Sci-fi fans who may be concerned about the state of the genre on network TV (we’re looking at you, V and FlashForward) have at least one reason to rejoice: EW has learned exclusively that Fox has picked up Fringe for a third season. Though the show isn’t exactly blowing the roof off of Nielsen — it’s been averaging just 7.6 million viewers and is ranked No. 50 in the all-important adults 18-49 demographic this season — it managed to survive in a tough new time period on Thursdays. The show returns with new episodes — and the promise of more visits from Leonard Nimoy and to the parallel universe — on April 1.
Mar 6
2010
01:34 PM ET
Exclusive: 'Fringe' picked up for a third season
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TV Finale Highlights
Five days at a glance*
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Tuesday, May 1
- The Biggest Loser NBC, 8-9PM
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Friday, May 4
- In Plain Sight USA, 10-11PM
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Sunday, May 6
- The Amazing Race CBS, 8-10PM
- GCB NBC, 10-11PM
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Monday, May 7
- Two Broke Girls CBS, 8-9PM
- Castle ABC, 10-11PM
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Tuesday, May 8
- Last Man Standing ABC, 8-8:30PM
- The Voice NBC, 8-10PM
- New Girl FOX, 9-9:31PM
- Unforgettable CBS, 10-11PM
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Wednesday, May 9
- CSI CBS, 10-11PM
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Thursday, May 10
- The Big Bang Theory CBS, 8-8:31PM
- The Vampire Diaries The CW, 8-9PM
- The Office NBC, 9-9:30PM
- The Secret Circle The CW, 9-10PM
- Parks and Recreation NBC, 9:30-10PM
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Friday, May 11
- The Finder FOX, 8-9PM
- Undercover Boss CBS, 8-9PM
- Fringe FOX, 9-10PM
- CSI: NY CBS, 9-10PM
- Blue Bloods CBS, 10-11PM
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Sunday, May 13
- Once Upon A Time ABC, 8-9PM
- Survivor: One World CBS, 8-10PM
- Desperate Housewives ABC, 9-11PM, SERIES FINALE
- American Dad FOX, 9:30-10PM
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Monday, May 14
- Bones FOX, 8-9PM
- How I Met Your Mother CBS, 8-9PM
- Gossip Girl The CW, 8-9PM
- Two and a Half Men CBS, 9-9:30PM
- Hart of Dixie The CW, 9-10PM
- Mike & Molly CBS, 9:30-10PM
- Hawaii Five-0 CBS, 10-11PM
- Smash NBC, 10-11PM
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Tuesday, May 15
- 90210 The CW, 8-9PM
- Cougar Town ABC, 8-9PM
- NCIS CBS, 8-9PM
- NCIS: Los Angeles CBS, 9-11PM
- Fashion Star NBC, 10-11PM
- Private Practice ABC, 10-11PM
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Wednesday, May 16
- Suburgatory ABC, 8:30-9PM
- Criminal Minds CBS, 9-11PM
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Thursday, May 17
- Missing ABC, 8-9PM
- Community NBC, 8-8:30PM, 9-10PM
- 30 Rock NBC, 8:30-9PM
- Rules of Engagement CBS, 8:30-9PM
- Awake NBC, 9-11PM
- Grey's Anatomy ABC, 9-10PM
- Person of Interest CBS, 9-10PM
- The Mentalist CBS, 10-11PM
- Scandal ABC, 10-11PM
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Friday, May 18
- Nikita The CW, 8-9PM
- Shark Tank ABC, 8-9PM
- Who Do You Think You Are NBC, 8-9PM
- Grimm NBC, 9-10PM
- Supernatural The CW, 9-10PM
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Saturday, May 19
- Saturday Night Live NBC, 11:29PM-1AM
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Sunday, May 20
- America's Funniest Home Videos ABC, 7-8PM
- The Cleveland Show FOX, 7:30-8PM
- Harry's Law NBC, 8-9PM
- The Simpsons FOX, 8-8:30PM
- Bob's Burgers FOX, 8:30-9PM
- Celebrity Apprentice NBC, 9-11PM
- Family Guy FOX, 9-10PM
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Monday, May 21
- Dancing With the Stars (Performance) ABC, 8-9PM
- House FOX, 8-10PM, SERIES FINALE
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Tuesday, May 22
- American Idol (Performance) FOX, 8-9PM
- Dancing With the Stars (Results) ABC, 9-11PM
- Glee FOX, 9-10PM
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Wednesday, May 23
- The Middle ABC, 8-8:30PM
- American Idol (Results) FOX, 8-10:07PM
- Modern Family ABC, 9-9:30PM
- Don't Trust the B— ABC, 9:30-10PM
- Revenge ABC, 10-11PM
- Law & Order: SVU NBC, 10-11PM
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Thursday, May 24
- Awake NBC, 10-11PM
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Tuesday, May 29
- Cougar Town ABC, 8-9PM
- The L.A. Complex The CW, 9-10PM
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Wednesday, May 30
- America's Next Top Model: British Invasion The CW, 9-10PM
*Times are Eastern Daylight and subject to change
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WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
Agree – This is a great move for a terrific show that I think is better than the X-files. If crap like Smallville can be renewed then FRINGE should defintely be renewed. Fox should make two other decisions:
