11:07AM: Before submitting himself to the firing squad that is a roomful of tired and cranky television critics, Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly announces plans for a new late night animated comedy block (Think: Adult Swim) that will air Saturdays at 11PM – 12:30AM starting in January 2013.

11:14AM: Despite going on record during the previous summer’s TCA Press Tour that the Network would be making a decision on the future (or lack thereof) of HOUSE sometime in the Fall, Reilly fesses up to failure to communicate. “To be honest with you, it’s hard to imagine the Network with HOUSE so we kind of agreed to mutually put off any decision until the first of the year and we still have yet to sit down and see where we are,” Reilly says, being sure to add for any anxious fans who may-or-may-not be reading this. “We haven’t had the big meeting yet, but we are not going to be unceremoniously handing out pink slips. If it’s the end of the run there is no way [Creator] David Shore is going to let the fans feel that it wasn’t capped off properly.”

11:17AM: Continuing this session’s somewhat alarming theme of a complete and utter lack of answers comes Reilly’s take on the future of TERRA NOVA. First the good news: Fox made money, the show looked fantastic and all evidence points to the show really resonated with the family audience. Bad News: Despite an immensely likeable cast and some fantastic ideas, Reilly did admit to the show “creatively hunting” throughout much of the first season. In short: Due to production needs, a decision will be made on the show’s future within the next month.

11:20AM: Reilly continues to be immensely happy with the performance of THE X FACTOR. Unfortunately for embattled host Steve Jones, he was slightly less than enthusiastic about his future job stability, only going to far as say, “It’s a much harder job than meets the eye, and whether Steve’s the guy or not, there will be some tweaks to the show.”

11:21AM: And speaking of hostesses with the mostess, Reilly claims “It’s very hard to imagine the show [AMERICAN IDOL] without Ryan Seacrest.”

11:22AM: Still reeling over the ambiguity of HOUSE’s future, well this news probably won’t be of much help. The time for a HOUSE spin-off has come and gone. “We talked about a spin-off over the past few seasons but David [Creator David Shore] just never creatively found something that excited him,” says Reilly, adding, “[Editor's Note: Unlike NBC!] We’re not in that desperate place where we need to try and keep that the show going and we definitely don’t want some watered down version of the show.”

11:23AM: Is there such a thing as too much reality TV? Short Answer: “No!” Long Answer: Although he expects ratings for AMERICAN IDOL to be slightly down this season due to the fact that it’s going on an 11 year show, audiences remain passionate. Reilly sights the recent fan reaction to SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE’s format change, “I think all of our competition shows will be here for quite some time.”

11:28AM: Bad news for all seven fans of ALLEN GREGORY, It’s over. “We had a great experience with [creator] Jonah Hill, we’re in business with him, but animation is particularly challenging,” admits Reilly, who goes on to call the future of BOB’s BURGERS very promising.

11:33AM: Duh of the Day: Fox is not in the business of losing money! Which could potentially spell doom for the future of FRINGE. For while Reilly loves the show, calling it “a point of pride” for him and applauding it for “vastly improving our Friday night,” it’s an expensive show. “The hesitation in my voice is that it’s an expensive show and we lose a lot of money,” says Reilly, who goes on to say that discussions with Producing partner Warner Bros Television have yet to really heat up. “Please don’t start the letter-writing campaign. I can’t take it.”

11:37AM: Remember last fall when the internet all but imploded on itself when word leaked out with regards to a GLEE spin-off? Well you can forget it, because according to Reilly, the GLEE kids aren’t going anywhere “There will not be a GLEE spinoff but those characters will graduate,” promises Reilly. “It has led to a very cool idea that Ryan [Murphy] and the guys [writing staff] have come up with for next season that will be set up in the Spring batch of episodes. I think it’s going to really give us something cool to dig into next season.”

11:38AM: Fan(s) of I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (Beuller? Beuller?) will be pleased to discover that Reilly plans on airing all six or seven remaining episodes. What’s more, he’s determined to get back in the business of multi-camera comedies pointing to CBS as evidence that audiences want to see them. “I know some of them are excruciatingly bad, but audiences clearly want to watch comedy again and I want to feed that.”

While Thanksgiving is an American holiday and perhaps not celebrated globally, this seemed like an opportune time to give a warm shout-out to 10 television shows for which I am thankful this year. 
 
One caveat, with the Year End 2011 Top 10 lists about to be unleashed from every corner of the TV blog-o-sphere which will trumpet and laud TV shows that are proclaimed to be the best-of-the-best, these are just a some of shows that consistently bring a smile to my face and make me glad that they created these glorious fictional worlds for us to enjoy.
 
