Know your 2009 pilots: The CW knows drama. Comedy, not so much.
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The CW has already picked up six of its shows for next season, which means that just about half of its 13-hour weekly schedule is filled. Of course, given the train wreck that's been Sunday nights this season and the fact that "America's Next Top Model" and "90210" still run weekly encores, the young network still has a lot of work to do.
The good news for the network is that after barely being in the pilot market the past couple years, The CW has a half-dozen scripted projects in contention for 2009-10. That's still a pretty thin margin for error, but it may represent a step in the right direction for the network.
The six pilots are all dramas, and though some of them may have comedic elements, it's pretty well accepted that The CW is now out of the sitcom business -- so much so that Mara Brock Akil, the creator of "The Game," is considering retooling her show into an hour-long dramedy to help keep it alive. There have also been reports that "Everybody Hates Chris" is on its way out.
Since The CW only has six pilots in consideration, the final installment of Know Your Pilots will just take a look at all of them, from another '90s remake to a spinoff set in the '80s.
"Melrose Place"
What it is: A new version of the 1990s FOX show, following in the footsteps of "90210."
Why we're interested: We want to see if writers Todd Slavkin and Darren Swimmer, both veterans of "Smallville," can find a more consistent tone than "90210" has. We're only mildly curious about the cast, which includes Ashlee Simpson-Wentz, Katie Cassidy and Michael Rady.
"The Body Politic"
What it is: A Washington-set drama focusing on young congressional staffers.
Why we're interested: It has one of the better young casts of any pilot this season, including Minka Kelly, Jason Dohring, Gabrielle Union, Brian Austin Green and, as Kelly's senator father, Tim Matheson.
"Beautiful Life"
What it is: A drama about New York models and the darker side of the industry.
Why we're interested: Mischa Barton as an "older" model, and Elle Macpherson as the head of an agency? We smell camp classic.
"Vampire Diaries"
What it is: The story of a young woman caught between two vampire brothers (Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder), one good and one evil. [Cough]"Twilight"[cough]
Why we're interested: Former wunderkind Kevin Williamson ("Scream," "Dawson's Creek") is one of the creators, and we can see Wesley and Somerhalder as brothers (and vampires).
"Light Years"
What it is: A show about a 16-year-old girl who tracks down her biological parents and finds out they haven't spoken since the one-night stand that resulted in her conception.
Why we're interested: Interesting premise and cast, including Shiri Appleby, Kristoffer Polaha and Britt Robertson ("Swingtown") in the lead role.
"Lily"/"Gossip Girl" spinoff
What it is: The adventures of "Gossip Girl" mom-to-be Lily Rhodes (Brittany Snow) in 1980s Los Angeles.
Why we're interested: Snow is very well cast -- and when you add "Pretty in Pink" star Andrew McCarthy as her dad, we're there.
Related:
Know your 2009 pilots: The buzz at NBC
Know your 2009 pilots: FOX edition, with guest star Earl Hickey
Know your 2009 pilots: Coming, perhaps, to CBS
Know your pilots: Coming soon (maybe) to ABC
Photos: The possible stars of 2009-10
They can't cancel "Everybody Hates Chris". That's just unhealthy. Plus, they can't re-tool "The Game" for they would be jumping the shark if they do.
I really love the sound of the premise and cast for Body Politic. Jason Dohring, Minka Kelly, Brian Austin Green, set as young up and comers in Washington DC? I'm already there! That doesn't even count the bonus of Gabrielle Union from Bring It On, one of my fave cheerleader movies! As for the others, I'm pretty 'meh' about Vampire Diaries as Eastwick sounds like it would be a better bet as a new supernatural/Other World type show and I still refuse to read Twilight as there are so many *good* authors out there!
The Light Years sounds boring, but I do kind of want to see at least what they do with Melrose Place, as I used to love that show.
I am a fan of The Game.
Thank you Keith! No one seems to care about "Everybody Hates Chris" but me.
Comedy lacking on CW? That's what you get for cancelling your highest rated sitcom, Reba, two years ago for stupid reason.
I want to see the GG spinoff!!!
Ugh, what is with the lack of new sitcoms? Fox only has 1 live action sitcom (though plenty of animated sitcoms), and that is "'Til Death". NBC only has 1 good sitcom "My Name Is Earl" and ABC has 2 good ones ("Ugly Betty" and "According to Jim"). It seems like only CBS does a good job with their unbeatable Monday lineup ("The Big Bang Theory", "How I Met Your Mother", "Two and a Half Men", "Rules of Engagement") and "The New Adventures of Old Christine".
The CW made a huge mistake letting the potential Sherri Sheppard sitcom slip through their fingers and over to Lifetime ...
And they made an even larger mistake by letting Reba go for the aforementioned stupid reason ...
There IS a place for traditional sitcoms at the CW, somebody just needs to wake up from their angst ridden coma and realise it, commission a few, give them decent timeslots and nurture and promote them.
All of these sound really good.
"The Body Politic" has a few good actors in it but the premise of the show really stinks. I won't be watching.
Ashlee Simpson-Wentz on the new Melrose Place? Wow, good way to ruin it before it even gets started. I know even lip synchers should be given second chances (um wait, should they?), but c'mon! Who doesn't see the ridiculousness of that!