How to Save the CW

At the beginning of every fall television season, Entertainment Weekly publishes their perfect week of television, including what to DVR and when to re-watch it. Around that same time, I make my own weekly viewing list, including what to watch and what to DVR. In light of the national economic crisis, and my deciding to quit some old TV favorites with declining story quality, I decided to revisit the list and re-evaluate my need for DVR. After all, most shows are now easily accessible on-line. What I found was quite surprising, and not because it proved I no longer really need a DVR subscription. It turns out my most watched network by a virtual landslide is the CW.

I was a teen during the rise and fall of the WB. The only show I really watched on now defunct UPN was Veronica Mars. Now in my mid-twenties, I was a little surprised to learn that the hybrid network had somehow become my primetime homepage. In fact, I'd probably rate Gossip Girl as one of my top ten TV shows of all time. As an apparent loyal viewer, I feel it's my duty to voice my opinion and let network exec Dawn Ostroff know I want her to succeed. I want my favorite shows back next season. I want to see the great pilots developed for fall. Most importantly, I want other people to see them too!

In an age of cable and on-line viewer-ship, not to mention the DVR and Tivo playback community, ratings aren't always what they same. But, there's something to be said for the amount of people who watch Damages week to week not always outweighing the amount that tune in for 90210. In many ways the CW can be very favorably compared to a cable network. When you look at all network program slates side by side, it's hard not to notice how many creative risks the CW is willing to take in comparison; you won't find one doctor/lawyer drama on their schedule, let alone several incarnations and same-titled spin-offs (see: Law & Order, CSI). So, it is with deep affection and admiration that I write the following.

Dear Dawn, you may or may not remember me from the "Save Veronica Mars" campaign of 2007. We exchanged, well mostly I sent, several letters and postcards. Although network up front presentations aren't for another month or so, but I've already drawn up a potential fall season line-up for you, with some accompanying notes. All programming starts at the 8 or 9 PM hours, considering most affiliates airs syndicated talk shows prior to that time and a 10 PM newscast after.

Sundays: Privileged, Melrose

The 8:00 PM hour on Sunday is perpetually lacking in quality programming, unless you're a die-hard viewer of the Simpsons. If you're hoping to capture the female teen demographic, this is a great place to start. Up until now you've mostly used this timeslot for programs that were doomed before they started (Valentine) or the all-important encore presentation of a hit (One Tree Hill, America's Next Top Model). Critical darling Priveleged seems like a great fit considering most of the over 30 crowd are glued to ABC at this time. In development series Melrose, an update of the 90210 spin-off Melrose Place, might make an excellent contender to follow as a younger, edgier opponent for one of the most watched shows on TV.

Mondays: Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill

Don't fix something that isn't broken. I'll admit, I haven't watched One Tree Hill regularly in a few years, but I know half a dozen female viewers that never miss it. And Gossip Girl has become one of the event programs for both high school and college students, with some cross over appeal available.

Tuesdays: 90210, untitled Gossip Girl spin-off

Again, 90210 seems like it's working around this timeslot. The new Brittany Snow series focusing on the early days of Serena's mom Lily, which seems like the surest bet of any network pilot at this point, could make a nice companion. It'll be fun to see the contrast between high school in the 80s and today.

Wednesdays: ANTM, The Vampire Diaries

Top Model is the only reality show that's been able to make a lasting impression on this network. It's also, debatably, the highest profile show on the network. It's been anchored in this timeslot since the CW was commissioned, so it's almost a tradition for friends to gather around and judge Tyra's new crop of high fashion hopefuls. Following hot on the footsteps of Twilight, many networks are looking to develop a teen vampire series. It seems only fitting that a network built on two of the longest running supernatural shows in history looks poised to have the best chance at making one work. Based on a mid-90s book series of the same name, The Vampire Diaries seems a sure bet for the fall schedule, and may be just enough fantasy to balance out the reality of its lead-in. An abbreviated season of fan-followed Reaper could be looked at as a nice hiatus program in between Model cycles, making this one of the potentially more male friendly nights.

Thursdays: Smallville, Supernatural

Another night of tradition on the CW. Returning for an unexpected ninth season, Smallville picked up a second wind after it's fifth, where Clark Kent began interacting with more characters from the comic book world, including series regular Green Arrow (Justin Hartley). Your network's tried a few times (Birds of Prey, Aquaman, defunct Graysons) to duplicate the success of Smallville, which has more superhero action in one episode than the entirety of Superman Returns showed us on the big screen. Eric Kripke's surprisingly engaging (seriously, give it a chance) Supernatural looks to start its alleged last season this fall. Kripke reportedly envisioned the show as a five-season arc and hopes to wrap up the adventures of the brothers Winchester next year.

Fridays: CW Night at the Movies

Known universally as the place a series goes to die, I'm not shocked your comedies aren't doing so well here. With many of them not expected to return, here might be a good place to air some syndicated movies with teen themes. I was thinking along the lines of Cruel Intentions and Clueless as nights of event television for those staying in with friends. Throw in a celebrity host from your image campaign and you might have a surprising hit. This might also be a great place to showcase any pilots that haven't made it to series; I remember the WB did something similar with Chad Michael Murray's unused Lone Ranger pilot. Sometimes a book or script doesn't always provide enough material for an entire series run, and, if cable has taught us anything, it's that made for TV movies can draw people in. If you're looking to expand, this might be just the problem solver for the most lacking night on television.

Saturdays: Syndicated (Legend of the Seeker, reruns)

I believe most affiliates are airing the syndicated Sam Raimi produced Legend of the Seeker in this time slot with some level of success. If no other syndicated programming is made available, it could be useful to showcase the much-loved encores of a fan favorite series in this timeslot.

In closing, I want to thank you, Ms. Ostroff for your time and consideration. These notes come from your devoted viewer. I hope they have been insightful and, if nothing else, help you find a strategy to make your network even more successful.

P.S., if you're really a big fan, I'd love a job.