The CW released their 2009 lineup on Thursday, May 21st, following all the other network announcements this week. The lineup has a few new shows, is down a couple of fan-favorite shows and has one schedule twist that surprised me, sort of.
The CW is now a power hitter in the chain of networks. Their best rated show, America’s Next Top Model doesn’t even break the top 50 network shows. I know… you’re shocked.
Despite the obvious numbers, Dawn Ostroff calls their lineup of shows “culturally current, quality programming.” I guess that’s not inaccurate.
| |
They only had 2 new shows to boast about, if you can call it boasting.
The revamped Melrose Place redo, and the thinly disguised Twilight copy, called Vampire Diaries. It’s about teenage vampires. I know. We’ve never heard that theme before.
Aside from adding the two aforementioned shows, they’ve pulled (that’s canceled in street talk.) Privileged and Reaper. For some reason they’d rather play an encore of dolls in heels (ANTM) on Friday’s than keep and air Reaper.
This tells me where their bread is buttered.
The other crazy news that came from The CW is that they’re adding the new Vampire Diaries in the time slot that Smallville had, and skewering Smallville by moving it to Friday nights where it will be the lead-in for the encore of America’s Next Top Model. If Vampire Diaries flounders, this move is going to gravely injure both Supernatural and Smallville.
Supernatural will be hurt because Diaries is the lead-in show. Smallville, because they’re getting the Foxed / Joss Whedon treatment.
Their programming outline has been referred to as narrow fem-driven strategy. It’s not a bad strategy as the demographic of women do make just as powerful a spending impact as men. We all blow money equally. Yet this strategy seems to work better on networks that have successful ratings from other shows that draw viewers in. I think it’s narrow-visioned, but that’s just me, the armchair network exec talking.
Here’s the 2009 fall schedule for The CW
- Monday: Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill
- Tuesday: 90210, Melrose Place (new)
- Wednesday: America’s Next Top Model, The Beautiful Life (new)
- Thursday: Vampire Diaries (new), Supernatural
- Friday: Smallville, America’s Next Top Model (encore)
I’d ask how you feel about this, but I have a pretty solid idea what is about to hit the comment section! Have at.
Loading ...
52 Comments
As an avid fan of the CW thursdays because of smallville and supernatural, the news of moving smallville upsets me greatly. By moving it to friday nights the cw all but ensured that next season will be its last. I have always wondered how these shows would have done had they been on another network, hmm…..
I was a latecomer to Smallville, and its precisely because of Supernatural that I started watching it. Smallville’s already been on long enough, though, so even though moving it to Fridays is going to hurt it’s ratings, it’s about time to wrap it up anyway.
Supernatural (supposedly) only has one season left, too. But I actually think Vampire Diaries might help it in the end. Girls love Supernatural because of the guys, so if you can draw more of them in with Twilight-lite they’ll probably stay for the next show, too.
Josh: That’s a fair assessment indeed on the scenario and
supernaturalfan: Yep.
WHAT HAPPEN TO EVERY BODY HATE CHRIS AND THE GAME I SEE YOU
SHOWING YOUR TRUE COLORS BY GOING WITH A ALL WHITE LINE UP
THANK FOR SHOWING THAT YOU ARE A RACIST STATION TOO
WHAT HAPPEN TO EVERY BODY HATE CHRIS AND THE GAME I SEE YOU
SHOWING YOUR TRUE COLORS BY GOING WITH A ALL WHITE LINE UP
THANK FOR SHOWING THAT YOU ARE A RACIST STATION TOO .
The CW just keeps getting suckier and suckier. Looks like I will only be watching Smallville on the DVR because Friday nights are usually spent doing other things. This shows that they really don’t give a damn about Smallville. Oh well, we knew it was the last season anyway. The rest of the lineup just looks awful…heck, it’s no surprise that no one watches The CW (which stands for Cr*ppy Watching network)because they have decided to ignore large parts of the tv audience. Their lineup, for the most part, belongs on Lifetime.
The only show of theirs I watched was Supernatural anyway I couldn’t possibly care less about smallvill I simply can’t enjoy that show It takes more creative liberties than any movie that has ever come out.
Darrell it doesn’t make the station racist they get pitched shows and have to decide to approve it or not. They don’t tell people to make all white shows. Hates Chris had a massive ratings drop and people simply stopped watching it. One problem with putting on television shows with all black casts is that the shows tend to all be exactly the same. At one point when there was UPN there were 7 or 8 all black casts and they were all the exact same half hour sitcom. Most of the time I couldn’t tell which show was which. Still though if you want to be childish and play the race card to go after the networks they don’t write the shows or do the casting for the most that’s all on the show runners.
Any Reaper fans? Although the CW is not picking up Reaper, we not giving up yet. Hollywood Reporter says ABC Studios is still trying to move the show into syndication or cable. We’re advocating all Reaper fans to write their CW affiliates. All links and info here: http://community.livejournal.com/reaperdmv/44208.html And don’t forget to contact ABC Studios and thank them for not giving up on Reaper.
