The CW Network has renewed six shows, including Supernatural, One Tree Hill, America’s Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, 90210 and Smallville. The one that surprises me the most from the list is Smallville, which was expected to end its run last season when most of the cast’s contracts were up and the original showrunners left the series. Thankfully it got picked up and a surge of creative juices making the current season the best season since the first, with the near perfect Legion episode featuring three members of the Legion of Superheroes, engaging storylines featuring Green Arrow and Martian Manhunter, Doomsday, and Lana and Lex getting a final send off with a bang. This past season makes me wonder what the show would have been like had the original showrunners left a long time ago.
Sadly, two of my favorite CW shows, Reaper and Privileged have not been picked up. Reaper is only just about to start its second season, taking over the post Gossip Girl spot that Privileged held. First, I have to say how funky of a spot that is for Reaper. The network couldn’t put it after Supernatural or 13: The Fear is Real? I can’t imagine that the teenyboppers that are watching Gossip Girl and going to stay for Reaper‘s supernatural comedy. Although, that Sock is dreamy. Second, I can only assume that the network is trading spots with these two good shows to choose which one to keep and which to cut. And that’s a shame, with time and some better scheduling, I think both shows could develop into great shows. I mean, the network did give One Tree Hill a chance, and now it is more fresh than it ever was. Who ever though Hill would make it to seven seasons?
I wonder, will they team the 90210 remake/continuation up with the new Melrose Place? That’s right, they officially announced that they are making it, with Davis Guggenheim (An Inconvenient Truth) directing the pilot. We can now start to guess who they might have anchor the show from the original cast, I’d perfer to have Andrew Shue’s Billy return, but we’ll likely be stuck with Heather Locklear. Locklear has jumped from show to show with none surviving her reign since Melrose ended. Maybe they creators will get really creative and have Grant Show’s Jake Hanson dating Jennie Garth’s Kelly Taylor, and have 90210 lead directly into Melrose Place. Better yet, have Hanson dating one of the high schoolers. Oh, the drama!
I hope Reaper gets renewed. Why the CW would rather renew shows with only one season left rather than ones that have the potential to go many more years is beyond me.
I also thought I would let you know that they released a bunch of promo clips for the premiere next Tuesday if you would like to see them.
I’ve been enjoying all of the new promos for the show.
In other CW news, Brittany Snow is rumored to be playing young Lily in the “Gossip Girl” spinoff. Sadly, I don’t think she is right for the role. I enjoy GG, and I don’t see why we need a “name” in the role. I’d prefer an unknown actress.
The new Melrose Place has its first cast member! Katie Cassidy has been cast as Ella. Cassidy recently appeared in the Liam Neeson thriller Taken. She has also appeared in a couple episodes of Supernatural for the CW.
Actually Michael Rady, from Greek, was the first person cast on the new Melrose Place.
The reboot of Melrose Place almost has a full cast, with Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, and Jessica Lucas joining Michael Rady and Katie Cassidy. EW is reporting that Heather Locklear will not be returning to the series. Apparently she declined the offer to reprise the character of Amanda Woodward. Unlike the new 90210, this Melrose Place might be better off not having one of the old cast members returning.