Idol Thoughts on The CW's Fall Schedule

So, I just got back from The CW's upfront presentation (the first upfront I've ever attended), and I'm ready to "get into it," as the new CW slogan goes.

The presentation started with a performance from The Pussycat Dolls, featuring newest member Asia. It was quickly announced that a second season of Search for the Next Pussycat Dolls will be on the schedule come midseason, although it wasn't explained whether the newest winner will replace Asia, or will be come the 700th member of the Dolls. I guess we'll have to wait and see on that one.

Tyra Banks was there too, along with this season's winner and runner-up Jaslene and Natasha, to promote America's Next Top Model. This show is the gift that keeps on giving for The CW, and should provide an excellent lead-in for the network's most exciting newcomer, Gossip Girl. Based on the novels of the same name, and produced by The OC creator Josh Schwartz, the show looks fantastic -- a sort of OC-in-Manhattan, with an equally hot cast. This is one I'm definitely looking forward to.

Also looking promising is Life is Wild, about a veternarian who moves his family to a reserve in South Africa. Yes, the premise sounds a little wonky, but the clips showed at the presentation made it seem like a sort of Everwood-in-South Africa, and anything that even remotely evokes Everwood is a-ok with me.

I was less impressed with the clips of Reaper, featuring Brett Harrison and Tyler Labine, but the crowd seemed to like it's mix of humor and supernatural elements. We'll see about that one.

Also getting a strong response from the crowd were clips from upcoming reality show Crowned, about mothers and daughters competing for a pageant title. If you like the goofiness of Beauty and the Geek, you'll love this one.

Speaking of Beauty and the Geek, it's a bit of a gamble to lead off Tuesday night with this one, especially after female-skewing Gilmore Girls has held down that timeslot for years. It has worked to have Top Model lead off Wednesdays, however, so perhaps it'll pay off for The CW on Tuesdays as well.

There was nary a mention of Veronica Mars throughout the entire presentation, so even though Michael Ausiello and others are reporting there is still a chance it could come back as FBI Agent Mars, my guess is it's gone for good.

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