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The WB: Brilliant But Cancelled.
September 15, 2006
At 11:59pm on Sunday, September 17th, the WB will be no more. And so will fall the type of programming we’ve grown to love – serial television in a world populated almost exclusively by gorgeous and troubled characters. Even the old people are sexy on the WB. We’re going to miss it.
The WB began programming in 1995 -- a reaction to the Fox network's growing success. The idea was that smaller networks could thrive in a market where the major networks had become homogenized. While their parents were hooked “Ally McBeal” – a younger demographic was being aggressively charmed by The WB.
The WB found itself in the unique position of building an audience that would stay put. With the launch of it's “Kids WB” programming, The WB began airing shows such as “Tiny Toon Adventures,” wherein child-versions of Bugs Bunny and friends wrought havoc on each other. Also launched was the wildly successful “Animaniacs,” about three oddly shaped cartoon characters who lived in the WB water tower. These shows had the surprising effect that Warner Brothers had popularized with it’s Bugs Bunny cartoons in the 1940s. “Animaniacs” was watched in equal numbers by small children, and stoned college students.
From there, the WB moved on to an often-ignored but hugely lucrative market: teens (and later, "tweens.") Shows like “Felicity” detailed a young girl starting college at a fictional version of NYU. “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was a successful spin-off of the 1992 film of the same name. That show would later spawn “Angel” and solidify Joss Whedon’s status as a TV creator-genius.
The WB was not without its misguided ideas. There was, after all, the use of Michigan J. Frog, the newly personailitied obnoxious frog, who danced through promos with his top hat and bow-tie. As the network grew up, it abandoned that frog long after it had overstayed it’s welcome. This was about the same time that The WB figured out it could finally market to an older crowd – the same market it courted in the late 90’s.
The audience that watched "Felicity" during college were now living lives that were closer to the lives of the characters on “Everwood.” The success of The WB grew with hits like “One Tree Hill” and “Smallville.” In the meantime, though, the UPN was gaining on them, until in 2005, The WB finished behind UPN in ratings for the first time.
In January of 2006, CBS President and television visionary Les Moonves announced that he would purchase and merge both The WB and UPN, effectively creating what he believes will be a “fifth major network.” "The CW," as it’s being called will launch on September 18th, 2006.
On Sunday, September 17th, the network will show the premiere episodes of “Felicity,” “Buffy,”and “Angel.” The last programming that the WB will ever run will be the series premiere of “Dawson’s Creek” at 10pm.
The WB was never afraid of a "niche market" because they knew that their audience would remain adaptable., It survived without any pretensions of becoming a “fifth” network. While "The WB" found itself in competition with Fox, UPN, and the major three, the WB remained loyal to its viewers -- it renewed the series craved by it's audience. By growing up with a generation that is just now coming of age, The WB made itself part of the American cultural landscape.
Goodnight, little frog-prince. We hardly knew ye.
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Comments
winston apostol wrote:
is there anyway that i can get any information, perhaps a dvd or video of the show "Run of the House?" please get back to me as soon as possible.
posted at September 16, 2006 01:58 PM
Katherine wrote:
What is going to happen to Pepper Dennis? Will the show survive the changeover from the WB to the CW? Thanks for letting me know...
posted at September 17, 2006 02:27 PM
shan wrote:
i'm looking for the old shows mitsfits of science kid n' play cartoon harlem globetrotters and the great spacecoaster and maybe even some of the old solid gold sould train episodes
posted at September 17, 2006 03:18 PM
Pam Conaty wrote:
I watched the end of the WB tonight and got a
little teary-eyed at the end. I loved Buffy,
Angel, and Firefly and will always miss them.
I'm afraid we will never see their like again.
So thanks to the WB - you will be missed.
And I will be watching the CW.
posted at September 17, 2006 10:24 PM
Millie wrote:
Is there a chance "Everwood" will be brought back? I was just told that "7th heaven"will be back-I thought that show was also cancelled.
