July
23
Comic-Con Fringe First Look: Mystery and Mixed Reactions
Images from the "Fringe" website. What do they mean? After seeing the pilot, we still don't know, either.
Variety is now at Comic-Con and will be through Sunday, with tales from the front appearing on Thompson on Hollywood. First up is Liz Shannon Miller, reporting on reaction to the pilot for the new Fox drama "Fringe."
The gross-out teaser for the "Fringe" pilot got a vocal reaction from fans at Wednesday night's screening, setting the bar high for future installments of the JJ Abrams-produced series.
Event had low turnout; Wednesday night is traditionally sparsely attended, with most Comic-Conners choosing to spend their time on the floor. However, those in attendance were a rapt audience, with Joshua Jackson's delivery of some wittier lines drawing big laughs from the drama's rare moments of comic relief.
Despite a hearty round of applause at the conclusion, reaction was mixed. Some attendees praised the series' mystery qualities, but also found it a little slow and long (probably not an issue for the pilot that airs; the version that screened tonight ran over an hour). One audience member Mark Davis compared it to "The X-Files;" another said she enjoyed the show's puzzle-like elements.
In keeping with those elements, cards promoting a "Fringe" ARG were distributed throughout the evening, with a map of the area surrounding the San Diego Convention Center on one side and a message for those attending the "Fringe" panel on Saturday to be sure that they "do not leaf [sic] the convention center without getting your clues." Those who are not able to be there are advised to check out Explore the Impossiblities, a site that doesn't seem to feature much content -- yet. Like "Fringe" itself, the site hints at infinite possibilities lurking beneath the surface. -- Liz Shannon Miller
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Can't help noticing that this supposed report on Fringe is almost entirely devoid of actual information. To the point of being weird. Why did she even have to be there?
Posted by: David C. | July 24, 2008 at 07:25 AM
I'll tune in. I love the idea of a new show like X-files that looks a these kinds of mysteries. Hopefully its "mythology" won't be as complex/dense.
Posted by: Perry Lane | July 24, 2008 at 08:34 AM