DOCTOR WHO
While other children were perhaps raised on the likes of SESAME STREET, THE MUPPETS or some other childhood staple, in my family, we were raised amongst the wondrous world of DOCTOR WHO.  To this day, nothing makes me feel more nostalgic and thrilled to be a television viewer than watching an episode of DOCTOR WHO.  Even amidst the frequent transitions of lead actors and supporting characters, there is something truly engaging and addictive about a man simply known as The Doctor who pops up to invite everyday people to explore the universe with him.  The latest incarnation has introduced us to The 11th Doctor (magnificently portrayed by Matt Smith) and his companions Amy Pond, Rory and River Song (just as delightfully portrayed by Karen Gillan, Arthur Darvill and Alex Kingston).  This year toyed with our affections by daring to kill The Doctor and then invite us on a journey to solve the mystery of his death.  By the end of the season, the journey left us breathless and clamoring for more. 
 
MERLIN
Another British television series that managed to capture my heart is MERLIN.  The innocence and joy in which it tells the legendary tale of a young wizard and the boy-who-would-one-day-be-king just captivates.  The characters are brought to life by the talents of Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Anthony Head, Katie McGrath, Angel Coulby and Richard Wilson.  The ensemble shines with affection and revelry.  Even amongst the darker-side of the rift arising as each embraces their epic destinies cannot quite eclipse all the fun the actors are clearly having in their roles.  The series offers everything you hope for and more in the retelling of such a classic tale.  It offers adventure, danger, romance all blended together with fun humor.  It makes for an awesome concoction that dazzles with each episode.
 
HAVEN
The Stephen King-inspired supernatural series nearly defies categorizing.  It is not quite a sci-fi series and yet not a horror series either.  It is a careful construction of supernatural infused with just enough mystery to make sure that viewers are glued to their TV’s on Friday nights.  The stories are mind-boggling as each addresses afflictions that are sympathetic and yet very destructive.  Seeking to explore the mysteries of what brought upon the “troubles” in the sleepy town of Haven, the intrepid trio of heroes, Audrey Parker, Nathan Wuornos and Duke Crocker (wonderfully portrayed by Emily Rose, Lucas Bryant and Eric Balfour) track down each person to either help mitigate their affliction or stop their deadly rampage.  The addictiveness lies within the hearts of the characters, and the appealing chemistry of the actors who bring them to life.  The series also offers both a dash of star-crossed romance and warm camaraderie woven through this dark tale of destiny.  It makes the diehard fans count down every minute between episodes wondering what the next chapter will reveal.
 
HART OF DIXIE
A surprisingly addictive newcomer to the television landscape is a little known dramedy that is slowly amassing a loyal following on Monday nights.  Spearheaded by the charming Rachel Bilson, as the lead character Dr. Zoe Hart, the fish-out-of-water tale of a New York surgeon who inherits a country medical practice from the father she never knew, is capturing hearts both on and off screen.  On-screen, the many men of Zoe Hart are enthralling viewers and the battlelines are being drawn for Team Wade (Wilson Bethel) and Team George (Scott Porter) – as the two primary love interests are being sized up.  It never hurts to add another hunky guy into the mix, namely in the form of Lavon Hayes (Cress Williams), ex-football pro and town mayor and sometime confidante of Zoe.  The warmth, humor and charm of the stories and characters make it a must-see TV show and one that more fans shall soon be discovering.
 
THE VAMPIRE DIARIES
There is one thing THE VAMPIRE DIARIES does best and it is surprising viewers on a weekly basis.  The shocks and surprises never stop.  The show feeds on adrenaline and offers up a roller-coaster ride of jaw-dropping cliffhangers.  It also knows how to take its most villainous characters and make them redeemable – despite the fact that they kill without remorse and no desire to reform.  It relishes in the fact that its core characters are vampires and they are supposed to be bad and do shocking things.  But somehow we love them for it and ask for more.  Plus, it offers some of the most unabashedly romantic storylines amidst its high-octane and gorishly fiendish storylines.  What’s not to love? It’s got vampires, werewolves, witches and a healthy does of teen angst intertwined with sly humor – and it is very cleverly done. Kudos to the entire creative ensemble!
 
REVENGE
Speaking of guilty-pleasures, who has not raved about the other newcomer on the block, REVENGE?  Helmed by the luminous Emily Van Camp as the determinedly black-hearted villainous Emily Thorne seeking her revenge on those who destroyed her family, the show invites us to take the dastardly journey with her and love every minute of it.  Smart casting is the secret of this new show’s success.  As much as we want to hate the Graysons for their principal part in the evil deeds, it is hard to want to punish the likable characters with a softer-side, as deliciously portrayed by Madeline Stowe, Henry Czerny, Christa Allen, and Josh Bowman.  Then there are the Porter brothers, Jack and Declan who we feel for as they are caught in the cross-hairs.  Plus, as a longtime fan of the series ROSWELL, it is awesome to see Nick Wechsler in a leading man role.  So as hiatus approaches, it will be a long, cold winter break as we wait anxiously for our favorite dose of treachery to return.
 
