05 March 2008

CW announces early pickups for fall

The CW announced several early pick-ups for the fall TV season. Faced with a 25% drop in viewers overall, the network has decided to keep some of its staples, by renewing struggling Supernatural for a fourth season. Also due back is reality/game show America’s Next Top Model and the comedy Everybody Hates Chris along with freshman drama Gossip Girl. Meanwhile two other picks seemed a bit of surprise, as Smallville will return for season eight, while ratings starved One Tree Hill will return for a fifth year.

Expect a major cast shake-up at Smallville, by-the-way. Both Michael Rosenbaum and Kristin Kreuk have already announced they're leaving and the show is expected to be retooled, but not drastically.

One show left off the early renewal list was critical darling Reaper. One guess that the handful of new episodes to begin airing in April will decide its fate. This show is funny and a bit off, but deserves a chance to prove how good it can be.

And while the fate of Aliens in America is in the same box as Reaper, its seems almost assured for the cancellation bin. Despite the early pick-up of Everybody, the CW has shuttered its comedy department and has decided to focus on serial dramas and reality/game shows.

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