The CW Fall TV 2012 predictions: 'Supernatural' and 'Vampire Diaries' hold steady
If you're in The CW's coveted 18-34 demo -- or you just watch television like you are -- expect a seriously packed DVR come Fall. The CW has picked up more new series than ever before, and, in fact, more than it can actually fit into its rather limited schedule. Unless the network announces an unprecedented 10 p.m. hour, we can look forward to some great new material at mid-season.
We're expecting The CW to keep up its pattern of plugging established shows into its 8 p.m. hour, to support its newer fare on at 9 p.m. If we ran The CW (which we totally do, in our dreams) this is how it would all play out.
Monday
8 p.m. "Gossip Girl"
9 p.m. "Hart of Dixie"
Don't fix what isn't broken. "Gossip Girl's" final 11 episodes are sure to get a ton of buzz, which may help Rachel Bilson's "Hart of Dixie" build on its existing audience in time for it to slide into an 8 p.m. slot after "Gossip Girl" wraps its abbreviated season.
Tuesday
8 p.m. "90210"
9 p.m. "The Carrie Diaries"
While we considered pairing "The Carrie Diaries," a "Sex and the City" prequel starring AnnaSophia Robb, with "Gossip Girl," we think there may actually be such thing as too much Manhattan couture for one night. Instead, we paired it with "90210." These two shows are easily the network's youngest-skewing dramas, and the colorful glam of '80s NYC will pair nicely with the most famous zip.
Wednesday
8 p.m. "America's Next Top Model"
9 p.m. "Beauty and the Beast"
Okay, so here's the thing -- Wednesday at 9 p.m. on The CW is a death slot. Typically, shows that start out in this position crash and burn. Though the pairing of "Top Model" and "Beauty and the Beast" may not entirely make sense, "Beauty" is a procedural. Because it's so easy to jump into at various points in the story, it could potentially capitalize on the casual "Top Model" viewership.
Thursday
8 p.m. "The Vampire Diaries"
9 p.m. "Arrow"
The post-"Vampire Diaries" slot is the most valuable real estate for a new CW show because it provides the strongest lead-in. We're guessing that The CW will put its buzziest drama there, which is certainly "Arrow." It helps that its star, Stephen Amell, had a recurring role on "TVD" in Season 2. The gritty, dark superhero will without a doubt appeal to fans of Damon Salvatore.
Friday
8 p.m. "Nikita"
9 p.m. "Supernatural"
Again, it isn't broken. "Nikita's" ratings in this spot haven't been great, but they have been consistent, which is important for the small network. Jensen Ackles and Jared Padalecki will die of old age before "Supernatural" is rolled out of that Friday at 9 hour.
Mid-Season: "Cult" is probably a mid-season replacement. We could see it plugged in with "Supernatural" on Fridays if "Nikita" has a shorter season, but since launching a new show on Friday doesn't generally go well, it'll more likely premiere post-"Vampire Diaries" after "Arrow's" first 13 episodes are up. It works particularly well given that its leading man, Matt Davis, is a "Vampire" alum.
"First Cut," which is best described as a CW-ized version of "Grey's Anatomy," will find a place on Mondays alongside "Hart of Dixie," after "Gossip Girl" logs on for a final time.
