How Would You Fix The CW?
All of us here at CW Source Central have been poring over this article in the New York Times, which contemplates various ways to fix the network. The CW suffered a lot from the writer’s strike, and it hasn’t bounced back as well as we’d like. And while we don’t agree with everything the network does, it is the home of some of our favorite shows, so we’re all about wanting it to stick around.
The article brought up some great suggestions – and some we’re not as thrilled with. Here’s our take on some of the hot-button ideas:
Great!
“Keep taking risks on unique, quality shows.” We’d nominate Supernatural and Gossip Girl as just two of the shows that make the CW great. Keep these shows going – and put more money and promotional muscle behind them!
“No summer vacation.” We’re all for it. TV is changing, and the summer reruns season doesn’t work anymore. The network tried with Hidden Palms last summer, and will be launching 13 this summer. Not all summer shows will work, but hey, it’s worth a try.
“Cash advance.” Oh hell yeah. The CW is still small and struggling, but it’s got behemoth corporate parents. If they had more cash, maybe Gilmore Girls and Everwood would still be around!
Maybe …
“Start recycling.” We’re torn on this. We’re really looking forward to the revamped Beverly Hills 90210, but we don’t think the network should recycle just anything. The article suggests the CW think about the success of “American Gladiators” and “Knight Rider” retreads. Oy. If the CW is digging that deep, we’ll pass.
“Quit being polite.” Again, we’re torn. We love that Gossip Girl is a racy show, but we weren’t thrilled with the “Sex! Girls! Sex!” promos the network used to relaunch the season. That’s trying too hard, and it actually takes away form some of the nuance of the show. Likewise, we cringed at this thought: “During its 1990s growth phase, Fox would beat up a hobo for a ratings point. The CW needs that sort of anything-goes urgency.” We’re all for urgency, but we’ll pass on the bum fights.
Aieeeeeeee!
“Real popular or real shocking.” The article touts the shock-factor of “Fox’s Moment of Truth,” and says the CW should channel that. Yikes… Look, we get that reality shows are a fact of life in today’s TV world. But do they really think going for a least-common-denominator shocker will lift the network? We hope it doesn’t come to that.
What do you think of the ideas? What would you suggest to strengthen the CW? What do you want to see? Tell all in the comments!
Comments
Have you forgotten about the best real and awesome show on TV!Charmed could be brought back without adverse changes they wanted
make when they ended it a few years ago,alot of the story line was great they just need to find that same creative mind and writing that they had when it was at its peak.....
Posted by: Will T. | July 3, 2008 2:18 AM
I have enjoyed The CW's programming diversity (though, admittedly, not enough shows "worked" in the end).
I'm concerned about the seeming all-young-female approach this fall. Is it TOO niched? Maybe I'll check in with the folks in Smallville, and I'll probably watch Supernatural. But the rest of the week chases me aways completely (I did like Reaper, and could tolerate BATG). I think The CW simply needs to not overreact to a few failures, and to continue to act like a "real" network -- find the fresh new "hit" -- whatever the genre, and whatever the target audience. Don't reject the next CSI or House just because it's not for 12-24 y.o. females.
Posted by: SteveR | June 30, 2008 1:56 PM
I would have more real shows and less reality T.V.
Posted by: Ashley | May 2, 2008 3:38 PM