Smallville = Season 9

[KBX]

http://www.tvweek.com/news/2009/02/cw_signals_its_sticking_around.php

CW Signals It’s Sticking Around by Renewing 6 Series

By Josef Adalian

In the clearest sign yet that The CW will live to fight another season, the network has given early renewals to a half-dozen existing series, including Superman drama “Smallville.”

The CW President Dawn Ostroff began telephoning executives at Warner Bros. Television and CBS Paramount Network Television about the decision Tuesday morning. The network could announce the news as early as this afternoon.

In addition to “Smallville,” the series renewed for next season are “Gossip Girl,” “90210,” “America’s Next Top Model” (cycles 13 and 14), “One Tree Hill” and “Supernatural.” While the solid ratings for all six shows made pickups likely, the renewals were not all foregone conclusions.

In the case of “Smallville,” producer Warner Bros. Television had been negotiating with series star Tom Welling to return. The CW’s renewal indicates the studio was successful in those conversations.

There also had been a question of whether The CW itself would survive for another season. In recent months, however, it’s become increasingly clear that the network has moved to more solid ground.

The network has had a decent 2008-09 season, with the successful launch of “90210” and the strong pairing of “Gossip Girl” and “One Tree Hill” on Monday nights. All three shows have posted double-digit Nielsen gains compared to their timeslot averages last season.

The CW also has had success building its brand as a destination for young female viewers.

With six tentpole series renewed for next season, there aren’t that many holes in The CW’s 2009-10 schedule left to be filled. What’s more, two projects currently in development—a reimagination of “Melrose Place” and the “Gossip Girl” prequel “Lily”—are very likely to land series orders for next season, making it even more difficult for new shows to get on the air.

Nonetheless, The CW has an active development slate beyond “Melrose” and “Lily.” Two buzzworthy projects in the works include “Vampire Diaries” and “Light Years.” The CW also just picked up drama “The Beautiful Life.”

Shows on the bubble at The CW include “Reaper,” “Privileged,” “The Game” and “Everybody Hates Chris.” The latter series, which has already filmed enough episodes for syndication, is considered a long shot to return.

It’s also unclear what direction The CW will move on Friday and Sunday nights next fall, although both nights could provide logical homes for new programming. It’s unlikely, however, that The CW will program a full night of first-run scripted fare on Sundays.

discuss...

 

[KBX]

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ieda4f2f47125746dd1f1a3b308132783

CW renews six series

'Smallville' to continue with Tom Welling

By Nellie Andreeva
Feb 24, 2009, 04:02 PM ET


The CW has handed out early pickups to six series -- “Gossip Girl,” “One Tree Hill, “90210,” the Thursday combo of “Smallville” and “Supernatural,” and the reality hit “America’s Next Top Model,” which has been greenlighted for cycles 13 and 14.

All will return in the fall.

The ninth season renewal for “Smallville” came after producing studio Warner Bros TV was able to secure a new deal with star Tom Welling.

Two of the show’s showrunners, Darren Swimmer and Todd Slavkin, are off to the CW’s “Melrose Place” pilot. If it’s picked up to series, “Smallville” will be steered by the two remaining showrunners, Kelly Sounders and Brian Peterson.

Last fall, WBTV signed “Hill” creator/exec producer/showrunner Mark Schwahn for another season on the show.

“As we continue to build The CW Network as a destination for young women, these six shows have clearly contributed to strengthening our schedule and our brand identity,” the CW entertainment president Dawn Ostroff said.

Left on the bubble is freshman drama “Privileged,” which has developed a strong fan base but has been a modest ratings performer.

 

[O'Haire]

Supernatural coming back is all I care about.

 

[KBX]

Oh yeah, other than Smallville, Supernatural is the only show worth anything on that network....

 

[TheComicbookKid]

Good Lord?

 

[Brainiac 8]

Very good news.

As Smallville is one of the two shows I actually care about and watch on TV (The other being Eureka) this news makes me very happy.

 

[KBX]

The funny thing is, there is no mention that season 9 is its last.... Imagine come half-way through the season, their discussing a season 10....... heh

I want to know the details of Toms contract!!!!!

 

[Prison Mike]

season 9 HAS to be it though. I mean seriously, Welling is way into his 30s and still playing 22-23 year old guy...

 

[louiebling$]

Maybe Welling will finally don The suit

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

I know the show needs to end, but it's become like my wubby and I'm comforted knowing it will be around another season.

 

[Zorex]

Haha, cute, Hulk.

I'm not surprised it was renewed (after all the talk preceding it), but I am surprised that the show has gone on this long. I can't really see how they'd do a season 10, but, then again, I was surprised to see it make it to a season 8.

 

[TwilightPro101]

Glad to hear another renewal happening. Eager to see where things go from here.

 

[adam-red]

I like it and was hoping it'd end on a high actually. American series do tend to last too long and go down the toilet

 

[Lane & Kent]

This is great news but I hope they don't bring Kara back

 

[mellyM]

season 9 HAS to be it though. I mean seriously, Welling is way into his 30s and still playing 22-23 year old guy...

He's 31, lol...and if they treat next season like the last, then maybe things will be even tighter.

 

[LostSon88]

I'm one of the original fans of the show and yet...

why am I not excited about this?

 

[Mikelus]

Well, hope they make clear S9 is the last one, is just ridiculous how they keep stalling Clark from becoming Superman and who knows if they're going to do the same thing with Davis, we'll see.

 

[TwilightPro101]

He's 31, lol...and if they treat next season like the last, then maybe things will be even tighter.

Think the same.

 

[dsfjr1190]

I hope Erica Durance finally gets the full 22 episodes for the likely final season.

If both Smallville and Supernatural end next year I can finally be free of the CW!

 

[Sam Fisher]

Very good news!



Now if they were to do a S10....

 

[LostSon88]

Well, hope they make clear S9 is the last one, is just ridiculous how they keep stalling Clark from becoming Superman and who knows if they're going to do the same thing with Davis, we'll see.

Well according to k-site, rumor has it they're looking to hire a wrestler to play "Doomsday" for S9. Which suggests that sometime this season Davis will make a full blown transformation into DD.

And I think you're right about why I may not be excited for S9...because its simply just another long season of teasing.

Seriously, I started watching this show to see Clark become Superman...you'd think after 8 years it'd have happened by now.

 

[dsfjr1190]

Hopefully the wrestler is just the monster and doesn't play the human character...

 

[barnface]

I'm one of the original fans of the show and yet...

why am I not excited about this?

You and I both, friend.

Be honest here people....this season should have been the last. I CAN NOT imagine what they could possibly come up with as to why he hasn't donned the tights and cape by next season.

 

[Poetic Chaos]

When you have a season about to end with a Justice League vs. Baddie Team that includes Doomsday, you gotta wonder where they can take it that would raise the stakes.

 

[Gold Samurai]

Hopefully the wrestler is just the monster and doesn't play the human character...

Miickey Rourke's guest starring?