ONCE UPON A TIME
Another series that completely stole our hearts and simultaneously makes them sing is the enchanting tale of Emma Swan, her long-lost son Henry and the magical world of Storybrooke, Maine.  It offers not just a plethora of heroes to root for, but even a few villains as well.  Like each of the shows listed above, casting is the secret ingredient.  Brought to life by the likes of Jennifer Morrison, Lana Parrilla, Ginnifer Goodwin, Josh Dallas and Robert Carlyle, we fell in love with the fairytales of our youth all over again.  But in this fantastic reimagining, we get two for the price of one:  we get all our favorite fairytale characters and their real-world counterparts (well, as real as you can get in television).  The heart of the story lies in the complex dichotomy between the fairytale character and the real-world version.  Without the mirrored relationship, the Evil Queen would just be evil; but with the real-world persona of Mayor Regina Mills, the adoptive mother of Henry, thrown into the mix, the story becomes murkier and more intriguing.  Likewise with the mirroring of Snow White and Mary-Margaret, and Prince Charming and John Doe.  The show comes to life as we sit enthralled by the rich tapestry of stories and character and the dual lives unfolding before our eyes.  It is magical and we are hooked!
 
BEING ERICA
The Canadian drama about a young woman who embarks on unorthodox therapy through the use of time-travel is a well-known hit north of the U.S. border.  For the few of us who discovered this gem hidden away on American television, BEING ERICA is a treasured find.  Starring the appealing Erin Karpluk, the series scintillates with warm-hearted lessons on how to embrace the life we want and how we are not bound by the choices of our past.  The misadventures and many loves of Erica Strange are a fun confection of humor and life lessons.  Aided by her wise mentor Dr. Tom (Michael Riley), the time-traveling adventures backdrop an earnest story of a young woman persuaded to pursue her dreams, not matter how impossible and unattainable they may seem.  The exuberance and joy for life with which the show tackles thorny and sensitive subjects makes the show compelling and heart-warming.  If we all were so lucky to have such a chance to relive our own lives again.  But in the meantime, we celebrate Erica’s chance to live the life she chooses, bending fate to her will.
 
FRINGE
The dark, somber series about fractured timelines and alternate universes is unbelievably complex and mind-bending.  It has also slowly seduced viewers over the past 3 seasons into believing that such things are possible.  After all, how can we possibly live in a world without such wondrous people as Walter Bishop and Olivia Dunham?  The talents of Anna Torv and John Noble have been nothing short of extraordinary as we watched them seamlessly slip into the dual personas of their characters: Walter and Walternate, Olivia and Fauxlivia.  The heart-wrenching agony of the decisions they are forced to make and future dilemmas they must confront as the one man they love could bring about the destruction of two universes.  Walter’s son and Olivia’s love Peter Bishop (deftly portrayed by Josh Jackson) is the one person who should never have existed.  Yet in the course of this 4th season, he has managed to slip through the cracks in time and reappeared.  Similarly, the entire show has slipped into our hearts and found a home there.  We love spending time with these characters and are just as heart-broken over the choices they are forced to make.  When a show begins to feel this real, is it a wonder that the line between television and reality blurs?
 
HELL ON WHEELS
Last, but not least, the tenth show television show I am thankful this year is a sneaky one.  With some brilliant casting, some devilish characters, and an age-old story with which we all can relate, HELL ON WHEELS challenges us to embrace the Wild West once again.   But with only a handful of episodes under its belt, it has drawn us into a world where we care excruciatingly what happens next.  Will Colin Bohannon (Anson Mount) get his revenge against those who murdered his wife?  Will Lily Bell (Dominique McElligott) find a new home amongst the uncouth men forging the future?  Will Doc Durant (Colm Meaney) get his railroad built in time to make his mark in history? Will Elam (Common) find the equality he so desires as laws change faster than the hearts of men?  It only sounds like a familiar story, but with such enticing characters fleshing out the stories, we cannot help but be riveted. We desperately care about each and every character and want to see that they get their heart’s desires. If only all television shows were so quick to capture our attention and our hearts!
 
