TVSquad

(S01E18) "Surprisingly perceptive for a bunch of clowns with pitchforks." - The Devil

I think my favorite part of the opening scene was the look on Tony's face when he saw Sam avoid the washing machine. It was the disappointed look most people get when a politician they voted for gets caught taking payoffs. The look that says, "I pretty much knew it but I never had the proof."

When Ken Marino and Michael Ian Black were added to the cast I had mixed feelings. While I really enjoy Marino, I was never a big fan of Black. Luckily for me, that problem was solved by the devil himself. Not only is Marino hilarious in his role, his character has allowed Reaper to explore elements of the show that would have seemed forced otherwise.

Gallery: Reaper Finale

(S01E17) All things considered, this has been a pretty good week for Reaper. In light of the very real possibility that next week's season finale could have been a series finale, news that the show has been picked up for next season is cause for celebration. Sure, the thirteen episodes for mid-season part isn't ideal, but hey, gift horses and whatnot. I am already looking forward to a Reaper/Supernatural block on Thursday nights. And hey, there was a new episode too. There was a lot going on, but the big news was that after months of patience, there is finally some news on the contract. That, and the rest of the episode, after the jump.

Gallery: Reaper

We told you recently about Reaper star Bret Harrison's blog posting about sending your socks to The CW, to get them to renew the devil comedy, which is "on the bubble." Now it looks like those socks might be going to the wrong place.

On her TV Guide blog, Valarie Rae Miller discloses that a lot of socks that viewers have sent in have actually gone to the old WB offices! As she puts it, "no one will see them but some security guard and an unhappy mail carrier." She also gives the correct address to send your socks to:

(S01E15) "I'm going to rebuild the army... Pass the paprika." - Tony

Finally, the season-long game of Sam trying to hide his demon hunting gig from Andi comes to a head. It was a welcome event in my little corner of TV land. I had taken issue with their relationship early in the season as it started to feel like we were in a rut and watching the same scene play out over and over. These last two weeks with the two of them together have done a lot to repair that chink in the Reaper armor. But wait, would finding out about Sam's special gift send us right back into that old familiar loop? Ours is not to spoil above the fold, so read on for thoughts on that, and a boatload of other goings on down by the 'Bench.

Gallery: Reaper

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.

(S01E14) "You don't like banana splits? What are you some kind of a commie?" - Jerry

You know if any other show had written themselves into a corner the way Reaper did, they'd have a problem. Last episode they escalated Sam & Andi's relationship but, of course, by doing so, they revealed too much of Sam's secret to Andi. When that kind of thing happens on a show, it's usually the beginning of the end. We all know that if Andi ever joins Sam's band of demon hunters, the show will suffer. So what's the answer? Does he confess everything? Does she sneak around and try to catch Sam in the act? Does Andi come down with that disease we only see on TV, Convenient Amnesia? Luckily, this kind of thing isn't a problem for Reaper. All they have to do is slip a guy some cash, tell her a lie and the problem is solved. I love watching a show whose main characters have lower moral standards than my own.

(S01E09) "I feel like the weirdest drug dealer of all time." -- Bert "Sock" Wysocki

If there were a country populated by MILFs, Julie Cooper would be the President. I never realized how much I missed Melinda Clarke until tonight. She must have a great time running down her resume for people..."I've played a dominatrix, a scheming predator of high school boys and the devil's girlfriend."

(S01E06) Since Reaper made its debut, there has been a nagging question. It's great and all, but how is it going to hold up over time? The random soul to catch each week is fun, and they have done a good job with that so far, but it's not enough to sustain the show over the long term. The writers made some good strides last week introducing the subplot with Pa Oliver and the contract. And then they took a step backwards this week by resetting the Sam and Andi relationship.

That's not to say that this was a bad episode by any stretch. There was a lot to like this week. As we move through the season though, the bigger picture story is going to become more and more important. We're better than a quarter of the way through the season now, so it's worth bringing up some of those questions. The characters are introduced and we have a good feel for all the major players. It's time to make with some revelations.

Gallery: Reaper

TV networks come up with a lot of different ways to promote a new show. Print ads, web sites, billboards, promotional clothing and mousepads. And now The CW has another idea: a drink based on the new comedy/supernatural show Reaper.

Of course, it's not just the drink, it's the mega-promotion going along with it. Starting on September 3, the network will have two bars in the top 10 markets for the show not only serving the drink but also showing various clips from the show on their television sets. There will also be someone from the network there to hand out other goodies to the fans/drunks. The promotion will run throughout the month. Full recipe after the jump!

The CW's got some funny sitcoms both old (Everybody Hates Chris) and new (Aliens in America -- more on that later), but the network's funniest asset is Paul McGuire, executive vice president, network communications.

Before introducing Dawn Ostroff, president entertainment, The CW, McGuire fires off some zingers to get the reporters up and running.

Of the recycled tote bags that The CW gave to the press (perfect for hauling all our cable swag home), McGuire quips, "They're made entirely from recycled billboards, including some from Hidden Palms -- or as some dirt bag reporter called it -- 'Hidden Ratings.'"