According to Variety, One Tree Hill has been picked up for a full season, and the CW ordered a back 9 -- of scripts, but not episodes, for The Vampire Diaries. Vampire Diaries has been CW's biggest hit so far this season, and has CW's biggest premiere ever with 4.9 million.
Some might question why CW didn't just pick the show up already? I'm not sure what, if any, negotiation takes place over a back 9 pickup, but the pickup seems a mortal lock regardless. CW gets some time to see how the show fares against a full slate of competition.
Melrose Place got an order for 6 additional scripts:
Then there's "Melrose," which has so far been a disappointment for the Dub. But net execs are still holding out hope for a turnaround - especially once Heather Locklear shows up in November.
Shouldnt One Tree Hill have already been renewed for a full season. I wouldnt expect CW to replace it anytime soon. And Why hasn’t The CW ordered a full season for Vampire Diaries. I guess its the opposite network where you give full seasons to low rated shows and screw around with high rated shows.
Dan, I am not sure there is a should/shouldn’t with OTH. I’m sure there were factors involved with only ordering 13 episodes initially. And when you can buy something with an option rather than making the bigger commitment up front, sometimes its the best way to go.
I am relieved that they only ordered more scripts for Melrose rather than a full season pickup already for fear of the comments such a move would’ve generated!
Yay, more Melrose Place ratings to comment on!
Vampire Diaries makes sense, at least based on the numbers so far. .
Ordering scripts makes sense for MP. It shows a sign of security for those watching the show. Keeps them hoping for a full season so the people who truly like the show won’t jump ship. And if the show continues to bomb even after Locklear comes on then they can stop at 13 and not worry about a back nine and if it improves the scripts are ready to go.
As for VD. I think they should have just ordered the back nine but it makes sense to order scripts only just to make sure they series stays strong.
I figured OTH was a full pick up last May as well. I assume the rest of the returning shows were otherwise, right?
Julia, I think OTH was a special circumstance due in part to producers/cast.
I’m sure GG and 90210 and Supernatural got full season pickups already. Not 100% about Smallville, but I didn’t check…
I just had expected the veteran OTH to already have a full season of 22 episodes. But I guess its no surprise it got one anyway. However Its not a surprise that Melrose and Vampire got additional scripts however. Vampire ratings have been great and Melrose will get more eps because its a remake and CW wouldnt axe a remake that they put soo much money into
Vampire and Melrose will get full years soon. TBL will liekly be axed.
The CW might want to check how VD will hold up this week as it faces stiffer competition with FlashForward premiering. But it’s a lock for a full season renewal sooner or later anyway.
One Tree Hill is a solid performer despite losing two of their lead stars. I’m amazed how that show lasted this long, I remember it was on the bubble before on The WB before the merge.
I hope Smallville on Fridays will hold up as well. I want them to have an announced final season and not “this is maybe” the final season kinda like what Gilmore Girls had (although the de facto series finale was good).
Robert – I’m not sure about Smallville but Its highly likely the series will have a full year (at least if its the final season to give the show a proper finale)
I am pretty sure I read somewhere Smallville has a full season. I can’t find the article so I won’t confirm 100%. For OTH I believe the 13 episodes were ordered to make sure not all fans were jumping ship after the cast changes.
Forg – with Smallville, The CW would like to give it a tenth season but they wouldnt announce it until May a la Gilmore Girls just because they might not be able to work it out. I hope CW just decides soon.
The creators want Supernatural to end after this year but The CW wants it back. I believe these series will return for 10-11
America’s Next Top Model
One Tree Hill
Supernatural
Gossip Girl
90210
Melrose Place
Vampire Diaries
My recollection is that the CW doesn’t have much in the way of mid-Season replacements. Hopefully I’m remembering that correctly?
If that is the case, they may have to extend Melrose Place despite the ratings, unless they can scramble to find something else to air in the Spring.
Some sources say Smallville Season 9 will be the final year others say Smallville may get a tenth year. Only The CW will decide. Hopefully either the creators or The CW gives the show a proper finale. Smallville doesnt have to end though, ratings are still good, as are ratings for other remaining WB/UPN series.
Dan, Personally I think Smallville will get a 10th season. The major actors are already signed for the 10th season so unless the show does EHC and The Game numbers on Friday it will be back for 1 more season.
Personally I think One Tree Hill will end this season. It’s only pulling 2.5 million right now and that won;t improve anytime soon. I think life unexpected will be a surprise hit. Maybe not on VD levels but better then Melrose Place. I don’t see MP getting past this season but I guess it could pull a “Dollhouse.”
AO: They only have Life UneXpected and Blonde Charity Mafia and the flying attendants reality show for midseason.
Dan: Yeah I really hope, Smallville season 9 will not be on the fence for renewal all year long. It would be smart if they will renew that show for 10th and FINAL season so they could make the last season an event for them. Regarless if the quality dipped or not I believe that Smallville should have a proper send-off as it has been huge part of The WB/CW life.
There’s no way the CW lets Smallville end without a proper ending. Not after nine seasons. I think by January the producers will know more or less if this is the final season or not. They will either announce this is the final season to drum up ratings or announce an early pickup for Season 10.
@Eric, 2.5 million viewers puts it ahead of Gossip Girl, 90210, MP, and TBL.
Eric: I hope so too. I was a bit worried for Smallville will suffer the same fates of 7th Heaven and Gilmore Girls that both had messy endings. I love 7th Heaven and the “WB series finale” was okay already as it ended on a high note (ratings wise because the content was so-so but glad to see all camdens in the final episode) then the 11th season was so messy I really wished CW didn’t renew it all. As for Gilmore Girls, well I know CW wanted an 8th season but the deals broke down. Well I just want shows that lasted long to have a proper final season.
The main leads of Supernatural have contracts through season 6, which would be next year — at ComicCon, Kripke said there was no reason a ‘new chapter’ couldn’t start after the current mytharc is resolved, so given the landscape at the moment — I think Supernatural will be back next season.
Have the execs at the CW taken stupid pills. Melrose Place should be canned based in its ratings so far. Are they trying to save face or something. Vampire Diaries should get additional episodes based on the ratings so far.