The CW Upfronts: Who are we trying to kid?
I don’t think we need to pretend that any of the readers of this website actually care about what The CW is planning on doing this fall, with a few notable exceptions. Because of this, I’m going to forego the usual massive breakdown of the networks proposed lineup complete with sociological analysis, opinions and recipes. In this case it just seems like overkill.
When the network launched last fall I was a strong supporter as it meant the two relatively insignificant networks (The WB and UPN) could pool together their best shows and really make a run at those younger viewers and present themselves as a sreious contender. Nine months later, The CW has proven to be a bust, and may have sunk shows that otherwise might have had a little more life. Now that they’ve presented their first original schedule (not comprised of the syphoning of two previously established networks) we can see exactly the type of network The CW has become: the broadcast version of MTV — which sounds like a compliment until you remember what it’s actually like to watch MTV. A brief runthrough of what’s important after the jump…
First things first, The CW is renewing the following shows of note (amongst others): Supernatural, Smallville, Everybody Hates Chris, Top Model, Beauty and the Geek.
Does something seem missing from that list? Something kind of detective-y and Mars-y? Well, the big news is that Veronica Mars is not on The CW fall schedule… yet. I say yet because the show hasn’t been cancelled either. It’s in that weird limbo where fans can continue to hope good things will come while network executives try to figure out a way to dump the show without anyone noticing and thus causing as few angry letters to be written to CW suits as possible.
What a let down. I mean, if you’re going to cancel the best show on your network, at least have the balls to actually pull the trigger. This is just gutless.
The rest of the network’s line-up this fall is going to be filled in with a few new scripted series, but mostly with bottom-of-the-barrel reality fare like the self-explanatory dating show Farmer Wants A Wife (that’s the title, I shit you not).
Kind of a bust, right?
The lack of a Veronica Mars decision might be the most significant non-news event of the week. Congrats CW. You really raised the bar for declarations of nothingness.
Read more about The CW fall schedule over at The Hollywood Reporter.
Tags: The CW, The Industry, Upfronts
June 19th, 2007 at 3:19 pm
I onle watched a couple shows on this “new and improved” station and they’re all cancelled.
7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars and they’re being replaced by “reality” TV.