The CW

CHICAGO – Last week we covered several of the more notable rookie programs of the just-passed TV year and their inaugural TV-on-DVD season sets. This week, we’re back with a few of the veterans of the field, three shows that have never become critical smashes but have all developed their own devoted followings for good reason.

CHICAGO – We have written several times about the strength of the 2009-2010 television season with an incredible number of rookie hits and many of those great programs are now coming out on DVD.

CHICAGO – The broadcast network rookie class of 2009 was one of the best of all time with “Community,” “Glee,” “Modern Family,” “The Good Wife,” “NCIS: Los Angeles,” “The Middle,” and “Cougar Town” finding loyal fans.

CHICAGO – The CW announced its new fall line-up on Thursday and filled out five nights of original programming. Returning shows are “90210,” “Gossip Girl,” “One Tree Hill,” “Life Unexpected,” “America’s Top Model,” “The Vampire Diaries,” “Supernatural” and the final season of “Smallville”.

CHICAGO – The television landscape changes so often that it’s a remarkable fact that a network as young as The CW can already have a past that makes a new program feel like a throwback.

CHICAGO – With the fifth and reportedly final season of “Supernatural” starting tonight, September 10th, 2009, on The CW, what better time to sing the praises of this often clever and always underrated show via a review of the recently released fourth season Blu-Ray and DVD editions? If you’ve never seen “Supernatural” start at the beginning, but if you’ve seen the first three seasons, don’t give up on number four.

CHICAGO – The CW has announced their fall premiere dates and the season kicks off with two of the most anticipated premieres, the return of the second season of “90210” and the premiere of “Melrose Place,” both on Tuesday, September 8th. Including “Melrose,” the network has three new programs for fall 2009 (the other two are “The Beautiful Life” and “The Vampire Diaries”).

CHICAGO – Part of me is happy about the trend of TV being released quickly on DVD after a season ends, but what about when it turns out to be the last? Should seasons be rushed to store shelves or should time and respect be given for a show canceled far-too-soon? “Reaper: Season Two” is a bittersweet release, a set that’s barely even focused on the sophomore season of this excellent show much less the fact that it’s not coming back.

Television Rating: 3.0/5.0

CHICAGO – I adored the first, underrated season of “Reaper” and was as puzzled as any TV viewer that the CW saw in their wisdom to delay season two until nearly ten months after the last episode aired. More than ever, television viewers operate in an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality and I don’t see how the delay and the brief season (just 13 episodes) could possibly do anything to build a following for this nearly-cancelled gem.

CHICAGO – Every time we think we that we may have hit the bottom of the barrel when it comes to reality show television, someone, usually at The CW, figures out a way to scrape just a little bit lower.