, Human Target, and The Good Guys all get canceled before they consider canceling Fringe.
Another thing Fringe has going for it is that, going into its third season, it is established (no longer a newbie) and has the potential to become the next veteran show on FOX. I don't know how much longer Bones and House will be around, but those are currently FOX's old-timers that have done well for the network. However, I think they have both passed their prime, and I have to imagine that their time is starting to run out. FOX is going to need developing shows to take their place in the next year or so. Take out Fringe, and you're pretty much left with Glee. I just don't see FOX canceling a progressing show with the potential to fill those spots when those older shows leave.
Another thing is the support Fringe seems to have, both from the network and from the fans. Everything I've heard and seen from the network executives seems to show a lot of support for Fringe. They seem more than pleased with the show and they even seem to be fans themselves. They seem optimistic about Fringe and like they want it to succeed. If you've got the network on your side, you can at least know that they will fight for your show. And Fringe seems to be growing in popularity among viewers as well. I feel like there has been a lot of positive feedback surrounding Season 2, and it seems like it is becoming one of the shows that people support and love to talk about. It seems like there has been a lot of focus on Fringe over the summer, which is more than some shows can say. This gives me the hope that we will see a growth in ratings when it returns in September.
I know there was a lot of talk last season about how the Fringe producers and creators would love to have a scenario similar to that of Lost, where they would be able to arrange a set end date for Fringe so that they will know how long the show will be around and can plan accordingly. From what I've heard, Lost was able to make those plans in the midst of its third season. So I am crossing my fingers that something like that might be possible for Fringe, and if Fringe does well this season, if could be something that develops this year.
So, yes, there is pressure for Fringe, but there are also a lot of things that have helped to slightly ease my fears. Of course I won't be able to rest easy as long as there is any doubt surrounding the future of Fringe, but I remain optimistic that Fringe will return strong in Season 3 and that it will be able to continue for several seasons more.
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Very insightful points mlj – it's always good to get your perspective!
I pretty much agree with everything you said – even though I personally believe that the show is under slightly more pressure to deliver (increased ratings) than this time last year – especially with Lost having finished and the exceptional end to Fringe's second season. Though I appreciate where you're coming from regarding the Thursday switch.
You're right to point out that other FOX shows are more likely to go before Fringe. My only quibble is that Fringe has a tougher and more demanding time-slot, so while there are weaker and less highly rating shows under the FOX umbrella, I'm not quite sure that this is as big a comfort blanket as it appears. That said, I essentially agree with your point.
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