Supernatural article at EW.com

[agt_spooky]

Did anyone post this over the weekend? I didn't see it anywhere. It's from Entertainment Weekly's website. (FYI - I removed the Smallville spoiler at the beginning of the article so I could put this outside a cut)

The CW's identity crisis: Are 'Supernatural' and 'Smallville' better than 'Gossip Girl' and '90210'?
by Ken Tucker

I kept seeing commercials for new March episodes of Melrose Place and 90210 and Gossip Girl and Life Unexpected. I have a soft spot for the lovably twee Life, but it’s not really amounting to much. As for the rest: blechh. Seeing all that promotional posing and pouting, I thought, I’ve pretty much had it with the CW’s cool-hip brigade. And that so includes One Tree Hill.

The CW has never had huge ratings, and it’s struggled to establish its brand identity. So here’s an idea. Why not rededicate itself to being the home of Supernatural, Smallville, and Vampire Diaries (its best cool-hip show primarily because its cool-hip is enlivened by its fantasy element), and develop more shows in this genre?

I know the business counter-argument to this: the network can assert that it gets more ad dollars by dangling youth and beauty. That Leighton Meester makes more of an impact in the media than Jensen Ackles.

But I don’t write a business column; I advocate for what’s interesting to watch. And at this point in their respective histories, I am certain that Supernatural is more fun to follow than Gossip Girl is, and I know that the people who are doing amusing variations on the Superman mythology in Smallville are giving us better entertainment than the talented folks who are trying heroically to breathe life into the wheezing 90210 legacy.