1. Bring back Spike Ferenstein = Wanda Sykes is AWFUL
2. Hire Conan – think of it – they would be the ultimate late night duo who could rival anyone.
hell yeah, so glad it’s picked up.
low numbers might mean the pressures on for better episodes, which benefits we the viewers
One more thing – Joshua Jackson is a great actor, I wrote him off as another WB typical teen star, but he has shown some great acting chops – looking back I think he would have made a great Anakin Skywalker, and Tracey Gold could have been his Padme
I happen to love Smallville, and it is NOT crap, thank you. I also love Fringe and I’m glad it’s been renewed. There’s no other character like Walter on television. He’s the best!
Wanda Sykes is a great standup comedian. I don’t know if she’s necessarily talk show material, but she’s definitely funny
Smallville one day and Fringe the next, it don’t get much better than that!
Anyone who thinks Joshua Jackson is a “great actor” is just laughably dumb.
@Smelly – Well maybe ‘great’ was an exaggeration but he is certainly as good as anyone on tv. I also like the fact that Olivia and Peter’s characters are not romantically involved but have a brother-sister kind of love. Olivia is a believable strong woman, unlike Kate from LOST.
FRINGE should come on Tuesdays so it can be better positioned to get solid ratings.
You again, evil Growing Pains fan! Stop trolling, will yah?
Congrats for for Fringe and Smallville.
@Growing Pains Fan
Kate isn`t a strong woman (believable or unbelievable), she is an idiot. Worst TV character ever. Bad writing, bad acting. How that douche is still alive and kicking is beyond me. I mean, we fans managed to get some annoying people out of the show (Shannon, Nikki and Paolo) but this stupid ***** is not going anywhere fast.
To mgb:
You may love Smallville, but sorry dude, it’s crap. Revel in the crap, enjoy the crap, but don’t pretend it’s gold.
more Cow is always a great news!
Nice.
YAY! Fox has made me proud for once.
YEEEEAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! THIS NEWS JUST MADE MY FRIKKIN’ YEAR!
Yay! More Bishopy goodness!
Hubby was just saying last night “I feel like some Fringe, but we’re all caught up…”
That is fantastic!
This was confirmed the other day.
What is the point of this comment? There isn’t one. Shut up, Radolfo.
wow. great news! NOW MOVE IT TO ANOTHER NIGHT!!!
I agree, this is really a tough time slot for a really good show.
I realize for ratings Thursdays suck, but for me, it works great. I love Bones and Fringe, and thanks to my dual DVR I can record Supernatural at the same time. And it’s all followed up by Burn Notice right after. A heavy night of TV watching but I get a fantastic night of TV every Thursday!!
Fringe has been the only show that has been able to calm my X-Files DT’s
Agreed. I’ve been jonesing for some X-Files goodness for years and then along comes “Fringe” and gives me what I consider to be a better version (mainly thanks to the brilliant John Noble).
Now if we could only start a fan campaign to get the Lone Gunmen to guest star….
I’m going to need Fringe to calm my Lost DTs.
this has made my weekend!!!! im so excited im floating!!!!!
SQUEE!!!!
FANTASTIC NEWS!!!
Great!!!!
Yippie!!!
This is so exciting. I KNEW it would be renewed(how can FOX not renew it?) but it’s so good to get confirmation
I’m glad FOX is giving it a chance to shine. Those ratings will be higher, next season. GUARANTEED!
OMG!!!! YES YES YES YES YES YES!!
Yay for Season 3!!!!
Now i can finally relax!!!!
Hallelujah!!!
This is great news! I just finished watching season 1 on DVD and now I am trying to get caught up on season 2 before April 1st.