Television is all about entertainment.  A TV show doesn’t have to be the best show on television to be highly entertaining.  Each year award and accolades are heaped upon shows for their superior craftsmanship, but rarely do we single out the shows that simply invite us into a world, for which we are thankful to be a part of.  These 10 shows created worlds that I am incredibly grateful for and felt privileged to watch this past year. From the TARDIS to Camelot and all the way to Storybrooke, all these worlds have been my home-away-from-home and I have loved every second of it!
 
(NOTE:  Special mention should be made for the following shows:  CASTLE, THE GOOD WIFE, FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS, JUSTIFIED, THE CLOSER, LUTHER, SHERLOCK, DOWNTON ABBEY, DROP DEAD DIVA, GRIMM, THE WALKING DEAD, HOUSE, RAISING HOPE, COVERT AFFAIRS, SUITS, TEEN WOLF and AWKWARD. – all which deserve to be recognize for their addictiveness this past year as well. They too graced our screens and gave us something to be thankful for!)

Tiffany Vogt is a contributing writer to The TV Addict. She has a great love for television and firmly believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored – she invites you to join her. Please feel free to contact Tiffany at Tiffany_Vogt_2000@yahoo.com or follow her at on Twitter (@TVWatchtower). Tiffany also writes as a columnist for NiceGirlsTV.

When it was first announced that FRINGE would be moving from Thursday nights to Friday nights, everyone was relieved. It was believed that if there was a night specially designed and protective of sci-fi shows, it was Fridays. After all that was the night that Fox’s THE X-FILES flourished for many years (before moving to Sundays) and it used to be the sci-fi “go to” night for Syfy channel as well, back in the hey-days of STARGATE: SG-1, STARGATE: ATLANTIS, EUREKA and BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.

But, in the past few years, an interesting trend developed. Fridays were no longer deemed “sci-fi” Fridays. It was not the sanctuary and safe haven for sci-fi shows. (All puns intended since Syfy still airs both SANCTUARY and HAVEN on Friday nights.) So with the abandonment of Syfy, which took its hardcore sci-fi shows to Monday and Tuesday nights (in order to secure more lucrative advertising and which ultimately killed off such sci-fi staples like STARGATE: UNIVERSE and CAPRICA), very few other broadcast networks wanted to venture into the forbidden territory of Friday nights – known for the past couple of decades as the Death Slot. It has been few and far between that TV shows could succeed on Friday nights. CBS’ GHOST WHISPERER managed to eek out a few years, and BLUE BLOODS also seems to be flourishing on Fridays – but both those series had big-name stars drawing the crowds. Plus, neither show is arguably considered sci-fi.

So with the relinquishment of Syfy as it abandoned its theme of “sci-fi Fridays,” other networks decided that Friday nights were a good night to park TV shows that needed a timeslot and significantly less competition in order to survive. Fox seized the day when it saw how badly its prized sci-fi show was faring Thursday nights and moved FRINGE to Fridays. It was a smart gamble and for the most part it paid off. It got FRINGE out of the position of having to compete against the likes of GREY’S ANATOMY, CSI, or successful newcomer PERSON OF INTEREST.

But even with FRINGE airing its most creatively strong season last year, Fridays were not exactly kind. FRINGE went from an average of 6 million live-viewers on Thursdays to an average of 3 million on Fridays. It essentially lost one-half of its live-viewing audience. Fox and the producers of FRINGE are quick to point out that it is the highest DVR’d show on TV with a 64% increase in viewership once DVR-viewers are added into the mix. But, as any savvy TV viewer/fan knows, DVR-viewing pays only a fraction of the advertising-dollars needed compared to the advertising-dollars obtained from a live-viewing audience. Whether Fox will stick with FRINGE beyond this current season when it is pulling in such little (if any) advertising revenue is questionable. Especially when FRINGE is pulling in lower ratings than its lead-in KITCHEN NIGHTMARES, which pulls in an average 4 million viewers and, because it is a reality TV show, costs significantly less to produce.

The curse of modern television is that reality TV shows frequently pull in higher numbers of viewers and can be made cheaply, which makes it an ideal television product when looking to maximize profitability for network shareholders. It’s simple math: reality TV brings in more profits. That’s why so many networks are keeping a healthy balance of reality TV shows on their schedule – it guarantees them money that scripted TV shows cannot deliver.

Returning to FRINGE and its challenge with viewer-retention, what specifically is the problem with FRINGE fans and other TV viewers? Why are they abandoning what is known to be one of the finest sci-fi shows on television?

Part of the answer lies within the question itself: it’s Friday. For a variety of reasons, fans and television viewers are not watching television on Fridays. From everything like “it’s date night” to “it’s family night” are preventing viewers from turning on the television. People are going to dinner, going to the movies, meeting up with friends, catching up with their kids – or some are just numb from the long work week and do not want to have to focus on anything. So that is part of it.

