It's CW day at the TCAs, and network honcho Dawn Ostroff presented her executive session in the middle of the day, after a parade of panels that included one pretty face after another, including Ashton Kutcher, Elle Macpherson, the cast of Vampire Diaries and a few alumni from the original Melrose Place. Ostroff fully admitted that the network is courting 35-and-under women with their shows, trying to build on the "one tweet per minute" success of shows like One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, and 90210.But what about two of the network's more veteran and male-oriented shows, Smallville and Supernatural? Does the network still believe in them? Ostroff tried to give a definitive "yes," but the rest of her panel, and the promos shown before she appeared, say otherwise.
"We felt the best way to open Friday night is with a big established hit like Smallville," said Ostroff. And in response to another question about the show maybe coming to the end, she said, "I hope it's not the last season." She talked about a few things that will happen this year, including a reason why Clark is going to need to save the world. "Soon, we're all going to be kneeling to Zod."
As for Supernatural, she says "we hope it'll go on," praising creator Eric Kripke for doing a "wonderful job." She feels both shows appeal to that women-under-35 demo they prize, mainly because "women like horror movies."
Not so sure about that. Again, it really feels like the shows are starting to blend together. Young and pretty people in conflict, whether they're vampires in the South or in an apartment complex in West Hollywood. But, then again, I'm a male over 35, so what do I know?
Ostroff thinks that folks like me are watching more of her network than we care to admit, though, saying she's met men over 35 who tell her they watch her networks' shows. I'm sure she does. Many of them are probably with their wives or girlfriends, and aren't saying what they're thinking: "If I watch these shows with my wife/girlfriend, I might just get some." But I could be wrong.
Also brought up during the panel:
- Might there be a Melrose / 90210 crossover? She wouldn't rule it out.
- Is The Body Politic dead? Yes.
- Prospects of the Gossip Girl spinoff? Dead for now.
- Also, will there ever again be a sitcom on the CW? "I think women under 35 are interested in sitcoms. I don't think we can do them loud enough to be noticed." She claims Life Unexpected comes the closest, as she says it's "like Juno meets Gilmore Girls," and that people get more invested in the stories and characters in dramas than they do in comedies (has she ever watched The Office or HIMYM?).
By the way, Ostroff wouldn't comment on the problems Mischa Barton has been having in her personal life, saying that she's "happy" that the co-star of The Beautiful Life is feeling better. "What went on in her personal life is her personal matter."
The TV Squad Podcast: Vik Sahay of Chuck, Oprah talk, brutal timeslots, and more!
TV Squad Ten: Top Ten ESPN shows from worst to first
Andy Richter: The TV Squad Interview
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-04-2009 @ 5:05PM
ch said...
HEY CW,
DON'T KILL SUPERNATURAL OR SMALLVILLE. THEY ARE THE ONLY REASON I TURN ON YOUR NETWORK.
GOSSIP GIRL AND ONE TREE HILL ARE FADING AS WE SPEAK.
Reply
8-04-2009 @ 5:08PM
Alex Ess said...
Supernatural has to find more steam fast after the upcoming season if the network wants it to keep going, and I say that as a huge fan. How do you top Lucifer?
Reply
8-04-2009 @ 5:09PM
Travis Bell said...
Huge Supernatural fan here... hasn't Kripke come out and said this will be the last season? I thought I read the series finale is all but done (in his head) and they've been planning on wrapping the story with season 5?
Maybe I mis-read what Ostroff meant, but...
Reply
8-04-2009 @ 5:42PM
Logan said...
Kripke had said that previously, but at comic-con, it said that he's open to continuing after the upcoming season, and that he has some ideas of how to carry on.
8-04-2009 @ 8:21PM
Jason said...
They lost me when they canceled Reaper.
Reply
8-04-2009 @ 5:46PM
Travis Bell said...
Ah yes, I just caught up. If CW wants it to continue, they're prepared to start a second "volume" but the story as we know it (volume 1) will be over.
Not a bad idea, but I'm concerned. Supernatural has been such a solid show for 4 straight years that either changing the formula or starting a new story could be detrimental. I hope not of course, and I have faith in the crew but it's such a good show as it stands _right now_.
Reply
8-04-2009 @ 8:41PM
Xina said...
