Andrew Eccles / The CWHooray for lovers of Ian Somerhalder's smoldering eyes!
The Vampire Diaries has just received an official early pickup from our friends at the CW, along with another season order for Gossip Girl, Supernatural, America's Next Top Model and 90210.
But wait a minute, what about fan favorites One Tree Hill and Smallville, not to mention newcomers Life Unexpected and Melrose? Is there any hope they'll stick around? According to well-placed sources, here's where things stand:
Smallville: I'm told it's very likely that Smallville will return for another season, given that it is pulling in solid ratings (by CW standards)—an average of about 2.5 million on Friday nights. So why no Smallville pickup today? According to insiders, it's possible they are still finalizing deals with the actors and also want to announce Smallville's pickup separately, while also setting an end date, as it may be the final season.
Melrose Place: I'm told the CW is waiting to see how it does in the ratings when Melrose returns March 3. However, the prospects at this time are pretty grim. So far this season, M.P. has been pulling in about 1.7 million viewers for original episodes and 700,000 for repeats. Reruns of Vampire Diaries have been doing better than new episodes of Melrose Place.
One Tree Hill and Life Unexpected: According to insiders, it's highly likely that only one of these series will survive. Given that Life just started, the CW suits are giving it a bit more time before making the call. OTH has been averaging 2.5 million viewers on Monday nights (the same as Smallville, but Smallville faces less pressure on Friday nights), and Life Unexpected has been holding on to OTH's audience fairly well—thanks in part to ever-dropping rival Heroes, which just wrapped its season early. (Save the foster child, save the world.)
Fans already have launched a petition to save One Tree Hill right here. We just caught up with OTH's Shantel VanSanten (Quinn) at the Jill Stuart fashion show in NYC, and she said she's not giving up hope anytime soon. "I know that a lot of us have been signed on for one more year," Shantel told us. "And I feel like there's a lot that's due to our stories. I don't feel like we're ready to end. I feel like there's so much unfinished business, and I'm really, really hoping that we'll get another year."
Anyone feel the same? Are you rooting for One Tree Hill? Life Unexpected? Melrose? Smallville?
Let your voice be heard in the comments below...