Am I wrong?

~~~~

You're not wrong, Ken! I agree with you wholeheartedly. I mean, can't the CW look at it's own ratings week to week and realize that VD, SPN and SV are always at the top of the pile? Why keep forcing all this teen-angst-drama-who's sleeping with who this week crap down our throats when you've got a formula that's working. And that draws in the female audience you're looking for. I just don't understand what Ostroff is thinking.

And if they DID give Jensen (and Jared) some press time, they'd see our two boys are as big a draw as Leighton Meester is.

What do you guys think? Thoughts? Opinions?

Comments

[morganslady.livejournal.com]

They've never pomoted SPN.. They seem to love the teen angst crap,I'd love to know the behind the sceens stuff with that..

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

I think Ostroff still hates the fact that she inherited SPN from the WB when the two networks merged and it's been successful whereas HER show, Reaper, quickly died. So she'd just as soon ignore SPN.

[hezio2.livejournal.com]

DUH!
I totally agree with you. I don't understand how that network is still functioning. w/o SPN I'd never watch it.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

If both SPN and SV have their final seasons next year, what do you want to bet the network WILL stop functioning?

[gaelicspirit.livejournal.com]

Who's Leighton Meester?

Sounds like a character from a Dr. Seuss book.

SPN is the only show I watch on the CW and I heap praises upon my DVR because if I start watching about 15 minutes into the show, I can skip past all of those (freakin' annoying) promos for the other shows.

If they had any sort of finger on the pulse of their audience base, they would be putting as much Jensen Ackles and Jared Padelecki as they could in their network promos.

I miss the WB. At least with them we got a little "scary just got sexy" buzz.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Who's Leighton Meester?
Sounds like a character from a Dr. Seuss book.

ROTFL! That was priceless! I nearly choked on my water. :-)

SPN is the only show I watch on the CW

For me it's SPN and Smallville, because I'm apparently a glutton for punishment when it comes to that one. *g*

and I heap praises upon my DVR because if I start watching about 15 minutes into the show, I can skip past all of those (freakin' annoying) promos for the other shows.

Thank you! Same here! And I know for a fact that CW advertises that crap out of every show BUT Supernatural during Smallville, so I'm sure SPN is ignored during 90210 and Gossip Girl.

If they had any sort of finger on the pulse of their audience base, they would be putting as much Jensen Ackles and Jared Padelecki as they could in their network promos.

I know, right?? If the CW is so set on capturing a female audience for their network, putting two incredibly gorgeous boys like Jensen and Jared front and center would accomplish their goal in a heartbeat. Instead we get those hideous looking men on Gossip Girl. [shudder]

I miss the WB. At least with them we got a little "scary just got sexy" buzz.

God, I miss them, too. Back when SPN was on Tuesday nights and pulling in over 5 million AND advertisements to boot.

[seesmooshrun.livejournal.com]

Bummer, gaelic took all my good comments. But The CW seriously needs to get a clue.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more. They need to stop sinking all that ad money into shows that will never amount to anything and focus on the shows that have the potential to be huge if given just a little help, just like SPN.

[queeberquabbler.livejournal.com]

Ken Tucker has redeemed himself for me now (Havenn't forgiven him for something he said years ago, and no, i don't want to talka bout it cuz it gets me SO MAD). The CW needs to wake up and start promoting it's GOOD shows, like Supernatural. I hope the powers that be read that article and think "say, that's true!" and change their ways. Won't happen, but a girl can dream.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

The CW needs to wake up and start promoting it's GOOD shows, like Supernatural.

Exactly. Stop sinking all that ad money into shows that will never amount to anything and focus on the shows that have the potential to be huge if given just a little help, just like SPN.

I hope the powers that be read that article and think "say, that's true!" and change their ways. Won't happen, but a girl can dream.

Ostroff is just too oblivious, unfortunately. :-(

[daniel-shadow.livejournal.com]

It is a shame that SPN got next to no promo at all. CW has put all their money into soap rubbish which no one has got any interest into watching.

They should get a hint at how Living Channel has promoted the show in such fun and creative ways.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

CW has put all their money into soap rubbish which no one has got any interest into watching.

Exactly. Stop sinking all that ad money into shows that will never amount to anything and focus on the shows that have the potential to be huge if given just a little help, just like SPN.

They should get a hint at how Living Channel has promoted the show in such fun and creative ways.

OMG, yes! Freakin' brilliant those ads were! CW should be ashamed of themselves.

[tracys-dream.livejournal.com]

Supernatural has gone from strength to strength and I've found that shows like Gossip Girl and 90210 just recycle old material.
And if Supernatural had the same amount of press as these other shows then a lot more people would see just strong it is too.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Well said! SPN has grown and grown as a show from season to season. The same can hardly be said of 90210 or Melrose Place. The only thing that changes on those two shows are who's in whose bed!

And if Supernatural had the same amount of press as these other shows then a lot more people would see just strong it is too.

Exactly. Stop sinking all that ad money into shows that will never amount to anything and focus on the shows that have the potential to be huge if given just a little help.

[tracys-dream.livejournal.com]

:)

[mummyluvr314.livejournal.com]

I can't wait to see what happens to that network after next season, because SPN will be gone, Smallville will (hopefully, if there is a God and He truly loves us) be gone (and this isn't my own biases abut killing of Pa Kent, I've talked to legit SV fans who recognize that the series died in season five and is on life support now), and the CW will be left with Vampire Diaries and... did you hear some of the pitches for pilots this year? Have you seen previews for their new reality show about some "famous" chick no one's heard of (her name is Tinsley, which sounds like a communicable disease to me). It's just... no.

