That's the rumor about Reaper that is swirling around the industry. And it might be true, because even though it does better in the ratings overall than Gossip Girl, the latter show has already been renewed.
That's because Gossip Girl has several things going for it that Reaper doesn't: buzz, sex, controversy, and higher ratings in the younger 18 to 34 demographic that networks and advertisers love.
I find it odd and disheartening when networks do this. Networks want a big hit and "buzz" these days and don't give shows enough time to grow. We've talked about this ad nauseum, but it doesn't make it any less true. Everyone at The CW will admit that Reaper is a "good" show, a "quality" show, and isn't that enough to renew it? If there's any network that needs to brand itself, to stand out, to get people interested in it, it's certainly The CW. So even though I'm not a regular Reaper watcher, I think they should renew the show, invest in it, instead of coming up with some other show next fall (probably a Gossip Girl rehash or another reality show) that will probably fail anyway.
For the record, The CW says that Reaper's fate "will be revealed when we announce our schedule on May 13."
All the new shows - VIDEOS
The Upfronts: FOX
Carter Bays of How I Met Your Mother: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-28-2008 @ 5:54PM
Oreo said...
Welcome to 6 months ago Bob. This rumor has been around almost as long as the show. I don't see anyway for The CW to cancel the show with the ratings it is getting.
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 5:55PM
bkdealer said...
We love Reaper and it is the only show we watch on The CW, so if it is cancelled, The CW will be dead to us!
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 6:13PM
jon said...
old rumor, true... i still don't understand why the CW doesn't have Reaper as a lead-in for Supernatural.
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 10:50PM
Lenny said...
Having those two shows together would be perfect. They are the only two shows on the CW I watch. Everything else they have I can't stand, but Reaper and Supernatural are wonderful.
4-29-2008 @ 9:39AM
eric f. said...
Exactly
4-28-2008 @ 6:16PM
Beth said...
It has to be canceled because it's smart and funny. These qualities are show-killers.
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 6:30PM
nattyff said...
yes, with supernatural would rock!!! can't belive that gossip girl get a chance when reaper don't, so unfare!!
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 6:39PM
kate said...
gossip girl is pure trash! reaper and supernatural are the ONLY shows that make the cw watchable for me, now that gilmore girls is gone. if reaper goes, so do i!
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 6:53PM
Matty said...
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Not that this is a surprise or anything. Reaper seems like the type of show that would do very well on DVD. So this means The CW can bring in another new show for cancellation next year. Pretty soon, no one will even realize they're a network if they keep cancelling everything.
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 6:57PM
Liz said...
Reaper is the only thing I watch on the CW and I hope it gets renewed. I think the CW has only made the ratings worse by doing things like switching the day and time around every few weeks and putting it up against shows with the same audience. Did they really expect it to do well at the same time as Lost?
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 7:06PM
Oreo said...
It actually did good after Smallville / Supernatural when Lost was on. It is higher rated overall than GG.
4-28-2008 @ 7:21PM
MERVE-THE-PERVE said...
Reaper is the only show I watch on the Crap Wiper (CW) network. If they cancel it, I'm done with them for good. They have nothing else worth a crap on there. A new network should be trying to get new viewers, not running them off. I guess they are just like all of the rest of the crappy networks. Hurry up and cancel all the good shows so they can put more crap on that nobody will watch. SCREW YOU CW!!!
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 7:26PM
liv said...
This show is unique and fun - it would be such a shame if they cancelled it. :(
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 7:29PM
Ripcord83 said...
Are they taking cues from FOX again?
Such a great show too.
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 8:10PM
GL said...
It's a shame. Reaper has some good things going for it.
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 8:49PM
keithnl said...
Instead of sending nuts or some other random related product as a sign of support, I think in keeping with the plot and dark humor of the show that a good old fashioned suicide would be best.
I pledge that if Reaper is canceled I will kill myself. Anyone else in? Sign the Reaper suicide pact today, if your willing to lose your life it might just save your favorite show.
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 8:57PM
lucyfan62 said...
The buss has been that it started with promise and lost its way...and the strike didn't help it gain any momentum (nor did the several time slot changes!)...but I love REAPER and the last few eps with the gay demons trying to overthrow Satan have been terrific. Bret Harrison is adorable (I was a fan of Fox's mistreated THE LOOP as well), and Ray Wise is just spectacular as the Devil. I really hope The CW takes a chance and grants REAPER a new life next season!!!
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 8:58PM
lucyfan62 said...
I must be really tired...I meant to say the BUZZ has been...Geez!
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 9:06PM
Gordon Werner said...
if this is true then I can delete the CW (Dumbest network name ever) from my DVR's favorite list
Reply
4-28-2008 @ 9:20PM
ac said...
1st Veronica Mars, now Reaper. The CW needs to realize they are the CW, not Fox. Take what little blips in the ratings you can get.
Reply