However, before quickly pointing out the fact that shows like GRIMM and BLUE BLOODS are able to capture a healthy number of viewers even on a Friday night, let me cite another reason viewers are not tuning in to watch FRINGE: it’s too complicated. Viewers that are intrigued by scientific phenomena and the mystery behind it are tuning in. But casual viewers are thinking the same thing: it’s too dark and too complicated. They are looking for something more lightweight and fun on Friday nights. FRINGE is innately the wrong type of show for a Friday night. It requires too much thought and concentration and the average viewer is simply not looking for a show that requires them to strain-the-brain. They want a “popcorn” show – which is why procedurals have succeeded in recent years and it was the secret to THE X-FILES success.

Whereas FRINGE embraced its heavy mythology and has become a magnificent show because of it, it also has made it harder for viewers to figure out what was going on from week-to-week without a cheatsheet of who all the characters are and how they figure into the increasingly complex intertwined storylines. Unveiling and reveling in the alt-verse has been spine-tinglingly awesome for the diehard fans – but it is confusing to the casual viewer. The procedural element is also exceedingly scientifically-complex and difficult to wrap one’s brain around. All these things are like discovering gold for a hard-core sci-fi fan; but the average viewer is not looking for a lesson from the latest issue of the Scientific American.

Most television viewers are looking for the human-element – a reason to care about the characters and an easy to follow story that allows the characters to resolve a mystery. FRINGE has introduced some of the most fascinating characters on television – Walter, Peter and Olivia, as well as their counter-parts Walternate, Fauxlivia, and their respective investigative teams made up of Astrid, Charlie, Lincoln Lee, Agent Broyles, and Nina Sharp. FRINGE has also lovingly crafted the intertwined destinies of each character and made us care a great deal about them. But only if you were paying attention. Someone just turning on the TV or tuning in for a handful of episodes would not see the careful construction and loving detail to each character and all the reasons that faithful fans have fallen in love with them.

FRINGE is a great example of a show that took its time to slowly unveil its secrets and ensnare us in a story so complex that it took two universes and two timelines to tell it. But that kind of time is not something television viewers are willing to invest anymore. They are not looking to “commit” to a TV show. The idea of being married to a television series and having to know every little detail about it is abhorrent to most viewers – especially when they can turn the channel and watch something as easy to jump into as GRIMM.

When FRINGE first debuted, it was considered a lighter-version of THE X-FILES. Interestingly, today, it is probably deemed a darker-version of it. Alas, the farther FRINGE moved from its easy to follow stand-alone episodes and took us “down the rabbit hole” into a world of extraordinary adventures and mysteries, the more casual viewers began looking elsewhere for something to watch.

Thus, FRINGE is falling victim to its own critical-success. The better it has gotten, the more problems it has had with viewer-retention. A higher quality story with better characters is only ensuring that viewers are fleeing from it because it is too good. Like reading Tolstoy or Dickens, television viewers are loath to commit the time and concentration to follow anything that in-depth and complex.

So, in the end, FRINGE is being killed off by the wicked combination of Friday night “death slot” problems and viewer laziness. It’s criminal that it is happening, but even BATTLESTAR GALATICA – one of the most decorated sci-fi shows in modern television history – could not solve the conundrum of viewer-retention.

FRINGE is dying because viewers are just not willing to commit to a complex sci-fi show anymore. Sad, but true.

New episodes of FRINGE air Fridays at 9PM on FOX (CityTV in Canada) and stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole and John Noble. Catch up with past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv

Tiffany Vogt is a contributing writer to The TV Addict. She has a great love for television and firmly believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored – she invites you to join her. Please feel free to contact Tiffany at Tiffany_Vogt_2000@yahoo.com or follow her at on Twitter (@TVWatchtower). Tiffany also writes as a columnist for NiceGirlsTV.

 
In addition, as the third season unraveled, the inadvertent love-triangle between Olivia-Peter-Fauxlivia became entangled with yet another romantic interest.  Lincoln’s feelings for Fauxlivia began surfacing in small ways to such a degree that he was literally the one holding her in his arms when she delivered her baby.  It may have been another man’s child, but Lincoln was there; and the chemistry and feelings were undeniable to any viewer paying attention. (See: “A Twist of FRINGE: Amidst Tragedy a Love Story Blooms”)
 
