The CW's Fall 2008 Schedule

The CW has unveiled its new fall 2008 schedule to advertisers in New York including a completely revamped Tuesday night, changes on Wednesdays and Fridays, and sold out Sunday nights.

New shows: "90210," "Surviving the Filthy Rich" and "Stylista."

Returning at midseason: "Reaper."

Canceled: "Life is Wild," "Aliens in America," "Girlfriends," "Beauty and the Geek," "Girlicious," "CW Now," "Online Nation."


NEW SHOWS:


90210 - Jennie Garth will guest star as guidance counselor Kelly Taylor on the contemporary spin-off of the iconic drama "Beverly Hills, 90210," centered around the Mills family. This time around, the dad becomes the West Beverly High principal, the son is adopted and African-American, the family has an alcoholic grandma who is a fading actress, the school reporter does a daily newscast, and a popular girl is a YouTube star.

SURVIVING THE FILTHY RICH - Leading out of "90210" this new drama will follow a 23-year old Megan (JoAnna Garcia, "Reba") who becomes the live-in tutor for cosmetics mogul Laurel Limoges twin teen granddaughters in the ritzy Palm Beach. Hunky Michael Cassidy ("Smallville") stars as Megan's best friend Charlie who is secretly in love with her. The producers are now casting an "extremely hot young dilettante" who lives next door.

STYLISTA - A reality show from the producers of "America's Next Top Model" and "Project Runway" along the lines of the movie "The Devil Wears Prada," where 11 aspiring fashion enthusiasts vie for an editorial job with Elle magazine.


THE CW FALL 2008 SCHEDULE:
(Launches Monday, September 1)


MONDAYS:
8:00pm Gossip Girl
9:00pm One Tree Hill

TUESDAYS:
8:00pm 90210 (NEW)
9:00pm Surviving the Filthy Rich (NEW)

WEDNESDAYS:
8:00pm America's Next Top Model
9:00pm Stylista (NEW)

THURSDAYS:
8:00pm Smallville
9:00pm Supernatural

FRIDAYS:
8:00pm Everybody Hates Chris
8:30pm The Game
9:00pm America's Next Top Model (Encore)


Comments:

Although it may seem a little strange to air two brand new shows back to back, the power of the 90210 brand is strong enough to anchor Tuesday nights. The success of the night will obviously depend on the execution of the spin-off. The buzz and the eyeballs will be there. At least in the beginning.

Both "Gossip Girl" and "One Tree Hill" were actually doing a little better in their respective timeslots on Wednesday and Tuesday night, but the network needed to save them from FOX's juggernaut "American Idol." Although they have been averaging only 2.5 million viewers, the shows are building momentum among target female demos.

The move however almost killed The CW's comedy line-up, for which reason the network is giving up on programming Sunday nights in-house, and the last 2 surviving sitcoms are headed to Friday nights in place of the departing wrestling show. Although they will never match the high ratings of wrestling, perhaps The CW can gradually rebuild its comedy block there.

The network's main target group is young women, hence the Monday-Wednesday line-up. In fact, even the special effects-heavy Thursday night shows "Smallville" and "Supernatural" which do have a certain young male fan base, are already being marketed for their gorgeous men, not necessarily the content.

But as veteran "Smallville" enters its 8th year sans a number of key regulars, the CW better find that next big hit pronto or they may be in even bigger trouble next year.

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