Please let me know. Thank You.
posted at September 18, 2006 11:19 AM
Lauren wrote:
How can an article about the WB be written with only a one-sentence reference to Dawson's Creek? Whether you liked it or hated it, Dawson's Creek was a HUGE part of why the WB was so successful. Especially with the "tweens". Let's give Dawson's Creek the props it deserves!
posted at September 18, 2006 01:42 PM
Jalenfan wrote:
I didn't watch the WB thing. The network actually started out with shows that Black casts then dropped those show. I still watched for the cartoons, I guess its Cartoon Network for me.
posted at September 18, 2006 02:21 PM
Scott wrote:
The WB has presented us with some of the best shows on TV. I've watched every chanel for almost 50 years and have never been as hooked by a string of shows such as what WB presents. I will forever miss Smallville, Everwood, and etc. Those were wholesome shows that taught our audiences about "life" and how to deal with it. It is the very thing our younger generation needs to see. I truly hope that WB would come back or at least a network that carries the same traditions.
posted at September 18, 2006 02:38 PM
Dan wrote:
This is in response to Millie on the "Everwood" question...she will be disappointed to know that Everwood was dropped to make room for Seventh Heaven's return.
posted at September 18, 2006 02:48 PM
Dana wrote:
I think that Everwood has been picked up by ABC Family channel.
posted at September 18, 2006 06:30 PM
John D wrote:
What about Grosse Pointe, that show was a good send up of teen dramas. Maybe too good considering the people it pissed off.
posted at September 18, 2006 09:05 PM
mdpagirl wrote:
Everwood was cancelled and 7th Heaven brought back on the WB's successor network, the CW. ABC Family is going to air the old seasons of Everwood; it did not pick the series up to continue with new episodes.
As for Scott's comment about Smallville, that show is sticking around and will air on the CW, along with Gilmore Girls, 7th Heaven, and several other long-running WB and UPN shows.
In response to Katherine's question about Pepper Dennis, that show ended this summer and wasn't picked up by the CW or anyone else to my knowledge.
posted at September 19, 2006 05:26 AM
Rebecca wrote:
Yeah, unforutonatly to many of us watched the 7th heaven finale that they decided to keep it for one more season and dump everwood. Had I know I had that kind of influence I would not have watched the so called end of 7th heaven.
posted at September 19, 2006 06:15 AM
Garee Sutton wrote:
Sorry, Katherine, unfortunately Pepper is gone for good. Which sucks, I liked that show. To Scott, Smallville will still be on. I now feel the urge to go dvd shopping on Amazon to get Felicity, and the like, having never watched it 'til this past Sunday. I got chills when I watched that final goodbye montage of the WB's various programming, it was quite an excellant editing job, so emotional! It seems that the days of old WB will not return, as the promos for CW seem entirely different from the old WB ones (prior to the past several years). All told, it sucks that it's gone (and not just because the WB affiliate in my market was owned by FOX-affialiate holder, and is therefore now a My Network TV hub - which I refuse to watch - and UPN/ now CW isn't a strong signal, ergo not viewable. But I doubt I'd watch CW in primetime, anyway, since so many of the shows I did watch were cut, and I haven't watched UPN in a few years...).
posted at September 19, 2006 06:34 AM
Destiny wrote:
I'll miss the WB so many good shows. I had heard Everwood was cancelled even thought there was an online petition and also several other things fans had done to try and keep the show. if it is going to ABC Family Channel I hope they make new ones I love that show.
7th Heaven was not cancelled it supposedly ended last season after 11 years. I remember the commercials in which it said last episode ever...I had heard they cancelled Everwood and are bringing back 7th Heave. I liked that show to but to me it was finished and Everwood still had al lot of great story to tell.
posted at September 19, 2006 07:32 AM
Zo T. wrote:
"While "The WB" found itself in competition with Fox, UPN, and the major three, the WB remained loyal to it’s viewers -- it renewed the series craved by it's audience."