But what was not known was that it was possible that FBI Agent Lincoln Lee in our universe would have a similar soft-spot for Olivia.  It was eye-opening and spine-tingling to see Lincoln resurface in last week’s episode “Neither Here Nor There,” aiding in the investigation of a killer searching for unique minerals in his victim’s blood — which may have been an attempt to create living human shape-shifters.  Lincoln may be only a lowly FBI agent in our verse and not privy to all the secrets of Fringe Division, but in Peter’s absence (due to being erased throughout time by the Observers), Lincoln stepped up to fill a noticeable void.  He was not only helpful in the investigation to track down the new breed of shape-shifters, but he also began to fit seamlessly into the Fringe Division world.  He is an agent that instinctually understands that there is more going on in the world than he can imagine and it does not bother him one bit – rather, it intrigues him and he is irresistibly drawn to it.  Similarly, he is perhaps drawn to Olivia.  Olivia is not exactly a “fringe” mystery per se, but she is a pivotal piece in the collision of two universes.  Her body chemistry makes her one of the few people who can safely cross between the universes without causing further catastrophic damage. 
 
In a fascinating example of “mirroring,” a new pattern has begun to emerge.  Lincoln in both universes is inexplicably drawn to Olivia.  He cannot help but to seek her out and be around her at any cost.  Being Fauxlivia’s division teammate and superior in the alt-verse makes their association and frequent contact seem normal.  But it was not until Lincoln’s path crossed with Olivia in our verse that it became more apparent that more was at work than just coincidence.  It is possible for Olivia and Lincoln’s professional lives to become intertwined through the “fringe” cases they investigate, but as the episode showed, it went beyond mere work concerns.  Lincoln’s own body language revealed an attraction and interest in Olivia that perhaps he is not even yet aware.  When he heard shots ring out in the train yard, he did not seek cover, he instead got atop the train car to see if Olivia was safe.  It was only once he saw her standing in the window that he breathed a sigh of relief and returned to attend to Agent Broyles, who had been shot.
 
Perhaps at the core of his soul, Lincoln feels the need to be around Olivia.  Just like in the alt-verse, it does not matter what obstacles are in the way (injuries, boyfriends, work regulations or even separation by time and space), Lincoln cannot help but be drawn to wherever Olivia is.  Like a chemical reaction or like magnets seeking each other, Lincoln seeks her out. 
 
Making it even more interesting is Olivia’s reaction to Lincoln.  Now living in a universe where the memory of Peter has been erased, there is no barrier to her heart.  Olivia is open to the possibilities of allowing someone into her life.  It was not just a professional courtesy that prompted Olivia to allow Lincoln into the Fringe Division Lab and to be a part of the investigation, she shared with him the secrets of what they are really doing — and showed him where the two universes have merged and even took him to meet her counter-part Fauxlivia.  When Olivia first encountered Lincoln in our verse, she resisted every effort he made to become a part of that secret world.  Yet this time, without Peter as a deterrent, Olivia was much more welcoming and amenable to inviting Lincoln into her worlds.
 
Better yet, we were charmed by the idea.  What should have felt so wrong and like there was an intruder in their midst, felt more natural than ever before.  The question is why?  Why this man?  What is it about Lincoln Lee that makes him the perfect “mirror” in Olivia and Fauxlivia’s professional and personal lives?  Are they linked through time and space?  Are they more destined to be together than Peter and Olivia?
 
Whatever the mystery and answer is, we can only say one thing for certain, we can’t wait to find out!  Like the eradication within the Fringe-verses, we are now starting to wonder: Peter, who?  No, in our ‘verse, it has become all about Lincoln Lee — the man stealing hearts in every imaginable FRINGE verse.  But before anyone calls Lincoln a “thief of hearts,” I assure you, I gave mine willingly. 

New episodes of FRINGE air Fridays at 9PM on FOX (CityTV in Canada) and stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole and John Noble. Catch up with past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv

Tiffany Vogt is a contributing writer to The TV Addict. She has a great love for television and firmly believes that entertainment is a world of wondrous adventures that deserves to be shared and explored – she invites you to join her. Please feel free to contact Tiffany at Tiffany_Vogt_2000@yahoo.com or follow her at on Twitter (@TVWatchtower). Tiffany also writes as a columnist for NiceGirlsTV.

In an effort to help tide you over as we countdown to tonight’s much-anticipated fourth season premiere of FRINGE, we thought now might be as good a time as any to share a recent conversation theTVaddict.com had with star John Noble, who was only too happy to offer up his take on the subjects of Peter Bishop’s whereabouts, worlds colliding and whether or not Walter and Waternate will ever be able to put aside their differences and be friends. See for yourself, after the jump.

New episodes of FRINGE return to FOX at 9PM this Friday September 23rd at 9pm (CityTV in Canada) and stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole and John Noble. Catch up with past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv

Continuing our penchant for highlighting press releases that cut through the clutter comes this doozy of a letter from a very alive and well Peter Bishop that accompanied the first two episodes of FRINGE. See for yourself, after the jump.

