“Fringe” mixes elements of “The X-Files” and Paddy Chayefsky’s “Altered States” with what Abrams calls “a slight ‘Twilight Zone’ vibe.” It will focus on brilliant but possibly crazy research scientist Walter Bishop, his estranged son and a female FBI agent who brings them together.

Episodes will explore self-contained mysteries of the paranormal, as well as the relationships between the three leads.

“So much of the story is relatable people in extraordinary situations,” Abrams said. “The show is definitely a nod to ‘Altered States’ and ‘Scanners’ and that whole Michael Crichton/Robin Cook world of medicine and science.”

See the previews over at Brightcove. They do have an “X-Files” vibe, but I think that’ll be acceptable if it is quality.

Does the preview do anything to pique your interest?

ShareThis

Lauren Lee Smith is joining “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation” as a regular.

Smith will play Bryce Adams, a smart, flirtatious and witty nonconformist who is hired as a CSI on the night-shift team led by Grissom (William Petersen).

Canadian-born Smith, who co-starred on CBS’ pilot “Can Openers” this past development season, is expected to fill the void left by the departure of “CSI” co-star Jorja Fox.
Lauren Lee Smith joins ‘CSI’

I like that they’re not in a hurry to replace cast members. They’ve waited awhile to replace Jorja Fox, and have said that they are in no hurry to replace Gary Dourdan.

TVGuide’s Michael Ausiello had this to say:

Smith is expected to play the character of Bryce Adams, a “flirtatious, witty and strong-willed non-conformist” that is recruited to join the graveyard shift — also known as the role that Katee Sackhoff inexplicably got passed over for.

I would have liked to have seen Sackhoff on the show, I think she would have fit perfectly. I can’t understand why they wouldn’t want to bring Katee on. She would have brought at least a noticeable following from BSG.

What do you think of this casting?

ShareThis

The Hollywood Reporter confirms:

“Reaper” will return for 13 episodes midseason and will likely be paired with “Supernatural” on Thursday nights after “Smallville” concludes its run.

The announcement came the day before the CW’s upfront presentation, and although the ratings nearly killed this show, Reaper has devoted fans and network executives that are “uniformly fond” of the show to thank for a second season, and not a deal with the devil.

ShareThis

Fox is hoping to change the face of TV Commercials with their new “Remote Free TV” model. And what better chance to try this model than with two of your most anticipated new shows?

Hollywood Reporter says:

“It’s a simple concept and potentially revolutionary,” Fox Entertainment Chairman Peter Liguori said. “We’re going to have less commercials, less promotional time, and less reason for viewers to use the remote. We’re going to redefine the viewing experience.”Both “Fringe” and “Dollhouse” would have network commercial loads of about five minutes per hour, about half the usual. The commercial pods would also be shorter and they would have about half the promo load as well.

This is genius marketing. Not only do they promise to experiment with significantly less commercials, but they know you will want to try out this new format, so they do it during shows they want you to see!

I have to admit that with the onset of the PVR or just picking up shows in DVD box sets a little too late for the watercooler trend, I find myself making drastic efforts NOT to watch commercials. I can watch 2 one hour tv shows in about an hour and 15 minutes when viewed on my PVR. That is sad.

It seems more and more commercials are being added to tv shows and distracting me from my show. So much so, that programs typically have a 10 second overlap of events to remind you where they left off! Suspensful moment and cut to black to witness the latest effort to make you shop at Toys R Us! Then you come back and inevitably experience that “Oh yeah” moment as you recall where we last left our intrepid heroes.

This could dramatically effect the way TV is watched. I would likely not make such efforts to avoid commercials if there were only one or two breaks in a one hour program.

How about you? Would you sooner have the studios charge more for their airtime to reduce the commercials you are forced to witness?

ShareThis

Here are some details, courtesy of TV Guide:

Filmed partially on location in South Africa, the “prequel” finds Jack Bauer battling an international crisis, while back home, the United States prepares to inaugurate a new president.

