Who’d have thought that a project called GOSSIP GIRL would quickly become the least talked about new series on the CW’s fall 2007 slate. While the show, from OC creator Josh Schwartz definitely looks to be a winner — after-all, who doesn’t love glitzy New York socialites and OC levels of melodrama — the real talked about shows were some of the CW’s more offbeat and original offerings.
Namely, ALIENS IN AMERICA. Now I know what you’re thinking — EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS aside, ‘funny’ and the CW are two words that don’t generally go together. Well, if the reaction from the UpFront audience was any indication, the CW may have its first bona-fide comedic hit on its hands (translation: people actually laughed).
ALIENS IN AMERICA tells the story of Justin Tolchuk, a sensitive 16-year-old just trying to make it through the social nightmare that is high school. Realizing that her son needs a friend, Justin’s mom signs the family up for the school’s international student exchange program. Needless to say, if BORAT taught us anything, it’s that America loves its foreigners. Come fall 2007, the next big CW star is going to be a 16-year-old Pakistani Muslin named Raja.
Moving away from comedy comes LIFE IS WILD, a family drama that sounds a touch familiar. When the wife of a heart surgeon veterinarian dies, father Andy Danny drags his entire blended family out of New York city to spend a year living in Everwood Colorado South Africa. Berlanti levels of drama, lush African scenery and adorable lion cubs means we’re willing to give the show a try. As long as the family’s last name doesn’t happen to be ‘Camden.’
Finally, there’s REAPER. And no, the title doesn’t refer to the fact that the hour long comedy/action/drama hybrid just killed off VERONICA MARS. REAPER is exactly what twenty-one year old Sam (Bret Harrison, THE LOOP) discovers he is when Satan shows up at his door and informs him that his parents sold his soul to the devil before he was born. Turns out, it’s payback time and Sam must spend the rest of his life capturing hell’s escapees on earth. One part BUFFY, one part SUPERNATURAL, REAPER looks to be a winner. And no, I’m not just saying that because Satan told me to. 