Fox offers viewers a chance to tweet about leftover helpings of “Fringe” (8 p.m., Fox) and Friday night’s repeat of “Glee.”

Viewers who belong to the social networking site can follow commentary on the shows from the cast and producers as well as answers to fan questions. Those who don’t can follow the commentary on a scroll that appears at the lower third of the screen.

This gimmick reflects thinking that is very new yet surprisingly vintage. For some time, “Lost” repeats included text commentary and arcane information. The marriage of text and video probably enjoyed its biggest heyday in the 1990s with VH1’s “Pop-up Videos.”

The use of Twitter to “connect” with shows is about more than just words. Audience members are invited to be part of a “community.” Sometimes the bonds between viewers are more important than the size of the audience.

The original, low-rated “Star Trek” was canceled more than 40 years ago, but Trekkies have been gathering for almost as many years.

It doesn’t apply only to scripted fare. Watching “The Factor with Bill O’Reilly” (7 p.m., Fox News), it’s easy to see how his audience is encouraged to feel that they are part of a club of “folks” and like-minded viewers. He even has a Web site where you can buy books, hats and mugs. And like any organization, there are invitations to become a member, even a “premium” member.

Heck, this collective viewing trend dates back to the infancy of the medium. The defining kids’ show of the 1950s was not “The Mickey Mouse” show, but “The Mickey Mouse Club.”

In fact, it’s even older than television. In the 1983 holiday favorite “A Christmas Story,” set in 1939, little Ralphie is excited to get his “Little Orphan Annie” decoder ring, a device he hopes will help him delve deeper into the radio show’s mysteries. Instead, he discovers that the ring merely offers unsubtle advertisements for the breakfast drink Ovaltine.

Which brings us back to tonight’s “Fringe.” Will this build a bigger, more networked audience for the show or merely increase awareness of Twitter?

• Is originality dead? Last week’s box office showdown was between a 3-D sequel to the well-worn “Final Destination” franchise and a remake of the sequel “Halloween II.”

But there’s nothing new about this. In 1960, Hollywood remade Akira Kurosawa’s “The Seven Samurai” as “The Magnificent Seven” (7 p.m., TCM), and over the next dozen years went on to milk the magnificence with “Return of the Seven” (9:15 p.m.), “Guns of the Magnificent Seven” (11 p.m.) and “The Magnificent Seven Ride!” (1 a.m.).

Don’t get me started on “The Planet of the Apes.”

Tonight’s other highlights

Listings may vary depending on local sports coverage.

• On two episodes of “30 Rock” (NBC), Floyd’s return (7 p.m.), Jack’s search for his father (8:30 p.m.).

• Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the 2006 drama “Blood Diamond” (7 p.m., USA).

• Michael and Holly put on a memorable show on “The Office” (8 p.m., NBC).

• A mystery bug claims numerous victims on “CSI” (8 p.m., CBS).

• Heidi Klum hosts “Project Runway” (9 p.m., Lifetime).