J.J. Abrams: 'We Didn't Leak The Pilot Of 'Fringe''

August 29, 1:46 AMTV ExaminerRick Ellis

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Fox's new drama "Fringe" is one of the most-anticipated new Fall TV shows. In part because of its plot, which is a mix of "The X-Files," "Lost" and a number of other conspiracy shows. And in part because of the people behind it, which includes famed writer/director J.J. Abrams.

An early version of the pilot leaked online in June, a move which didn't make the show's staff happy. Since they contended the leaked version was incomplete.

The official version of the pilot hit my desk today, and it was accompanied by a note from the show's producers: J.J. Abrams, Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orci.

Here's the letter in its entirety, which is both funny and at least a partial explanation of the series.

"Dear Attractive, Intelligent, Funny TV Journalist,

We're so thrilled that you liked the pilot of FRINGE, which you more than likely downloaded illegally. In all seriousness, we definately did NOT leak the pilot, nor did we want it leaked, but here's the final version. If you watched the leaked version, you can spot the changes!

FRINGE, which premieres Tuesday, September 9th on Fox, exists in a world where science makes anything you can imagine possible and then some. In creating this show, we thought about all the TV we loved growing up, and decided to make something we would want to see as fans. The good and bad news is we're fans of everything: action, mystery, romance, comedy and of course, science.

While FRINGE is a procedural, we wanted to add what many procedurals lack: character. And we wanted to dream up three characters who couldn't be more different, and then hand them insane problems to solve.

We're very excited about how it turned out, and think you'll like this final cut as much as the leaked version--hopefully even more."

The pilot episode was part of a very cool "Fringe" press kit, which included a poster, a t-shirt, a logoed bag, a file folder with some hints on the backstory and a digital voice recorder with confidential case files from "Homeland Security Agent Phillip Broyles."