Wow. Long rant. TL;DR: CW will die in 2011/2012. The network will blame us for not watching crap.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Yeah, CW is in some serious trouble with two of their top shows poised to be gone after next season. If they think remakes of old 80's shows are going to save them they're sadly mistaken!

No, I actually haven't heard of anything besides the show about "changlings" they're apparently going to put on after VD next year, kicking SPN to Friday. Tinsley?? Now that's just laughable.

CW will die in 2011/2012. The network will blame us for not watching crap.

Ha! Perfect prediction!

[deanvica23.livejournal.com]

where is the spoiler on smallville. i think there is choices for all. Lot of fans one tree hill, gossip watch too supernatural.
I don't understand that no one think at a episode cross crover smallville supernatural.I watch me smallville in this moment with jensen. In a episode season 5 i believe it was on a ghost with chloé but nothing to see with supernatural. that remain smallville what.
Tom welling is good when it play evil clark but nice clark no. Not good the scenes emotions at the opposite of jensen perfect.and i found jensen perfect in jason , couple so hot with lana.

The channel promote the shows for the sex,love as gossip,one tree hill. sniffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff
we haven't even not the promo season 5 pics.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

If you click on the link in my original post it will show you the spoiler for Smallville if you haven't seen last week's episode.

While I'd love to see Jensen working with Tom Welling again, I don't think a crossover with SPN and SV would work all that well, simply because of the fantasy world SV is set in, compared to the more realistic universe of SPN.

Jensen really was good as Jason, wasn't he? I enjoyed watching him on SV. :-)

I know, where are the promo pics for season five of SPN??

[deanvica23.livejournal.com]

ok. how you find tom in smallville?
It miss something in his acting . is is better in bad clark , not very good the scenes emotions.
It is beautiful yes but i don't feel nothing.but i love the show for all the characters.

jensen was very good in jason. of course if if hadn"t supernatural jason would not died. maybe nice not bad boy. the couple jason lana fantastic very hot more that lana tom. jensen and kristin alchimy.

promo season 5 they hides them i want themmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

I think Tom's a pretty good actor, but I agree with you that when he's bad Clark he's better. :-)

The only reason I'm still watching Smallville is for Chloe and Oliver. Clark and Lois are boring. I even like Zod better!

I remember being sad that they were killing off Jason, but then I found out it was because Jensen was going to be on Supernatural. That definitely worked out better for him. And us!

I really don't know why we haven't seen any promo pics for season five yet. :-(

[deanvica23.livejournal.com]

justin is so much adorable. i met him at asylum 1.
it is very good as oliver. it deserve a spin off.

[aidanirl.livejournal.com]

freaking finally!!!!

how can they think that sappy soap is better and more sexed-up then Supernatural???

...idiots...

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

...idiots...

LOL! Yep, that pretty much sums it up!

[agent-jl36.livejournal.com]

My fave shows have always been the SPN, X-files, Twin Peaks genre. I never understood the shows that's all about who's sleeping with who and pregnant with the other guys sister's best friend's husband.

I also know that I'm not the only one out there that feels that way. If the promotions people would just pay us a little attention, they could see what a fiercely loyal fanbase this genre has.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

I couldn't agree more! I've always been into shows that have plots, be it sci-fi/fantasy or cop shows, instead of sitcoms and teenage angst shows. I just don't understand the appeal of those.

If the promotions people would just pay us a little attention, they could see what a fiercely loyal fanbase this genre has.

Amen! Stop sinking all that ad money into shows that will never amount to anything and focus on the shows that have the potential to be huge if given just a little help.

Agree

[winchesterwoman.livejournal.com]

I have never seen gossip girl or 90210. Never, but, some times I have seen some shorts, and it is just for the superficial people. and people who just want see, sex, sex, sex and see that all share and slep the samne guy or girl. that´s awful! but, some times that is what it. for some reason vampire diaries is above to supernatural. and because the supernatural thing is not that interesting as see how is dating with who in vampire diaries and if damon wants to kill setefan or elena is in danger. anyway. that´s true. smallville, in spite it is so wear. is better than the others. but like I said. the people just want watch sex.
Do you watched "superman returns"? what Peter white said? only three things sell in this world. : sex, violence, and superman." well, that part of violence I don´t think so :P

Re: Agree

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

I, too, don't understand the appeal of watching shows where all the characters do is jump from one bed to another. Talk about boring! And really, if the CW was paying attention to the dismal ratings of those shows they'd understand that they're boring and not working.

[khek.livejournal.com]

I don't know why CW thinks their future lies in soaps...they're trying to chase down the notoriously fickle teenage girl. And they don't seem to do it very well, because, for the most part, they're alienating the parents, who would be allowing the kids to watch the shows.

They'd be much better off turning their backs on the superficial and promoting the good storytelling they currently ignore.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Amen, my friend. The audience that watches SV and SPN are older and have jobs and spending money, that the advertisers want, not teenagers without any income.

And again, all CW has to do is look at their own ratings and they'd see what's really working! Wake up, Ostroff!

[riveryklown.livejournal.com]

Definitely, if Jensen and Jared were as exposed as Leighton was, they'd be just as known. And it's ridiculous how popular SPN is considering THEY NEVER PROMOTED IT. So, like take your teenage drama and stick it where the sun don't shine, CW. If you're too blind to see the numbers, we're not too blind to see the quality.

[agt-spooky.livejournal.com]

Well said! And I feel sorry for Jensen and Jared. They deserve way more support as actors than the CW will ever give them. I'm sure Leighton will have a HUGE career. [snort]