TV Tidbits: Fox Plans Observer Week Viral Marketing For Fringe, Caprica Gets A New Showrunner, McG And Borat Director Team Up For NBC Comedy

Tonight in TV news: In a bid to get more live viewers forFringe, Fox is building up this week’s upcoming Observer-heavy with a large scaleviral marketing campaign, dubbed internally as “Observer Week”. The bald-headed character was one of the most intriguing elements ofFringe’sfirst season, and was notable for appearing “Where’s Waldo” style in the background of many episodes. Fans ate it up, and Fox fed the fire by having the actor appear on the network in other capacities, likethis NFL game.

I’m not sure if this is the best possible way to increaseFringeawareness, but at least they’re backing this show more than they ever didDollhouse. (And yes, I’m gratefulDollhousegot a second season, but their early meddling and Friday night time-slot didn’t help much.)

Also, we learned that the upcomingBattlestar GalacticaspinoffCapricaisgetting a new showrunner,Kevin Murphy, who has served a variety of producing roles onDesperate HousewivesandReaper. We originally mentioned in a Page 2 in October that Murphy had joinedCapricaas a co-exec producer to work on the second half of this season, but it seems that he’s been upgraded to exec-producer joining Ron Moore, David Eick, and Jane Espenson.

Murphy effused love for BSG in theoriginal Variety post:

As a rabidBattlestar Galacticafan, it’s hard not to go in that writers room and not just grin ridiculously. These are the people who made the best TV show ever. To be able to be a part of the legacy of that show, I’d be willing to pay them for that.

At the very least, it’s good to know that the show is in the hands of a BSG-verse fan.

Finally, we’velearnedthatBorat, andBrunodirectorLarry Charlesis looking to develop a new semi-scripted sitcom for NBC alongsideMcG. Charles is set to direct, write, and exec produce the unnamed show about “a group of sci-fi fanboys in a small town who shoot their own version of a canceled TV show.” The project is currently being described as  “prototype”, so it could look completely different if it ever hits TV.