CW renews 'Smallville,' 'Gossip,' '90210,' more

By Nellie Andreeva, at THR:

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, and returning midseason show "Reaper." 

Comments

[Heradite]

Plus the main star of One Tree Hill has yet to sign on for the new season. He is likely to...but it'd be interesting if he didn't.

[Marie]

Has the Tom Welling signing been definitely confirmed? Nobody else has confirmed that part and I've been very anxious. The producers have hinted that they'd be willing to do a Season 9 without their star and the center of their show. A Smallville without Clark Kent sounds crazy, but that's what they've hinted at. A confirmation of a Welling signing would put a lot of people at ease.

[Matthew Alvarez]

What about EveryBody Hates Chris, The Game, Stylista, and 13: Fear Is Real?

[Tony]

I don't think Chris is coming back because it has enough episodes for syndication right? It's ratings are horrible. I see no comedies on the CW pilot list though. Can they really not pick up any sitcoms if they dump Chris and The Game? What are the plans for Sunday next year? Are they going to try to program that night again? It would leave several slots open for new and returning shows. I would guess they are picking up the Melrose Place show, The Gossip Girl spinoff and The Vampire Diaries to continue on the female 18--34 demo they desire. I think that would leave one/two slots open (depending on if any of those renewed get full season orders or just 13 episodes ala Reaper).

Reaper has a chance to do well now. If it even holds steady of it's ratings last season against American Idol it will be picked up for at least 13 episodes. Not a lot of room on the schedule though.

[Matthew Alvarez]

What about 13: Fear Is Real, Stylista and Previleged?

[TG]

CW stands for Channel is White. They want to whitewater the network and not put up any urban shows at all. As for everybody hates Chris, that has been canceled as well and Reaper should be renewed on principle because it's not an angst/emo whiny tween show.