Few titles could be more apropos than Fringe when it comes to describing how I first felt about a series. I was on the edge of liking it; I was on the edge of hating it. In short, I was on the fringe. But now, after three episodes, I'm on the fringe no more. I'm just hooked. I simply have to know whether Blair Brown and her creepy robotic arm are good or bad.

As one of the most hyped shows of the new season, the new J.J. Abrams series premiered with a 90-minute pilot that set up its X-Files-meets-Dr. Frankenstein sprinkled with the Bourne franchise (minus the amnesia thing) premise. Each week, FBI agent Olivia Dunham (Anna Torv, who could be Cate Blanchett's younger sister); the formerly mad scientist, Dr. Walter Bishop (John Nobel); and his genius grifter son Peter Bishop (Joshua Jackson) track down a series of what can only be described as attacks of weird science that are part of a global conspiracy of weird science called The Pattern.

Are you still with me? Do you need a sip of water? Shall we proceed?

The Pattern is the show's biggest selling point. As much as I like seeing Anna in her FBI pantsuits each week, it's the conspiracy that gets former X-Philes like myself really excited. Who is behind all these bizarre acts? Why are they doing it? And how does Massive Dynamic and Blair's robotic arm fit into everything? These are the kind of questions that can propel a series for seasons. … continue reading

This week, we review new shows like True Blood (HBO), Privileged (The CW) and Fringe (Fox), the season premiere of Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (Fox), and the last few episodes of The Closer (TNT), leading up to tonight's cliff-hanger season finale.

But first, we rave about how much we loved Tina Fey and Amy Poehler on SNL, and Lori reveals whether she, too, could see Russia from her house in Alaska!

Check back next week for a new episode of SMMWT!, and watch previous episodes here.

The summer TV schedule has barely gotten off the ground, and the networks are already rolling out the big trailers for fall. This means you’ll probably be sick of most shows before they even premiere — which is usually the case for me. But I have a confession to make: I’ve been sucked in by the Fox hype machine. After watching a promo the other night, I’m now totally psyched for the new J.J. Abrams joint, Fringe, starring Anna Torv and Pacey Joshua Jackson.

If Fringe is half as good as Abrams’ other shows (Felicity, Alias, Lost), we’re in for lots of smart, ass-kicking fun. And by the looks of the new trailer, we’ve got nothing to worry about. Check it out and let me know what you think.

OK, how cool was that? It reminds me of a cross between Alias and The X-Files — with a Lost-style plane crash thrown in for good measure. And it doesn’t hurt that Torv is smokin’ hot either. Her FBI character, Olivia Dunham, could be the next Sydney Bristow (minus the awesome wigs, unfortunately). … continue reading