All of my friends regardless of their gender or ethnicity watched The Game faithfully. It surprises me thst its not returning! How does ANTM get a Wed AND a Fri slot? That’s silly since its the same ole same ole concept $ nothing new!!! I will not watch another show on the “CW” unless u guys loose all your ratings & another company takes over…which will happen one day. I am soooo willing to wait
I’ve watched Smallville since the first episode and will continue to do so till the end, even though I believe the show’s quality has taken a serious dive in the last two years. I personally believe that it is time to end the show, but regardless of whether it ends this year or 5 years from now all I ask is that a decision is made to end the show with enough time left in the season for a proper ending to be written and produced. Rumor has it that Tom Welling has signed through season 10. If they end season 9 thinking there will be a season 10 and the CW axes the show I will be severely ticked to say the least. End it whenever you want, but respect the fans. Give us a proper, WELL FUNDED, series finale. Preferably with at least a 5 episode story arc to show Clark’s final transition into Superman, not just one freaken episode with a 20 second scene and some stock footage after teasing it all year… yes I’m bitter. Oh, and one more request… I realize that Michael Rosenbaum may never want to reappear on Smallville (he said he might do the final two episodes but I get the feeling he thought the show was going to end in season 8 when he said that, plus he seamed to think the producers were disrespecting the fans by continuing the Lex story line with a different actor in a mask), but if he won’t come back please, please don’t leave Lex Luthor dead. Jimmy Olsen is not the “real” Jimmy Olsen… fine. Stupid, but fine. But at least there is a Jimmy Olsen who is alive. You can’t kill one of the major mythology characters! Write them off if the actor wants to leave, but don’t kill them!
Just have to get this off my chest people…Vampire Diaries was written YEARS before Twilight…so please, for the love of God, stop saying that it’s a ripoff of Twilight!!!
I really love watching Supernatural, but I’m torn on what I think is probably the right thing to do, which is to stop watching the CW. I just can’t support a network who has systematically cancelled every single show geared towards african americans since its launch. Girlfriends, All of Us, Everybody Hates Chris, and finally The Game. SMH.
That’s kind of dumb reasoning irritated. Those shows were canceled for reasons none of which had anything to do with race. I’m so tired of the race card being played any chance someone gets to play it. I’m so pissed that they canceled Terminator it’s because they wanted one less show with a white cast. I’m also still pissed Buffy is gone even though it had 7 full seasons and really did run it’s course still deep down I know the show was dropped off of UPN back then to make more time for the African American entertainment.
Not everything is about race.
@Irritated
I’m black and have never seen these shows. Isn’t it possible they cancelled these shows because ratings were soo poor?
The CW sucks!!! Why will they cancel The Game? I hope another station see’s it’s potential and pick it up. I officially have no reason to watch the CW anymore. Sorry Next Top Model I have to take a stand.
John “Kahless” Taylor Poor ratings the show ran it’s course and actors leaving or no longer wanting to do it.
I AM A FAN OF ONE TREE HILL I HAVE BEEN WATCHING FROM THE VERY FIRST SHOW I NEVER MISS IT BUT HERE LATELY I HAVE HAD TO MISS ONE OR TWO SHOWS BECAUSE OF IT COMES ON MONDAY, COULD YOU PLEASE RECONSIDER MOVING IT TO ANOTHER DAY, AND AN EARLY TIME LIKE AT 8/7 CENTRAL THAT IS A BETTER TIME FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE A YOUNG CHILD,
Elizabeth I’m not sure Vic has that power, but I’m sure he will get right on it.
Daniel
You’d be surprised how many people actually think we’re in charge of TV shows…
Vic
I do not like the new line up you have for the fall.out of no where you cut The Game TV show from your list. when you first came to my TV as a new program, I thought you was going to bring ne nd exciteing shows to people. Iam so disappointed!! You took off one of few african american show off network. Do you realize that in order for me or anyone else that watch TV would need to watch something else than The local network The CW!!! I don’t think this network is going to last long,if do it would be because of AMNext Top Model!!
Ok Vic I’ve been coming to this site for awhile and I’m getting annoyed I think it’s time you bring back Angel. That show was great and deserves better than the fate you handed it. Bring it back.
The CW should be ashamed of itself. Forget Smallville or Reaper, but what about THE GAME. that was my only reason for watching the CW or t.v. period! I will not support the CW anymore unless THE GAME returns. Good luck with your fall lineup CW I hope the network fails!
LOL @Daniel.
Vic
You can tell there trying to cancel smallville who sits at home on a friday night to watch tv????
Why are you cancelling The Game? That is such a slap in the face
CW just gets worse & worse. They used to have the best weekend cartoons and action/’fantasy shows.After Smallville leaves I won’t be watching that channel at all.
well there can be only one reason why they cancelled reaper and thats because they had a show with an interesting storyline on their station and not a show about teenagers having sex and taking drugs or whatever.
