Whenever spring appears on the horizon, millions of TV watchers tend to ask the same question: “has ____ been renewed for a new season?” Countless websites track the odds of a multitude of shows, posting every morsel that pops up, ahead of May “upfronts’, when most studios announce their impending fall lineups.
Living up to their motto “Dare to Defy”, The CW bucked that trend over the weekend by renewing 10 of its most popular shows in one fell swoop. The ones that got renewed should come as no surprise, as they’re among the most watched shows on tv currently, or are constantly adorn with the title of “critical darling”. Here’s what got renewed, for those gnashing at the bit:
Arrow
The Flash
Supergirl
Legends of Tomorrow
Black Lightning
Riverdale
Jane the Virgin
Crazy Ex Girlfriend
Supernatural
Dynasty*
No real surprises there, specially because anyone who is anyone surely knows Dynasty is a monster hit!!
There are a few interesting tidbits to take away from what shows made the cut. Supernatural proves that anything is possible if you wish hard enough, returning for its FOURTEENTH season. Stew on that for a moment. No really. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend returns for what will serve as the final run for the show. Shed no tears though, as star/co-creator Rachel Bloom and Aline Brosh McKenna have been on record stating, from the beginning, that the show had a 4 season plan. Not bad for a show the network saved from obscurity, after a failed pilot for Showtime left CEG‘s future hanging in the balance.
Proving once again that the TV side knows better than the Theatrical side when it comes what people want from live action DC offerings, all The CW’s superhero properties have been renewed. Not too surprising, given the ratings, critical reception, and cast additions (Constantine himself has a spot on the Waverider) for subsequent seasons for each show. Maybe there is a method to the madness that is having giant crossovers every single season!
Of course there’s three shows absent from the list, in iZombie, The 100 and The Originals. Worry not as those shows are mid-season with shortened episode orders, of which the latter 2 won’t premiere till late April. Most likely there will be renewals for these shows at a later date.
With these announcements out of the way, the ball is in the court of other major networks to step up and announce their fall slate earlier than normal. What about you, dear reader, are there shows you are anxiously awaiting the renewals of? Some show you’re desperately hoping gets the axe? Or is everyone twiddling their thumbs, waiting for the moment when it’s announced all of TV next year consists of nothing but revivals & reboots? Well then, be sure to sound off in the comments below!
*Serious question time: who is watching this?