Dear Esteemed Members of the Press:
 
In the words of Mark Twain, one of my favorite novelists, “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”  
 
Where I am exactly, I can’t precisely say… and by that, I don’t mean I WON’T say, it’s just that I can’t seem to see or hear anything. 
 
However, the writers and producers swear to me that I will be making my way back to Boston soon enough, and thus far they have done nothing to make me distrust them.
 
They [Referring to the first two episodes of FRINGE, Season Four, entitled, “Neither Here Nor There,” airing Friday, Sept. 23 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and “One Night in October,” airing  Friday, Sept. 30 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT)] both contain the usual mystery, suspense, science and general nuttiness… although selfishly I wish they both contained a bit more of, well… me.
 
I hope you enjoy them.
 
Humbly,
 

Peter Bishop

Good News: With FRINGE’s fourth season just around the corner Fox has kindly released an entire slew of promotional photos in anticipation of its much-anticipated September 23 premiere. Bad News: We here at theTVaddict.com can not in any way be responsible for the strain your eyes may-or-may-not suffer from as you feverishly spend the next 2-4 hours collecting the clues. But hey, don’t take our word for it, see the giant dome, interesting cloud formations and manipulated shadows for yourself, after the jump.

New episodes of FRINGE return to FOX at 9PM this Friday September 23rd at 9pm (CityTV in Canada) and stars Anna Torv, Joshua Jackson, Lance Reddick, Blair Brown, Jasika Nicole and John Noble. Catch up with past episodes you may have missed for free online at clicktowatch.tv

As somewhat of a socially-awkward nerdy-type myself, I would love to know about the future of Penny and Raj on THE BIG BANG THEORY. Statistically speaking, what would you say their chances of working out are? — Kevin
The TV Addict: Okay, here’s the thing. The first thing you should know about the TV Addict, is that if we had even the slightest smidgen of talent in the department of mathematics, we would not be sitting at our desk this morning writing about television. Secondly, Raj and Penny’s future romantic prospects during the upcoming fifth season of THE BIG BANG THEORY is what we would call a classic good news/bad news situation. On the bad news front: All evidence is pointing to Penny and Raj not living happily ever after. But, before you bury your head in World of Warcraft for the three days, we’ve got — you guessed it — some good news for you. The friendship forged courtesy of their unexpected night of passion during May’s season finale looks to be leading towards Penny introducing Raj to his ideal match. Which is to say, fans should brace themselves for the arrival a beautiful love interest for Raj who, in a twist befitting the brilliance of the BIG BANG THEORY, won’t require the not-so-talkative Raj to strike up a verbal conversation because…. drumroll please… she’s deaf!

We’ve heard an awful lot about how the unexpected pregnancy will affect Brennan on the upcoming seventh season of BONES, but not so much about Booth. Care to rectify that situation? — Rachel
The TV Addict: While it probably won’t come as much of a surprise that Booth’s horrible history with his own alcoholic and abusive father will be front of mind now that he’s in the midst of having a baby with Brennan, what sure might come as somewhat of one is that Producers are in the process of casting Booth’s father and a 7-year old version of Booth for a very emotional flashback in episode 4 which sources have characterized as “the perfect father and son moment.”

I’m slightly concerned about Fiona’s lack of date for DEGRASSI’s upcoming prom. Any clues as to who she might be going with? — Allie
While we cannot confirm or deny that Fiona and Charlie will be getting back together by the time DEGRASSI’s prom rolls around, we can share with you an exclusive photo (pictured below) we snapped from Fiona’s ultra-trendy loft during our recent visit to the set of Canada’s most popular export. Read into that what you will!

Any chance you could clarify as to just how many episodes Joshua Jackson’s Peter Bishop will be M.I.A. for during this much-anticipated fourth season of FRINGE? — Maddy
The TV Addict: The chance of us clarifying virtually anything to do with the increasingly complex and wonderful world that is FRINGE is about as likely as us tuning into any show involving a Kardashian. That said, your question just so happens to be one that we’ve been curious about as well, which is why, during the Fox Party at the recent Television Critics Association Press Tour in Los Angeles we posed it to Peter Bishop himself. “We are not a star driven show, we are a character one,” said Josh Jackson when asked if he’s expecting to be in more or less episodes of FRINGE this season in comparison to last. “I know for a fact that they want be to be apart of FRINGE, but I also know that they want to tell the story in the best possible way. And that’s why I think it’s so ballsy to take one of the three leads of a series and show what it’s like when he’s not there. May’s cliffhanger was so big that if they half-assed it in the beginning of the season, I think our audience — who has been so good — would kind of smell the suck and be disappointed that we gave them this big thing and we didn’t actually go for it. We’re going for it and I think that’s super cool”

