It’s all about the upfront presentations this week on the Web. And in case you’re wondering, they’re called “upfronts” because the main purpose of these much-talked-about presentations by TV networks is to allow marketers to buy television commercial airtime “up front,” or several months before the television season begins. Read more about it over at Wikipedia.
Over at The CW, they’re sticking with the tried-and-true formula of beautiful, 20-something teenage protagonists in exotic and/or supernatural settings. But clearly, the network isn’t just for teens, because I know plenty of other grownups who are fangirls like myself. It’s great escapist fare.
Not sure about fanboys. I don’t know any of those for The CW shows, but that doesn’t mean they’re not out there.
Along with old favorites “The Vampire Diaries,” “Supernatural,” and “America’s Next Top Model,” and new-ish favorites “Arrow,” “Hart of Dixie,” The Carrie Diaries” (yay! It made it to season two!), and “Beauty and the Beast” (ditto!), we’ve got several brand new shows hitting the screen this fall and winter.
Let’s take a look at the new shows, and below that is the The CW’s Fall 2013 schedule:
“The Originals” – I liked what I saw in the crossover pilot that aired a couple weeks ago on “The Vampire Diaries.” The show follows Klaus (played by the amazing Joseph Morgan, whom I’m in love with) and his family of original vampires (yes, the very first vampires ever – whee!). Sex, intrigue and New Orleans voodoo make this a must-see in my book.
One complaint is that we’ll miss Klaus, Rebekah and Elijah on “The Vampire Diaries,” but it’ll be a nice transition for when TVD leaves the airwaves (sigh). I’m guessing we might see Caroline head down to New Orleans at some point.
“The Tomorrow People” – This is a remake of a British children’s TV show that ran between 1973 and 1979 (a time when most viewers of the new CW show likely weren’t even alive).
The story follows several young people from around the world who represent the next stage in human evolution. Not unlike the X-Men franchise, they possess special powers, including the ability to teleport and communicate with each other telepathically. Together (but of course), they work to defeat the forces of evil.
Stars include Robbie Amell (cousin to “Arrow’s” leading hero Stephen Amell), Luke Mitchell, Peyton List, Mark Pellegrino, Aaron Yoo, and Madeleine Mantock.
“Reign” – This soapy, sexy show follows 15-year-old Mary Queen of Scots as she’s sent to France to be married off to a young prince. Instead, she finds a handsome young man who has no intention of actually tying the knot, not to mention plenty of danger. Think “The Tudors” for the younger set.
I love the theme of a strong female heroine, and from what I’ve seen of Adelaide Kane, who plays Mary, she’s got the goods to pull it off. The show also stars Ashley Charles, Torrance Coombs, Megan Follows, Jenessa Grant, Jordan Lee, Anna Popplewell, and Toby Regbo.
“Star-Crossed” – Matt Lanter makes a speedy return to TV right after both of his beloved shows — “90210” and “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” – ended. As a bonus, he’s returning as a sci-fi hunk in a live-action show.
This midseason show features Lanter as a teen alien who suffers persecution as a child but makes it to his high school just in time to participate in a program aimed at integrating the alien population with humans. Throw in love interest Aimee Teegarden of “Friday Night Lights” and it’s a match made in alien heaven.
“The 100” – Here’s another sci-fi show, and this one has drawn comparisons to “The Hunger Games,” as well as “Battle Royale,” the Japanese movie that film nerds claim was the inspiration for “The Hunger Games.”
In the future, a space society expels its juvenile delinquents to Earth as guinea pigs intended to assess the inhabitable nature of the nuclear-ravaged planet and deal with radioactive deer, new enemies, and violence between the young criminals themselves. Think “Lord of the Flies” with an alien twist.
Henry Ian Cusick, Eli Goree, Richard Harmon, Kelly Hu, Thomas McDonell, and Paige Turco are among the stars.
Here’s The CW’s Fall 2013 Schedule:
MONDAY
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Hart of Dixie (new night)
9 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Beauty and the Beast (new night)
TUESDAY
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.: The Originals (new series)
9 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Supernatural (new night)
WEDNESDAY
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.: Arrow
9 p.m. – 10 p.m.: The Tomorrow People (new series)
THURSDAY
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.: The Vampire Diaries
9 p.m. – 10 p.m.: Reign (new series)
FRIDAY
8 p.m. – 9 p.m.: The Carrie Diaries (new night)
9 p.m. – 10 p.m.: America’s Next Top Model
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