Fringe Observers Planted At Packers-Cowboys Game

Fox’s Fringe was written off early on by a lot of TV viewers as a rip-off of The X-Files. While it shares some similarities – FBI agents investigating paranormal activity – that’s about where the similarities end. They are actually pretty different shows. The X-Files was fairly aliens-centric, while Fringe deals with parallel universes and fringe science.

I was initially lured in by Fringe’s rich cinematography and was quickly drawn into the show’s story. Some of the writing can be comically expositional at times, but it’s buoyed by a strong cast. Who would have thought I could tolerate that Dawson’s Creek guy?

Why am I talking about a sci-fi show on a Green Bay Packers blog? Because Fox chose the Packers-Cowboys game to roll out some uncharacteristically subtle promotion for the show.

Fringe sometimes features strange “Men in Black” like men called The Observers. Bald, stiff and dressed in 50s era suits, they are always spotted before or during major disasters or historical events. And sure enough, whenever Fringe features a calamity of one kind or another a careful scan of the extras in the background usually reveals an Observer watching the events unfold.

I sort of sat up in my chair last Sunday when coverage resumed after the end of the first quarter. At first, I thought I spotted two Dallas superfans dressed as Tom Landry, but as the camera zoomed in closer I realized I was wrong. Plopped into the middle of a sea of green and gold were two, strange bald men – two Observers. Take a look at the video.

Hats off, Fox. Very geektastic. I’d love to know what the half drunk Packers fans sitting around them thought about these weirdos.

Now, does this say anything about the historical relevance of last Sunday’s Packers victory? Or might it indicate how disastrous the loss was for The Cowboys? Only time will tell.

By the way, Fringe is on tonight. Check your local listings.

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