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How the "American Idol" Time-Slot Move May Signal the Death of "Fringe"

By Dustin Rowles | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (26)

fringe fox.jpg

Fox has unleashed its mid-season lineup, and there are a couple of big changes afoot. Foremost among them will be Fox’s decision to move “American Idol” from its regular Tuesday/Wednesday timeslot to Wednesday/Thursday, which means the results show will now go head-to-head with “Big Bang Theory” and (gasp) “Community.” I’m actually not that worried about “Community,” as I imagine there’s little crossover, and if “Community” can maintain the same ratings against “American Idol,” it’ll actually bode well for a third-season of the comedy (that is, assuming too, that NBC’s three-hour comedy block on Thursdays pays off).

The bad news here, at least for fans of “Fringe,” is that it’s getting moved to the time-slot graveyard, Fridays at 9 EST (remember what happened when “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” and “Dollhouse” were moved to that time slot? “Fringe” only needs a guest spot from Summer Glau to gaurantee it won’t get a fourth season.

There might be some hope, however. It will not follow the ratings reliable “Kitching Nightmares” on Friday (although, that also makes for a terrible combination). But it also might be a smart move by Fox. “Fringe,” like “Parenthood,” is one of those television shows that does very well on DVR, which suggests that most folks, like myself, watch NBC on Thursdays and save “Fringe” for the weekend. DVR audiences won’t care that much about the time shift. And the expectations on Friday night are not as high. But then again, save for “The Ghost Whisperer” and news serials, nothing ever survives for very long on Friday nights. Keep your fingers crossed — Joshua Jackson (RIP) may yet die again.

Fox has also picked up a single-camera office comedy starring, of all people, Christain Slater, who has yet to take a television series to a second season after two tries. In April, it will get a cushy post-“American Idol” slot on Wednesdays. Meanwhile, “Glee” and “Raising Hope” will continue to anchor Tuesdays, and “Running Wilde” has been pulled. It will be replaced by “Mixed Signals,” It looks surprisingly decent (and hopefully a nice compliment to “Raising Hope”).










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Comments

Why does Fox even bother scheduling Friday night? If it's so bad, why not just show Thursday's schedule over again?

Posted by: Keith at November 22, 2010 11:24 AM

Wait a minute...this actually looks interesting. And...
Nope, never mind. It's on Fox. It's doomed.

Posted by: Jim Doggie at November 22, 2010 11:25 AM

No! I love Fringe & it is very convenient for me that it comes after my other favy, Bones. Oh well, its not like it matters all that much since we have no social life...

Posted by: Bodhi at November 22, 2010 11:28 AM

Stupid Fox.

Posted by: JenVegas at November 22, 2010 11:31 AM

"American Idol" is ready for a huge nosedive, so I'm not at all worried about "Community." Jennifer Lopez is a narcissist of the highest order, Steven Tyler looks like a coke-addled Cryptkeeper, and Randy Jackson only knows 17 words in English that he repeats over, and over, and over. Ryan Seacrest's immaculate grooming standards and the overwhelming number of hilariously delusional singers in this country will not keep this cumbersome turd afloat for long.

I want everyone's word that not only will you NOT watch "American Idol," but you will actively discourage everyone you know from watching it.

I'll start:

I swear it, Kballs.

Posted by: Kballs at November 22, 2010 11:35 AM

This is why I jumped off that train after Season 1. I knew Fox would screw it up.

Posted by: Fredo at November 22, 2010 11:41 AM

I had to check on Human Target, but it looks like it's ok and will end up being on after AI so I'm happy.

Posted by: Matt at November 22, 2010 11:47 AM

Oh wow, I completely forgot about Fringe and Bones. I used to catch these shows on the weekend, but I haven’t checked in months. Ooops. I guess this shows exactly how much I care.

Thanksgiving post dinner stupor might be the best time to catch up on these. Poor Joshua. RIP.

Posted by: Scully at November 22, 2010 11:49 AM

DVR audiences won’t care that much about the time shift.

But advertisers will care, won't they? And isn't that who really decides the fate of shows?

Doesn't matter that much to me either way, sad to say. The Peter/Olivia pairing ruined the show, so I'll live if/when it gets canceled.

Posted by: Todd at November 22, 2010 12:26 PM

Gd it.....

Posted by: Luke at November 22, 2010 12:29 PM

Fucking hell. I like Fringe. If it gets canceled then I hope American Idol goes down with it.

