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On the Fringe of internet leaks

J.J. Abrams’ new drama Fringe, due to screen on the Nine Network, has had its two-hour pilot episode leaked on the internet. The show is not due to premiere in the US until late August.

Abrams is the mastermind behind Lost, Alias, and films like Cloverfield and the new Star Trek adaptation.

The pilot, rumoured to have cost a whopping $10m, is believed to have been distributed to media last week for previewing. It stars Australian actress Anna Torv (Secret Life of Us, Mistresses pictured, right) an FBI agent called to investigate a mysterious Boston plane crash. She seeks out a brilliant scientist who has the disadvantage of having been institutionalized for the previous two decades. It is described as a cross between The X-Files, Altered States and The Twilight Zone.

Meanwhile, Alan Ball’s HBO series True Blood has also been leaked. Anna Paquin stars as a telepathic waitress at a diner who falls in love with a vampire in a small town in Louisiana. Ryan Kwanten (Home and Away, Summerland) also stars. It premieres in the US in September.

But could these have been marketing stunts just to create buzz? Desperate Housewives‘ original pilot was also leaked online before the series launch, including with cast members who were replaced.

6 Responses

  1. Just watched Tru Blood and loved it! Weird to see Alan Ball take on a supernatural themed show but it’s enthralling. I’m not quite sure where it’s going, but the violent and disturbing ending is enough to keep me watching to see what happens. Looks like a show that will evolve from some slightly awkward first episode.

    Cool take on an old concept.

  2. if it wasn’t on purpose and they aren’t glad for the publicity then the industry people to whom it was supplied may end up being denied previews in the future. in the video rental industry movie previews have been denied for most big movies and all the ones we do get have watermarks or timers or alternate between black and white or colour in order to prevent piracy. most people don’t pirate and break the rules but the few who do ruin it for everyone else, it all depends on whether the makers of the product are happy about it or not, i suppose movies are different because people have to pay to see them but tv is free to view generally.

  3. I was reading an article about Christopher Nolan today about the new Batman flick and they asked him about his hopes for the box office take.
    Paraphrasing he said something about how in this day and age that the box office run or TV premiere of a new show is in ways a long advertising campaign designed at covering costs and that todays practice shows DVD is where a lot of films, especially TV shows are making serious cash.
    Interesting view I reckon

  4. I’m not thrilled about a JJ Abrams show being shown on Nine. It will be on in prime time for two weeks then relegated to 10:30.

    Is that Pacey from Dawson’s creek in the picture with Anna Torv?

  5. YAY for pilot leaking season.

    I still remember seeing shows from past season months before they aired in the US and in some case (Studio 60) have still not aired here!

    Can’t wait for more since there is nothing much else going on, here on in the US.

  6. The US version of Life On Mars has also been leaked.

    It is the season for it (Pilot Season) get ready for a lot more over the next few weeks and months.

    Like you said in your article i dont really think the networks will care too much it is all publicity… and might create a buzz about the show and in this business that is all that matters.

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