Executive producer Howard Gordon says:

“We’re excited about the prequel because it explores Jack’s complex emotional state of mind and still has all the signature excitement and suspense that fans have come to expect from 24″

It’s been about a year since the last episode of 24, and it’ll be another six months until the movie. What’s your prediction? Think the prequel will be worth the wait?  Or has 24 lost its momentum?

ShareThis

DOLLHOUSE (Mondays, 8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT): Joss Whedon, creator of groundbreaking cult favorites “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” and “Firefly,” returns to television and reunites with fellow “Buffy” alumna Eliza Dushku for a thrilling new drama, DOLLHOUSE. ECHO (Dushku) is an “Active,” a member of a highly illegal and underground group who have had their personalities wiped clean so they can be imprinted with any number of new personas. Confined to a secret facility known as the “Dollhouse,” Echo and the other Actives including SIERRA (Dichen Lachman, “Neighbours”) and VICTOR (Enver Gjokaj, “The Unit”) carry out engagements assigned by ADELLE (Olivia Williams, “X-Men: The Last Stand,” “Rushmore”), one of the Dollhouse leaders.

The trailer company, Storm Studios, has it posted on their website pulled it from their website, but it is now on YouTube and IO9. The trailer and sneak peeks are available on Brightcove. Go watch it and come back and leave your thoughts.

ShareThis

1. People pay — a lot — to use the “dolls” (called Actives) employed by the Dollhouse.

2. The Dollhouse is very selective about its clientele and performs thorough background checks.

3. When on missions, Actives receive a “personality imprint” that provides them with regular memories as well as muscle memory.

4. These imprints mean that the Active isn’t pretending to be someone else — they are someone else. If imprinted to be a killer, they’ll kill; if imprinted to fall in love, they’ll fall deeply, truly in love.

5. On missions, Actives are monitored internally (and remotely) by Handlers. This ensures their safety while allowing for privacy between the Active and the client. Handlers only listen in on a mission when it involves criminal activity.

6. After the Active completes the mission, he or she feels an immediate need to return to the facility, where the Active will be wiped of his or her memories.

7. The Dollhouse serves as a kind of school/dormitory when Actives are not out on missions. They live, eat, sleep, shower, learn and train together there.
8. Most of the Dolls are young, and all beautiful.

9. Supposedly, the Dolls volunteered for the work in the Dollhouse — they give up five years of their lives, and at the end they receive a ridiculously large sum of money and no memory of anything they did for the Dollhouse.

10. Missions for the Actives are only supposed to last 10 hours, or else the imprint could be strained. However, lately certain missions have taken quite a bit longer, some lasting for days…

These 10 “facts” give me great comfort and build the anticipation even more. I’m glad that the Dollhouse [it appears] is explained up front. Joss could have followed the latest trend in dramas and leave everything as a mystery. This way character development can occur without “secrets” getting in the way.

Also, according to Dollverse, there’s a two minute sneak peek of “Dollhouse” due to be released shortly. It’s entitled “Who Are You?”.

“Dollhouse” will serve as a lead-in on Monday nights starting in January for “24.”

What do you think of these latest facts?

ShareThis

I can’t say that I’m upset to see Autoblog’s new report:

They couldn’t even get it together on a cast, so the news doesn’t come entirely as a surprise. The newly announced fall lineup doesn’t save a seat for “Gear,” though room is made in the lineup for that clunker of a retread that is Knight Rider.

While there’s no news if the plan is entirely scrapped, at least we’re saved from the overly commercial U.S. version for a little while longer, though new episodes of the original don’t seem to be coming soon on the horizon either.

ShareThis

Fox has another boring reality show for us, according to Zap2it!

Hmm…sounds interesting. Not!

It actually sounds like The Simple Life, except more decieving and dramatic. I give it six episodes!

ShareThis

Remember Donnie Wahlberg? The “new kid on the block.” Or is it now “the old guy down the street?” Well, Marky Mark’s older brother is going to be starring in a new TNT Drama. Reuters has the story.

I was watching The Sixth Sense the other day, and I was thinking “this guy has potential.” Too bad, the biggest acting gig he has gotten lately has been the Saw films. Maybe this show will be an outlet for him to show what he just might be able to do.

ShareThis