Have You Observed the Observer?

Do you ever get the feeling that you’re being watched?

It’s not paranoia. It’s The Observer from Fringe and he’s been out and about, watching modern Americans going about their business — and no, I don’t just mean in the fictional sense.

As part of a plan to hawk this week’s revealing episode of Fringe, Fox has planted Observer lookalikes in major cities all over the US. If you see one, say hello and he’ll offer you a bottle of Tabasco sauce. They’ve also sent The Observer to watch Sunday Night Football and check out the kids on So You Think You Can Dance.

This giant Fringe version of Where’s Waldo may leave you feeling a little paranoid if you watch a lot of shows on Fox. Rumor has it that they’ve even included some sublimnal frames of the bald one as well as some longer, more easily spotted flashes throughout their other TV shows.

It’s all a huge game with the end goal of getting more viewers to tune in to the ratings challenged series (thanks to an unnecessary move to Thursday night.)

But Fringe execs Jeff Pinkner and J.H. Wyman aren’t worried. On a conference call with reporters earlier today, they said that shows such as Lost, Alias and Fringe are designed to appeal to a specific niche audience and so they often fly below the ratings radar.

Says Pinkner, “These shows are like licorice and not everyone likes licorice.” But if you do enjoy the chewy treat, then you’re going to love what’s coming up on Fringe.

Fringe airs Thursday nights at 9:00 on Fox.

CR: Michael Courtney/FOX