As an "Angel" watcher who took part in fan letter-writing, billboard-buying and stuff-sending campaigns in an ultimately futile attempt to get the WB to reconsider (or even explain) their decision to cancel the show I have to take exception to the last part of the above sentence. The WB let us down, and lost a large number of loyal veiwers in the process.
posted at September 19, 2006 10:57 AM
eD! Thomas wrote:
"Also launched was the wildly successful "Animaniacs," about three oddly shaped cartoon characters who lived in the WB water tower."
Actually, "Animaniacs" started on FOX Kids in 1993 and left to go to Kids' WB in 1995.
Sorry; the "Animaniacs" nerd in me wouldn't let me not mention that...
posted at September 19, 2006 04:26 PM
Randi Stonehill wrote:
So sorry about the demise of the WB - my satellite company isn't carrying The CW (how much does that suck?) - Buffy & Angel were my faves for years (thank God for TNT & FX, they still air in the am...DVR anyone?) but seriously pissed about Gilmore Girls (I know, I know - guilty pleasure) - waiting for word from my satellite co about why no CW. Thanks WB - we'll miss you for non-standard programming (where would Joss Whedon be withotu it?).
posted at September 20, 2006 10:13 AM
K wrote:
I'm a lot older than the demographics the WB was encouraging, but they had some great shows, often better than the big 4 were offering. Sorry it has gone away
posted at September 20, 2006 11:56 AM
kira wrote:
I wish What I like about you was still on. I loved that show!!! Anyone know if its coming to dvd soon??
posted at September 20, 2006 02:28 PM
Iani wrote:
"In January of 2006, CBS President and television visionary Les Moonves announced that he would purchase and merge both The WB and UPN, effectively creating what he believes will be a “fifth major network.” "The CW," as it’s "
Actually:
a. CBS already owned UPN
b. The CW is a 50/50 partnership between CBS and Warner Bros. Technically, it is not a merger, but a new network, because both The WB and UPN shut down, voiding all affiliate agreements.
posted at September 20, 2006 05:21 PM
Heather wrote:
Randi-y pissed about gilmore girls? it will be back for another season (although possibly its last) on Tues 9/26. I too miss the Buffy and Angel era and thank god for TiVo everyday!! Yay FX & TNT!! However I can deal without the reminscence of the teen angst of Dawson's Creek. Seriously--what 15 year olds talk that way? However, I am a bit annoyed that they wasted a spot with 7th Heaven. Per Entertainment weekly the characters Simon & Ruthie will not even be back! Put the show to rest already and put something worthy in its place!
posted at September 21, 2006 12:59 AM
dyani wrote:
Props to eDThomas for the Animainiacs correction. When I read that, I was a little confused at first because I could have sworn I remember watching it on FOX first! (I'm sure you got the dvd vol. 1. isn't it awesome??!)
Plus, doesn't anyone remember the "summer series" sponsored by coca cola, Young Americans??? I swear that was the best show ever! For a moment in my 15 year old days, I liked that show better than Dawson's Creek. I mean come on, it had Ian Somerhalder (waay before his 'Lost' days) and Kate Bosworth (before anyone even knew who she was) I hope I'm not the only one who remembers that show!
(NOTE FROM COMMENT APPROVER: I was a huge, wicked, desperate fan of "Young Americans." It's cancellation ignited my passion to eventually work here. "A can of coca cola in every shot!" Score you.)
posted at September 21, 2006 11:29 AM
Katie wrote:
oh my god. "Young Americans" was awesome. Shirtless boys wrestling and running through the woods. OH! Two episodes that burned my brain forever. That show was my sexual awakening.
