Fringe & Dollhouse Get Less Annoying

By Johnny Butane
May 15th, 2008

In an interesting move both for network television and viewers in general, Fox announced today that they will be trying a new experiment with two of next season’s more promising shows; the JJ Abrams-creatred “Fringe” and Joss Whedon’s “Dollhouse”. Namely, less commercials!

Variety is reporting that both shows will be part of what the network is dubbing “Remote-Free TV”, cutting the number of ads that will run during the shows in half, meaning for every hour of television there will only be five minute of commercial interruptions.

"It's always a struggle to get traction," Abrams told the trade, "and it feels like there are a dozen commercial breaks per hour. Anything that allows us to have more time is great."

Hopefully this will mean even less chance for viewers to pull a “Firefly” on Whedon’s “Dollhouse” as well, though admittedly that show’s failure was as much Fox’s fault as the viewers disinterest/confusion.

“Fringe” will will air Tuesdays at 9PM, playing right after “House”, whereas “Dollhouse” is tentatively scheduled to run Mondays at 8PM, right in front of “24”. Good news for both shows, for sure, but even more so for viewers who will have less temptation to buy cars or eat at Chili’s.

- Johnny Butane