Couples That Aren't Together...Yet

All of us have friends, or at least acquaintances, who we think would be perfect together. If we could only use forceful matchmaking skills, and make them date, all would be good in the world. Well, forcing friends together is a tad...difficult. TV characters, on the other hand, get forced together all the time. Here are a few current TV characters who should be dating, will probably date in the future, but haven't been forced together yet by the shows' writers. 

'Fringe', FOX, and new episodes

Oh Joshua Jackson, how I miss you. No, seriously.

Because of rain and game cancellations, the World Series further disrupted FOX's television schedule. Based upon the original schedule we would only have skipped new episodes of 'Fringe' for one week. Indeed, FOX essentially promised viewers that 'Fringe' (and star Joshua Jackson, who has been MIA for the first five episodes of the new season) would be back yesterday. But despite the promotional trailers, it wasn't to be. Game seven interfered and we'll have to wait yet another week for new episodes of 'Fringe'. Hopefully this won't hurt the show too much. Airing on Fridays is already a potential travesty, second only to airing on Sunday nights.

While I understand that people love baseball (and other sports) and that airing something like the World Series temporarily boosts viewers, I think that FOX made a mistake. Not just with its decision to bump 'Fringe' again, but because the World Series came only three episodes into the new television season, and put on hold breakout hits like 'New Girl'. Who knows if FOX will retain those viewers next week when baseball is over and new episodes return. Maybe viewers will have moved onto greener pastures...networks where new episodes have continued to air each week.

Here's a little something to give you your Joshua Jackson fix as you wait yet another week for his return:

Pacey-Con with Joshua Jackson from Joshua Jackson

You Should Be Watching 'Fringe'

I'm not sure how it happened, but I'd never seen an episode of 'Fringe' before last week. Believe it or not, I've now managed to catch-up to the current season. For those of you who want to judge me, that's 64 episodes in two weeks. I have to admit to fast-forwarding through a few of the slower moments, and even skipping one or two episodes that were annoying me. Despite all of that, 'Fringe' is my new favorite show.

If you haven't been watching, now is the time to start. The newest season of 'Fringe' (Season 4), which only began airing four weeks ago, is designed to allow new viewers to jump into the show without having seen prior episodes. Sure, it's better if you've seen them all (the show has a complexity that is best broken down by a comprehensive viewing of all of the episodes) but you can watch the 'Fringe-"Past + Present + Future"' summary video (see below) that was released by FOX and then leap right into the current fourth season. The first four episodes of this season are all currently available OnDemand.

'Fringe' focuses on the lives of an intelligent and complex FBI agent (Olivia), a brilliant mad scientist (Walter), and his quick-witted son (Peter) who investigate mysterious sci-fi crimes. Oliva is attractive, Peter is hot, and Walter is funny...what more could you ask for in a show?

'Fringe' is on FOX on Fridays at 9 pm

FRINGE- "Past + Present + Future"

'Fringe'

I've never watched 'Fringe'. Call it lack of time, or lack of interest, but I had plenty of other shows that ruled supreme. That being said, I'd watch it now.

'Fringe' is entering what is may well be its last season, and viewership is down. Way down. According to Entertainment Weekly the show has dropped 21% since January.

Now that a lot of my favorite "darker" shows are not available ('Bones' for one), while I realize that 'Fringe' would not be a true substitute, I'm willing to watch it to balance out all of those comedies.

But I can only watch it if I've seen the first three seasons, that much is clear from the complex plot. Unfortunately, there's no where to do that (legally) online.

If FOX wants to boost ratings for this season, and potentially save the show, they should release the first three seasons. Hulu would be an excellent way to do this, although FOX does already take advantage of TheWB.com as well (which currently has 12 episodes of 'Fringe' uploaded).

I understand that this move might hurt DVD sales, but ultimately, if FOX can increase their total number of viewers than in the long-term DVD sales should increase too.

A limited release of the first three seasons would be a way to increase viewership, and ultimately increase profit. They better do it soon, otherwise no one will have time to get close to catching up during the current season.

See Josh and Melissa Announcing The Emmy Nominations