Smallville moves to Friday?! What the heck kinda crap is that? I’ll never get to watch it now. I struggled to see it on thursday, but i’m always doing something on fridays.
i’m sad
smallville, the first tv show I ever watched and looked forward to every week can’t believe I actually did this for nine years I never did this for any show ever!!!! once smallville is gone bye bye fox there is nothing more boring to me than vampire movies seen one you seen them all and to see my favorite get cut by something as silly as vampires is to much!! good riddance fox I will watch my science documentaries again after all I got 400 channels to watch you seem so small now
amen to the vampire thing cynthia. what is it with the whole vampire thing lately? didn’t twilight prove that it’s a lame idea?
so i just watched the preview for “vampire diaries” and i had to go puke. i can’t believe it’s what’s taking smallville’s place. although i do think it’s funny that the one guy played Lucas Luthor in season 2 and the bad guy played Adam Knight in season 3. But yeah, it looks gross
seasons 2 and 3 of smallville that is
To ‘Foopher’ You want be disappointed if you record Smallville
in a VHS and the you can watch it any time. To ‘Vic’ Dude I am with you I have enjoyed the Tom Wellin AKA: Clark Kent for the past 9years. Are we looking for season 10 in the making?
Maybe, the coming new episodes should reveal Tom as Superman. It seems that CW is playing a Cat-and-Mouse-Game-with-the- -Fans. Vic I personally enjoy reading your Screen Rants keep it up. You are to be admired to have a large group of Fans that also enjoy reading your comments. Sunday 07,’09
Vic, try your best and find out for us what really is going to happened? Is by moving Smallville to Friday season 10 is going to start or what! Please read my comments on page Two.
Sunday 07, ‘09
i’m definitely going to do that, but still i like to see it normally haha
CW=poopy
Not to put too fine a point on it but while Vampire Diaries is a “thinly veiled” version of Twilight, the book series actually predates Stephanie Meyers book series.
That’s what I’ve come to understand Andrew.
So instead of being a copy, the Vampire Diaries is the first book, so Twilight is the follower… except Twilight somehow managed to get itself out there publicly in the mainstream first.
Dang, this sounds like a wild example of how it’s all about who you know then?
That might be true, but i doubt that producers would’ve given vampires a chance had twilight not been so freakin’ successful
That wasn’t very nice
And it totally got removed. haha
Yep.. that was not approved of language or type of comment we’re looking for, here Screen Rant.
That happened to me once. I was very out of line. Now i kinda feel bad about it. haha
Something i was thinking of; They must not have high hopes for Vampire Diaries because they moved it to the most competitive day/hour of TV. I’m pretty sure Thursdays at 8 is either really good or really bad for a show.
Let it get destroyed and then bring smallville back next year for season 10.
I am a woman and on friday nights I would rather watch the vampire diaries. Should have left smallville/ supernatural on thursdays nights. Now I may not get a chance to see either
What the heck ppl. Vampire Diaries is older than twilight. get your facts right. There are tons of vampire shows/movies/books you can’t just say “hey it’s about teenage vampires it’s just like twilight.” seriously Smith is totally different than Meyer.
Having Vampire Diaries run before supernatural is a good idea. They are both supernatural shows, hoping to hit their intended audience. I agree that supernatural has a large female audience because of the male cast. I was glad that Smallville got moved. I always make time to watch supernatural and I am planning on watching Vampire Diaries because I am a huge fan of the books and of L.J Smith who is an excellant fantasy/supernatural writer.
Honestly it really doesnt matter 2 me wut day the shows r on as long as there on.. im usually not home 2 watch em n e ways i DVR em n watch em when i get home from work.. as long as they keep comin wit the shows i love im down wit the CW..
I agree, vampire diaries seems pretty cool looking and it is a supernatural type of show. Should of followed Supernatural though. I do however hate that they moved Smallville to fridays, where more popular shows will be on, people are out for the night, or a big hit movie is premiering on HBO or cinamax. Hope Vampire Diaries does well, but at the same time, hope that Smallville don’t die due to the drastic day change.
Hello, I have been watching “Smallville” since it began. To be honest this is the only show I watch CW. It is the only one I like. I do not like any of the other shows… some are very satanic… it is getting pretty bad that this is all you show now. Smallville has had a few episodes that go too far… but the other shows are terrible. Now I see you are putting another one this year about vampires! Do you have any other creativity besides satanic type shows?? Is the person who decides these type of shows in a cult? It is getting pretty bad. What ever happened to “real” family shows. I guess this is what the world has come to and wants. Very sad and sick! I also find CW is the “worst” when it comes to commercials… You play more commercials and too many in a row when trying to watch something…. another real turn off. I counted at most times you would play “10″ in a row.. where most other stations play about “6″. Sorry to say besides Smallville… I never watch you’re programs… you are the “worst” TV station on TV! Just being honest!
What's your opinion? Leave a Reply!
Go to Gravatar.com and upload your own (we'll wait)!