Any idea what DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES has up its sleeve for what has now become its eighth and final season? — Jennifer
The TV Addict: Even folks who weren’t the best math students in the world know that when it comes to spoilers, what we already knew + new information = wild speculation! So join us now as we use this time-tested formula to piece together a new mystery that’s unfolding on DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES! What we already knew: is that when we last left the wives of Wisteria Lane they had made a pact to take the death of Gaby’s abusive stepfather Alejandro to their graves. New information: According to sources, the Fairview town council is planning to rezone a nearby forest for development. Wild speculation: Something tells us that the body that was last seen in Carlos and Gabby Solis’ living room might be resurfacing soon. Agree, disagree, post away.

Please tell me we’ve seen the last of Jennifer Morrison’s Zoey on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER? — Bill
The TV Addict: As much as we’d like to tell you that we’ve seen the last of the latest Mother Maguffin on HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER… we can’t. Why? Because her portrayer, Jennifer Morrison wouldn’t close the door on it. “Honestly, to tell you the truth I don’t have a contract there, but I wouldn’t say that it’s for sure,” admitted Morrison during the recent Television Critics Press Tour. “The way that show goes back and forth with all the flashbacks, I feel like they always kind of leave the door open for those kind of things and I loved being there and have a great relationship with everyone over there.”

With the season premiere still weeks away, I’d greatly appreciate some VAMPIRE DIARIES scoop for me to sink my teeth into. — Amy
The TV Addict: Lucky for you, with the season premiere of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES just around the corner, you’re not the only one who can’t contain their excitement over the show’s return. Cue… the Network just released this very-revealing episode description of “The Birthday,” On the morning of Elena’s (Nina Dobrev) 18th birthday, Caroline (Candice Accola) is busy planning a party, but Elena is focused on searching for any clues that might help her discover where Stefan (Paul Wesley) is. Damon (Ian Somerhalder) is also searching for Stefan, while trying to protect Elena and keep her from doing anything that would draw Klaus’ (Joseph Morgan) attention. Meanwhile, Klaus and Stefan are busy trailing a werewolf named Ray Sutton (guest star David Gallagher, “Super 8”). Now working at the Mystic Grill along with Matt (Zach Roerig), Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) is struggling to understand why he keeps seeing the ghosts of Vicki (guest star Kayla Ewell) and Anna (guest star Malese Jow) since he was brought back to life by Bonnie’s (Kat Graham) magic. Meanwhile, Alaric (Matt Davis) does his best to watch over Elena and Jeremy, while dealing with his grief over Jenna’s death. Finally, Caroline and Tyler (Michael Trevino) face a new and unexpected challenge.

Since the moment the credits rolled on FRINGE’s phenomenal third season finale one question has been on every fan’s mind. That question — no, not how on earth the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences continues to fail to recognize John Noble with a much deserved Emmy nod — but rather where is Peter Bishop?

“Because we finished off with the season so powerfully what you’ll see now is thread in through a mini arc of four episodes,” explained John Noble during a one-on-one with the the TV Addict in Los Angeles. “We thread in the feeling, the presence of and finally the manifestation of Peter.”

And while it probably won’t come as much of a surprise that Peter does in fact return, (Joked Noble, “Josh [Jackson] is our leading man of course he does [return!]“) what sure as heck will is that Peter’s reappearance may not mark the return of the Peter fans (Not to mention the two Olivias!) have come to know and love over the course of the past three seasons.

“What we do is find a way to bring Peter back in…. but not in the way he was before,” revealed Noble. “It’s grand for Josh because it gives him a chance to finally do another version of himself, which he hasn’t had before. So it’s a great pay off for Josh and it means that we get to rebuild somehow in a different way.”

But just how different will be Peter Bishop 2.0 (Peternate?) be? Noble, not surprisingly, was playing coy. To the point that the only thing he would tease is that the start of FRINGE’s fourth season will be eerily familiar to fans of the show who has stuck with it since day one.

“That wonderful humanizing element that we’ve had in FRINGE of Walter and Peter getting to know and love each other again and build up their relationship… we start the season without that,” said Noble. “”[When the season starts] Walter is still in the lab but he’s quite insane, agoraphobic, obsessive compulsive and under the guardianship of Olivia and Astrid. He’s just locked in and won’t go out of the lab, so that’s an interesting restart from my point of view.”

FRINGE returns with new episodes on Friday September 23rd at 9PM on FOX. Catch up on past episodes you may have missed for free at clicktowatch.tv