posted at September 21, 2006 11:52 AM
a wrote:
God, I loved the WB. Pepper Dennis was a cute show, and Everwood was so smart! Just a questions, what happens to those Friday shows like What I like about you and Reba? Do those get dropped or do they move to Sunday afternoon reruns? I too, am finding myself regretting the night I watched 7th Heaven's finale. Did it ever occur to the networks that I just wanted some closure from an angsty family drama that was on for waaay too long?
posted at September 21, 2006 06:11 PM
Sunny Mom wrote:
I'm three times as old as the WB's demographic, but I've been watching practically since Day 1. So many of the shows were way better than the networks, with possibly Buffy and Angel being my favorites, especially for the storylines and acting. (Thank goodness for reruns and DVDs!) Of course GG would be my all time favorite. I loved the comedies, too - Steve Harvey, For Your Love, and lately, What I Like About You. Anyone remember Nick Freno?
posted at September 22, 2006 10:16 AM
Kirsten wrote:
Zo T. wrote:
As an "Angel" watcher who took part in fan letter-writing, billboard-buying and stuff-sending campaigns in an ultimately futile attempt to get the WB to reconsider (or even explain) their decision to cancel the show I have to take exception to the last part of the above sentence. The WB let us down, and lost a large number of loyal veiwers in the process.
A-MEN! I haven't (voluntarily) watched the WB since the last "Angel" episode. I'm happy to see them go.
posted at September 22, 2006 02:53 PM
Jenn wrote:
The WB and UPN mostly had shows that Sucked.
I had 1 WB Series - Charmed, and 1 UPN Series - the Various Star Treks, that I kept up with.
posted at September 24, 2006 05:45 PM
Gianna wrote:
I might be wrong in this, but isn't the WB the reason that all of the "major" stations now all have mid season new shows? I can't remember a time before the WB that a channel split a season in half. Instead of re-airing previously aired episodes during the winter (as the "major" stations did previously following the November Sweeps) the WB would show a brand new show made especially for that time frame (ie. Beauty and the Geek) and then in January they would show the second half of the season without ever showing a repeat epsiode. It was brillant and for just a moment, it was something the "majors" would never had considered. Now more of the old programming standards are being challenged - the idea that the Fall Season begins in September is being challenged by Fox (their breakout hit from last season; Prison Break, kicked off it's second season in August) and stations like TNT are making BIG waves with summer hits like The Closer and Saved. Now if only the old standard of guessing what everyone is really watching - could get an Extreme Makeover.
posted at September 25, 2006 05:49 PM
Rob wrote:
The UPN didn't have very many quality shows. I watched Star Trek Voyager and Enterprise. I liked the WB, and I grew up with Kids WB. I remember when my favorite cartoons moved from Fox Kids to Kids WB. I think I'll always look at Animaniacs, Superman, Tiny Toons, and my other favs from the WB with a hint of nostalgia. Oh well, at least there's a new episode of Smallville on the CW this Thursday.
posted at September 25, 2006 06:32 PM
Hugo wrote:
I concur with those who hope that Everwood is brought back. I thought it was a strange way to end the series when it had so much more story line left. Bring it back !!
posted at September 26, 2006 03:01 PM
Alicia wrote:
what was the name of that show with the 4 sisters who lived in new york?
posted at October 5, 2006 07:52 PM
Araceli Irigoyen wrote:
It was called "Related". I loved that show... :(
posted at October 6, 2006 02:12 PM
Courtney wrote:
I am so sad for the WB...The new CW has done everything wrong so far from bringing 7th Heaven back to cancelling Related which as far as I am concerned was one of the best shows in years. Gilmore Girls will never be the same with the new writer the show has lost it's charm. I am 25 and I grew up watching this channel now they have replaced good programming with garbage. Everwood was cut short to put a terrible story line of 7th Heaven back on TV. What a dissapointment.
posted at October 9, 2006 01:50 PM
Jennifer wrote:
Are any stations picking up Related? It was one of my all time favorite shows, it shouldn't have been cancelled!
posted at October 9, 2006 07:10 PM
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