Are you kidding me? Women don't like horror? Where have you been? That said...Have you seen those boys on Supernatural? Women certainly like them! throw in that car and the chance that Daddy Winchester might be back...trust me...women watch the show.
Reply
8-05-2009 @ 4:56PM
CParis said...
Ditto! This girl watches every week!
8-04-2009 @ 8:50PM
soulseeker said...
You are so wrong. MANY people over 35 watch Supernatural each week and I'm just one of the many - as are a lot of my co-workers - men and women. It's a topic for discussion every Friday! We all hope the show continues after Season 5 as we are not ready to quit on the Winchesters!
Reply
8-04-2009 @ 9:14PM
Kathy said...
Funny how most of the comments here are about Supernatural. The show that gets the least amount of love from the CW.
Reply
8-04-2009 @ 10:45PM
nattyff said...
SUPERNATURAL FOREVER!!! i trust the writers in the show, so if they say that they can carry on after season 5, and in the same time wrap up the story, i belive them :)
Reply
8-04-2009 @ 10:54PM
Heather said...
Agreed. People love SPN but that show gets the least love from the network. Like their recent promo? Probably about 12 seconds total for SPN and much more for all their other shows.
Reply
8-05-2009 @ 12:30AM
MrRoarke said...
Big Supernatural fan here: it's the best show on network TV right now.
Having said that, I hope Kripke sticks to his guns and calls it quits after the upcoming season. Better to go out while your still on top. The last thing I want is to start a new "volume" only for the show to then get cancelled with storylines unresolved (see Stargate SG1)
Reply
8-05-2009 @ 10:31AM
Shawn Collins said...
Huge Supernatural fan here--woman over 40. I also hope the show ends after season five. So few shows exit when they're at the top of their game. Where do the brothers go emotionally after they've defeated Lucifer and gone through this horrific estrangement and long drawn out reconciliation? Back to minor monsters of the week? I don't think so. Why are (some) fans anxious for a season six? It's a terrible idea. As for Ostroff, she's full of it. I didn't like trashy "girl" shows when I was in my 20s and I certainly don't like them now.
Reply
8-05-2009 @ 12:00PM
Amanda said...
The reason many fans want Supernatural to continue after season 5 is because they're attached to the fandom and they don't want to face losing connections with the other fans they've met through their involvement with the show. For really involved fans, the end of a show feels very similar to getting dumped by your significant other. It's very unlikely that the cast and crew of Supernatural would end up working together again and for many fans that is the biggest draw of the series.
Reply
8-05-2009 @ 10:27PM
Michelle said...
Seriously, I don't know why everyone calls Supernatural a "guy" show -- I'm a 22 year old female, and I have been a faithful viewer the entire time it was on, and so have so several other of my female friends. And I will admit that the fact that Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan are all absolutely beautiful certainly adds to my love for the show, but I also love the storylines, and the spookiness, and the humor. It's well-written, well-acted, and always entertaining. That said, I find myself divided over the issue of a possible sixth season -- like someone mentioned, seeing the show leave would be like losing someone very dear to me, but on the other hand, I trust in Kripke's vision, and I want the show to go out on a high note that is right for it. And although I admit to being a fan of One Tree Hill and Gossip Girl, I would take Supernatural any day.
Reply
8-21-2009 @ 10:23PM
Rachel said...
NOoooo CW! Don't even THINK of taking Smallville and Supernatural away!!!!
I think it would be a huge mistake...HUGE!!!
They are two THE BEST shows on Network TV and our whole family really looks forward to watching.
age range: 14 - 53
Reply
9-07-2009 @ 1:41PM
Chrystal said...
I really don't like Dawn Ostroff. My family and friends watch Supernatural, with the age range being from 14-46 with both MALES and females.
I think that if she really wants what's best for the network than she should let shows like Supernatural and Smallville decide their own fates- that is, if they're ready to go out on top then let them. (Plus, I'm a little sad to see the regular thursday line-up broken up)
Although I am a HUGE fan of SPN and will probably be heartbroken when it comes to a close, I'd rather see it end on a good note rather then being forced to drag on for years. Especially since one thing that puts Supernatural on top is that it's not just an okay show, it's a great one.
Reply