CW Redux
More thoughts on The CW.
If I were programming this amalgam network known as The CW, I'd focus on the following:
1. Shift Everybody Hates Chris to Mondays
As UPN’s highest-ever rated sitcom, Chris is a lock to make it onto the schedule of the new CW. I’d keep the UPN Monday urban-comedy block intact, and use Chris as the anchor.
2. Keep Veronica Mars
Pairing Veronica with Gilmore Girls on Tuesdays seems like a natural to me.
3. Make Wednesday night CW's reality night
Is it me, or does the combination of UPN’s America’s Next Top Model and WB’s
Beauty and the Geek seem like perfect counter-programming on Wednesdays?
4. The WB’s Thursday becomes The CW’s Thursday
The combination of Smallville and Everwood is giving The WB its highest-ever Thursday-night numbers, so why mess with a good thing? The only possible reason to break-up this lineup would be to use Smallville’s resurgent strength to anchor the troubled Sunday lineup. If the proposed Smallville spin-off Aquaman works, then in theory Aquaman could slide into the Thursday Smallville slot, allowing The CW to use Smallville to anchor a rebuilt Sunday lineup. In the “also could work here” category: The WB’s upcoming Pepper Dennis. If this Rebecca Romijn show takes off, it could make for a fine 8:00 anchor on this night.
5. UPN’s Friday becomes The CW’s Friday
WWE Smackdown. Bad TV, but people love it. Enough said.
6. Supernatural Sundays
The WB’s surprise freshman hit Supernatural should slide into the Sunday at 9 slot, as perfect X-Files-ish counter-programming to ABC’s Desperate Housewives. Earlier in the evening, Reba would work as the 7:00 lead-off, with either Pepper Dennis, Smallville, or possibly even Aquaman at 8:00.
Admittedly, I could even make a case for a shift of Supernatural to the Thursday-at-9 slot, depending on how strong The CW's development season turns out to be. But we'll save that conversation for another day.
7. Say goodbye to…
7th Heaven (actually, this one has already announced that this will be its last season), One on One, South Beach, One Tree Hill, Related, Eve, Cuts, Love, Inc., What I Like About You, Twins, Living with Fran, Charmed, and Blue Collar TV.
Fox 2?
With the announcement of The CW comes the loss of the UPN affiliation for several Fox-owned stations (including WWOR in New York). Rumors have been swirling since that announcement that Fox will attempt to use the schedule time vacated by UPN programming for repurposed programming from the Fox network, FX, Fox News Channel, and its other cable properties.
Friends Again?
Another rumor making its way around town these days is that NBC is negotiating with the cast of Friends for a series of four one-hour Friends specials next season.
Such a return would be huge for the struggling peacock, which has dropped to fourth place in the network ratings race. And such a return would be huge for viewers as well, as a Friends revival would most certainly spell the end of Joey.
See? Some good CAN come of a TV reunion.
If I were programming this amalgam network known as The CW, I'd focus on the following:1. Shift Everybody Hates Chris to Mondays
As UPN’s highest-ever rated sitcom, Chris is a lock to make it onto the schedule of the new CW. I’d keep the UPN Monday urban-comedy block intact, and use Chris as the anchor.
2. Keep Veronica MarsPairing Veronica with Gilmore Girls on Tuesdays seems like a natural to me.
3. Make Wednesday night CW's reality night
Is it me, or does the combination of UPN’s America’s Next Top Model and WB’s
Beauty and the Geek seem like perfect counter-programming on Wednesdays?
4. The WB’s Thursday becomes The CW’s ThursdayThe combination of Smallville and Everwood is giving The WB its highest-ever Thursday-night numbers, so why mess with a good thing? The only possible reason to break-up this lineup would be to use Smallville’s resurgent strength to anchor the troubled Sunday lineup. If the proposed Smallville spin-off Aquaman works, then in theory Aquaman could slide into the Thursday Smallville slot, allowing The CW to use Smallville to anchor a rebuilt Sunday lineup. In the “also could work here” category: The WB’s upcoming Pepper Dennis. If this Rebecca Romijn show takes off, it could make for a fine 8:00 anchor on this night.
5. UPN’s Friday becomes The CW’s Friday
WWE Smackdown. Bad TV, but people love it. Enough said.
6. Supernatural Sundays
The WB’s surprise freshman hit Supernatural should slide into the Sunday at 9 slot, as perfect X-Files-ish counter-programming to ABC’s Desperate Housewives. Earlier in the evening, Reba would work as the 7:00 lead-off, with either Pepper Dennis, Smallville, or possibly even Aquaman at 8:00.
Admittedly, I could even make a case for a shift of Supernatural to the Thursday-at-9 slot, depending on how strong The CW's development season turns out to be. But we'll save that conversation for another day.
7. Say goodbye to…
7th Heaven (actually, this one has already announced that this will be its last season), One on One, South Beach, One Tree Hill, Related, Eve, Cuts, Love, Inc., What I Like About You, Twins, Living with Fran, Charmed, and Blue Collar TV.
** ** **
Fox 2?
With the announcement of The CW comes the loss of the UPN affiliation for several Fox-owned stations (including WWOR in New York). Rumors have been swirling since that announcement that Fox will attempt to use the schedule time vacated by UPN programming for repurposed programming from the Fox network, FX, Fox News Channel, and its other cable properties.
** ** **
Friends Again?
Another rumor making its way around town these days is that NBC is negotiating with the cast of Friends for a series of four one-hour Friends specials next season.
Such a return would be huge for the struggling peacock, which has dropped to fourth place in the network ratings race. And such a return would be huge for viewers as well, as a Friends revival would most certainly spell the end of Joey.
See? Some good CAN come of a TV reunion.
posted by TV Boy at 8:30 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home