The CW Gone Wild

TCA PRESS TOUR NOTES:
Goods News, Not So Good News
Entertainment prez Dawn Ostroff revealed the ’07-’08 line-up on Friday and it's a decidedly mixed bag.

The fifth network has a pair of truly promising new shows in the Faust-ian "thrill-omedy" "Reaper" and the exchange student sitcom "Aliens in America," what will likely be a popular show in the dramatic adaptation of the rich-kids-gone-wild series "Gossip Girl" and a "7th Heaven" replacement in the fish-out-of-water family drama "Life Is Wild." "America’s Next Top Model" and "Beauty and the Geek" fans can expect two cycles of both of those “reality” series next year. "BATG" will also add a himbo/female geek team to spice up the proceedings.

Mid-season and beyond are looking a bit, shall we say, questionable however with another round of "The Pussycat Dolls" competition, this time forming an all new girl band called Girlicious--even though first season winner Asia decided to skip actually joining the PCD-- "Farmer Wants a Wife," in which city gals go all "Green Acres" for a Midwestern land nurturer and, most depressing, "Crowned" a mother-daughter beauty pageant that didn’t cover any of the women in the clip in glory.

Other CW tidbits:

"Life Is Wild" will shoot in South Africa and during the panel with the cast, who were via satellite from location, star D.W. Moffett held a lion cub in his lap and a cheetah wandered into the frame. Meow! Also, "Everwood" alert: Stephanie Niznik has been cast as the mom in this show about a family who moves from the big city to a South African game preserve.

Chris Rock will play a guidance counselor in the premiere of "Everybody Hates Chris." This will be the first time that Rock, who narrates this terrific comedy based on his life, will appear on camera.

Clark Kent gets a buddy in Super Girl--who can fly-- this season on "Smallville" played by Laura Vandervoort.

Two new shows, "CW Now" and "Online Nation" will explore trends and entertainment news and user-generated content on the Internet respectively in the net's continuing pursuit of 18-34 year old viewers.

Sean Hayes of "Will and Grace" fame is producing a new sitcom starring Mario Lopez and Christina Milian for mid-season.

Here's a list of CW premiere dates, new shows are in bold:

Tuesday, Sept. 18 "Beauty and the Geek" 8-10 p.m. (Two-Hour Premiere)

Wednesday, Sept. 19 "America’s Next Top Model" 8-10 p.m. (Two-Hour Premiere)

Friday, Sept. 21, "Friday Night Smackdown" 8-10 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 23, 7-7:30 p.m. "CW Now"
7:30-8:00 p.m. "Online Nation"

Tuesday, Sept. 25, "Reaper" 9-10 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 26, "Gossip Girl" 9-10 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 27, "Smallville," 8-9 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 1
"Everybody Hates Chris" 8-8:30 p.m.
"Aliens in America" 8:30-9 p.m.
"Girlfriends" 9-9:30 p.m.
"The Game" 9:30-10 p.m

Thursday, Oct. 4, "Supernatural" 9-10 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 7, "Life is Wild" 8-9 p.m.

The Very Short list of the Not Short actors who came to the CW Party: Reggie Hayes of "Girlfriends," rocking a big 'fro and "The Game" star and Brockton native Pooch Hall stood head and shoulders above the crowd at the Pacific Design Center. And, for reasons unknown, the CW hired a couple on stilts to boogie around at the party and two women in white leotards frolicked inside large plastic bubbles in the fountain. Wild.

Choice Quotes:
"In truth, the only thing I found difficult to deal with coming to the States is the size of the portions of food. Really -- I mean, really, do we need portions that are that big? I mean, Africa doesn't need Bono. Africa doesn't need Geldof. Africa needs a
Denny's grand-slam breakfast." South African-born "Aliens in America" star Adhir Kalyan on adjusting to the U.S.

"Well, I guess you'd have to say Leland Palmer in 'Twin Peaks.'" Ray Wise, who plays the Devil with creepy charisma and twinkle in "Reaper," on his most evil role to date.

"Here's another clue for you all: the walrus was Paulie," "Sopranos" creator David Chase accepting the award for Best Drama at the Television Critics Association dinner Saturday night.

Random Celebrity Sightings Unrelated to TCA: Jane’s Addition/Panic Channel guitarist Dave Navarro taking in the Circus Diablo show at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip Friday night. Shiri Appleby of "Roswell" fame on the flight back to Boston.

Thus ends my adventure in TV land, thanks for watching and thanks again to Matthew and Joanna for their hospitality. See you on the big comfy couch this fall, remote in hand. I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming and my normal timeslot over at "Sound Effects." Happy clicking!

SARAH RODMAN