Sometimes terrible ratings and network politics don't matter. And thank goodness for that. Fox has decided to renew cult series Fringe for a fourth season, thus ending weeks of speculation about its fate.
The series -- which moved from Thursdays to Fridays this year, and watched its ratings fall precipitously -- has a small-but-loyal fanbase, one that usually gets the short-shrift from network executives. Not here though -- the fourth season pick-up is for 22 episodes, meaning Fox has made a full-commitment to the J.J. Abrams-produced series in 2012.
Wrote Abrams in an email to Vulture: "Whew! And thanks to Fringe-rs everywhere!!!!" You're welcome.