This updates my previous Primetime Pilot Panic: The Hot List
OVERVIEW: Everyone laughs about The CW but its development is praised this season for being very targeted. The result is that 5 out of 6 of its pilots seemed to be real. But that’s already winnowed down to 3 because of the lack of slots. (And, no, The CW or its designated hitter won’t be programming Sundays next fall.)
MELROSE PLACE (CBS-Paramount) rebooted is a lock. The show is already hiring.
THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE (CBS-Paramount/Katalyst Films) looks very good to be picked up since The CW likes its relationship with Ashton Kutcher and this is a drama about models starring young and old babes like Mischa Barton and Elle McPherson. “It’s sexy and very Dawn Ostroff,” one source tells me.
VAMPIRE DIARIES (Warner Bros/Alloy Entertainment) is next in line with the most heat. It’s a drama based on the series of books about vampire brothers and their girlfriend. “It screened very well the other day.”
GOSSIP GIRL SPINOFF (Warner Bros/CBS-Paramount/Alloy Entertainment): As I reported at 2:45 PM today, put a fork in it. It’s done. Next Monday’s episode of Gossip Girl is a flashback that was supposed to be a tempting taste for next fall’s spinoff following the wild teen years of now mom Lily van der Woodsen (played by Brittany Snow) in Los Angeles in the 1980s. But even though I heard Peter Roth loved its yesteryear vibe, the show went from hot, to lukewarm, to “fading but wouldn’t count out”, to now dead, according to my insiders. I’m really surprised.
That’s a shame. Gossip Girl’s a good show most of the time, the spinoff looked fun. There’s nothing to watch anymore if you’re not a frat boy, a reality fan, or interested in cops and doctors. They should keep the spinoff and dump 90210 which embarrassingly stinks
I say score one for the little writer trying to get his/her pilot off the ground — watching as the networks cannibalize every goddamn property they already own and in the process push the TV DRAMA business further into the RED.
But what about The Body Politic? It’s got Minka Kelly, Jason Dohring, Gabrielle Union and Brian Austin Green.
What the heck? The spin-off looks awesome. I agree that they should dump 90210 (if not Melrose Place too) and pick up the spin-off instead.
I’m really hoping Body Politic will be picked up and not just because I love Jason Dohring, Brian Austin Green and Gabrielle Union! From everything I hear, the script is really great, I’m absolutely loving the casting and when you’ve got people like Kal Penn quitting House to go work for Obama, this is a perfect time for a show about 20-something DC up and comers, that brings a little bit more than *just* being a sexy drama.
I saw the clip for next week’s Gossip Girl and while the VM fan in me loves Ryan Hansen and Krysten Ritter, I’d rather see them on better shows!
I was excited about the Gossip Girl spin off. I’m shocked.
What are you hearing about The Body Politic at the network?
What about “The Body Politic?” Is it as dead as the Gossip Girl spin off?
Gossip Girl is a guilty pleasure.
Any news on the other CW pilots? The Body Politic has a great cast and script.
Judging from the clips of the spinoff, CW did everyone a favor.
The Body Politic?
What about Body Politic? Hearing anything?
i was so excited about the spin off and i’m shocked too, the 30 sec promo looks awesome and better than the whole 90210 season ! WTF this show is still aired. That’s a shame !
what is Dawn Ostroff doing ? first she cancelled Veronica Mars 2 years ago and now she doesn’t want the spin off but prefers crappy remakes like 90210 and Melrose which would never be like the originals.
I’m going to miss Lyla on FNL, after her arc, but my friends and I want to see her on Body Politic with Jason Dohring and Brian Austin Green! (If BAG’s on the CW, he can also do a guest spot on 90210, FTW!) I hated Mischa Barton on the OC and while the idea of her as an aging model makes me giggle, that’s not enough to make me want to watch!
I thought ‘The Valley’ looked lame, but could we get Brittany Snow on Supernatural or Smallville? Brian Austin Green looked hot on that red carpet picture with Megan Fox and I can’t wait to see his new pilot now that they were stupid enough to kill Derek Reese off Terminator: SCC. He was the best part of that show!
Jennifer is totally right. yes we can… watch hot chicks in dc!
Even more than Body Politic, I’m wondering what’s going on with Lux Life. It’s the kind of Gilmore Girls family-aimed hit the network needs, but people have been real back and forth about it. Great pilot, though.
Great news about The Beautiful Life!
Me, too, on Body Politic. It’s got some solid folks behind the camera as well.
Beautiful people and undead people are always fun to watch, but I think CW has room for a show in tune with our more substantial aspirations (not to mention beautiful people like Kelly and Union).
That’s shocking about the Gossip Girl spinoff not being picked up. But hopefully it improves the chances of Privileged coming back!
I saw beautiful and it’s young sexy and edgy. New show for the fashion world to gawk after. I think this show is going to be a huge hit. Mark my words. Sex and the City meets Gossip Girl meets Entourage only it’s about Models not an actor.
Lux Life? Seriously? That pilot was stupendously AWFUL! Please don’t sully the name of Gilmore Girls, by comparing The Light Years to it! People could actually like and relate to Lorelei and Rory Gilmore! While ‘Lux’ (side note, that’s a stupid name!) has a sad, pathetic life, her desperately needy ‘I take take care of myself, really!’ attitude doesn’t invoke any sympathy. Her parents both are unlikeable and I don’t think I’ve disliked the main cast of a show so much since the Bionic Woman remake! If the CW is trying to find a new show like Gilmore Girls or Veronica Mars, where you can fall in love with all of the main characters, they’re not going to find it with The Light Years and need to keep trying.
VM’s Lilly Kane fans or GG’s Paris Gellar fans that know you can love a character without necessarily liking how that character behaves all the time should check out Gabrielle Union as Jessica in Body Politic! I may not have liked what I read about how her character behaves, but like Lilly Kane, I think I’m going to LOVE her!
I saw Light Years (wrong as Lux Life) and thought it was really good. And that the cast was tremendous. Lot of hating from LuxSux. Probably a writer from one of the other shows. Something as highbrow as the male model show. whoopee!
It’s clear this generation wants something sexy – but with a bit more substance and even inspiration. I’m eager to hear more about The Body Politic, especially given the new, young, good-looking administration. I’d invest in a sexy show that gives us a peak inside hot young DC. I’m hoping Body Politic will capture the spirit of these next four years, and more. Thoughts?