Coincidence or deliberate reference?

[Newt]

A couple of small things got me to wondering lately:

In an episode of Fringe, Walter (in one of his non-sequiturs) had a bag of jam-topped Peek Freans he was offering to people.

In an episode of Dr Who the Doctor attempts to hold off the Daleks with a 'jammy dodger' (did I get that right) - the exact same type of cookie.

In the new season of Dr Who a recurring theme is the crack in the universe which keeps ominously popping up at the end of episodes.

In a recent episode of Fringe our attention was drawn to the phrase "Find the crack", twice.

In the same ep of Fringe the Sherriff said "I want to believe" - a direct Mulderism.

OK guys: am I 'seeing' too much here?  Are jam-filled cookies simply the latest 'thing'?  (Is Peek Frean putting a major push on for product placement?) Is the entire universe full of interdimensional cracks?  Is this simply happy synchronicity or is it a case of a wink-and-a-nod/homage/in-joke?   I know there are other examples of cross-referencing in TV and movies.  What are your favourites?

[Sleepyskull]

I've never seen either of those shows so I can't speak for them. However, I've had Fringe recommended to me and it does look interesting.  How is it?

[Allhallowsday]

When I watch "Jeopardy" just about every night, I do notice on current shows that topics are in the mainstream, and recently covered in online news or papers like the New York Times or Asbury Park Press, TriCity News and The Coaster... Time or Newsweek... or just dumb entertainment magazines, but often topics we are all talking or writing about...  AARP or Yahoo... AARP bulletin or Food & Wine... Bravo or CBS... there is a thread and the reference may be deliberate; but since you watch the shows, and I don't, only you might be able to construe.  There is much information to be gleaned and processed.  

[Newt]

I've had Fringe recommended to me and it does look interesting.  How is it?

I was hoping somebody else would answer this...I always feel like I am saying, "I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like".   FWIW: I enjoy Fringe.  It has quirky humour, which I adore, and Walter Bishop is one of the greatest characters ever invented for TV.  Count on him for quotable lines!  Some parts of the plots may be predictable, even formualic, but there is just enough that is 'off-the-wall' to make it easy to accept the less original bits.  It is watchable.  No; better than 'watchable': it's often fun.  It is not The X-Files revisited, despite the odd cases and paranoia. The story lines seemed to get a bit weaker toward the end of this season - but the situation set up in the season finale should go a long way toward restoring the original drive.

[Sleepyskull]

I just might have to check it out through Netflix someday!

I always feel like I am saying, "I don't know anything about art, but I know what I like".

I know exactly how you feel! Often, when I describe movies, TV shows, books, or music to somebody, I can't exactly say why it's so great, but I can describe just fine why I like it.