Actually, I hope that American Idol dies a horrible death anyway.

Posted by: stardust at November 22, 2010 1:02 PM

That show looks great. It reminds me of my friends.

Which has to be what they were going for.

Posted by: superasente at November 22, 2010 1:41 PM

I love Fringe! Have you guys been watching? It's awesome. It's so awesome I want its babies in all universes. Eh, you have American Idol, we have X-Factor. I think we're worse off.

Posted by: Joker at November 22, 2010 2:13 PM

Fringe is such a good show. I really hope the Fox execs can pull their heads out of each others asses and realize this.

Posted by: emcoffey3 at November 22, 2010 2:14 PM

Kballs, can I watch the first episode just to see how much of an absolute train wreck it is and then swear to never watch it again? If so then I, Bionic Woman, swear.

Posted by: bionic woman at November 22, 2010 2:39 PM

"Fringe is such a good show. I really hope the Fox execs can pull their heads out of each others asses and realize this."

Posted by: emcoffey3

I think you might be interested in this item I found out there on the internets:

"Mumphfrinchmaaammumphaooool."

Fox Network Programming Execupede, Third Segment

Food for thought.

Posted by: Groundloop at November 22, 2010 5:02 PM

Oh sio great, they're putting Fringe up against 'Supernatural'. Guess I'll be DVRing Fringe again.

Posted by: Shazza at November 22, 2010 7:11 PM

I knew Fringe was doomed.

Posted by: John W at November 22, 2010 7:15 PM

Every time I hear "Friday night" in regards to programming on Fox I feel compelled to have a moment of silence for Harsh Realm...

Posted by: just me at November 22, 2010 7:38 PM

The cop is the secretary from Andy Barker PI, right? Is there any way she can be a regular or at least recurring with that part?

Posted by: Three-nineteen at November 22, 2010 9:07 PM

Oh, Fringe. I will miss you when you're gone, because you are so magnificent.

Your fascinatingly creepy sci-fi plots shot full of logical holes, your supergruesome makeup effects, and your brilliant, heartwarming, awesome characters...they are so doomed. Dangit.

Posted by: Salieri2 at November 22, 2010 10:47 PM

And the X-Files meta-similarities just keep on coming.

Last season it was the filming location move to Vancouver. This season the shows slot is moved to Friday night, where the X-Files started and lived for a number of years.

Posted by: NF at November 22, 2010 10:48 PM

I watched yesterday for the first time an episode of this show, sorry but it can't hold a candle to x-files. The characters are boring, the story not frightening like on the X-files and the attempt at an open ending was bad too.

Posted by: Cadacsdega at November 23, 2010 8:10 AM

Cadacsdega, I couldn't disagree with you more. It took me a while to get into Fringe, but the characters are far more warm and relatable than any X-Files character ever was, and the stories are fascinating. Instead of endless episodes about vaguely paranormal events that may or may not have a scientific explanation, Fringe has a steady stream of Strange Shit that actually gets an explanation, even if it's insane. You've got parallel universes, face melting toxins, skin-growing toxins, people's heads exploding a couple times a season, people getting encased in amber, people moving through solid walls to steal from bank vaults, questionable experiments on children, man-made monsters, telepathy, weird bald guys who act like robots and never age...shit, if you can't find that interesting, then there's no hope for you.

Anyway, I think some of you are mistaken in assuming Fringe's demise already. If it takes a dive in the ratings, it might get moved back. Shut up, it might. It's the only show on TV I get excited about, don't take that away from me.

Posted by: DeadBessie at November 23, 2010 8:45 AM

Posted by: Cadacsdega at November 23, 2010 8:10 AM

I don't think many people here would compare Fringe to X-Files at its best. Although Walter would have been a great addition to X-Files the rest of the Fringe cast is mediocre at best, and the stand alones aren't nearly as creepy, but the ongoing plot is less obtuse and frustrating than the X-Files mythology. There is something to be said for that.

Posted by: ed newman at November 23, 2010 8:59 AM

You know, I recently watched "My own worst enemy" and it gave me a fresh perspective on Christian Slater. I really enjoyed that show (and the supporting cast was pretty good too). Pity it ended so quickly.

So while I'm not a huge fan of the gent, I may at least check out the new show featuring him, just for curiosity's sake.

Posted by: Wintermute at November 25, 2010 11:33 AM