Fringe is an American science fiction television series co-created by J. J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The series follows an FBI Fringe Division team based in Boston, Massachusetts under the supervision of Homeland Security. The team uses unorthodox "fringe" science and FBI investigative techniques to investigate "the Pattern", a series of unexplained, often ghastly occurrences which are occurring all over the world. The show has been described as a cross between The X-Files, Altered States, The Twilight Zone, and Dark Angel
The series premiered in the United States on September 9, 2008, on the Fox network. Fringe was part of a Fox initiative known as "Remote-Free TV". Episodes of Fringe were longer than standard dramas on current network television. The show ran with half the commercials during the first season, adding about six minutes to the show's run time. When the show goes to a commercial, a short bumper will air informing the viewer of roughly how much time commercials will consume before the program resumes. On October 1, 2008, Fringe first season was extended to 22 episodes. This was then cut back to 20 episodes with the season finale airing May 12. The series was renewed for a second season. Season 2 premiered September 17, 2009
