TV Critic Matt Roush weighs in
Question: What’s your take on the CW, now that it’s almost done with its first month of sweeps? Practically every show is down from its ratings last season (except America’s Next Top Model, I believe), but this was expected. People are still finding CW channels in their homes, and some ignorant people I talk to haven’t even heard of it. Do you think Dawn Ostroff is pleased? I wasn’t surprised to see Runaway chased out, but The Game’s pickup wasn’t expected. I guess they couldn’t admit both of their newbies failed. Gilmore Girls, though still one of the top-rated dramas, is about a million viewers below last year and is getting beat by Smallville. And as far as dramas go, Supernatural has the best retention rate. Do you think any of the CW’s shows will not make it through this season?— Sonya
Matt Roush: This is all pretty much uncharted territory for a network like the CW, which is trying to establish itself in a very cluttered and confusing media environment, so I’m generally reserving judgment during its first season. There are even isolated markets where there are no CW affiliates (or so I’ve been told by some frustrated consumers out there), and growing pains are inevitable for a startup, even one with so many preexisting franchises. Several of the shows will probably take breathers in the winter and spring (including, as previously mentioned, Veronica Mars) to make room for some new shows, as well as for short-run reality franchises, like Beauty and the Geek. But I’d be surprised if any of the existing CW shows were yanked before the season is out. Now, when it comes to renewals for the CW’s second year: That oughta get interesting.
Matt Roush, TV Guide, Gilmore Girls, The CW
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