I would like to have a word with those who did the television scheduling this year. Despite the fact that the television studios are now completely dark and we are down to approximately 38 minutes of original programming to see us through the year, they have gone and scheduled two excellent shows on the same night, the bastards.
Of course, Lost is making its highly anticipated and much hyped return. Even I, who had many harsh things to say about the show during its second and third seasons, am excited about that. Dedicated fans have actually been spotted walking around town with a stopwatch in hand, counting down each second until the unluckiest castaways ever return to the screen. I don’t think I need to hype this one at all.
Sadly, it’s going head to head with a fresh episode of one of the most underrated shows on television, Supernatural. If ever there was a time for a show to find an audience, it would be during this creative wasteland of a television season, and the poor thing is going up against Lost. You know, that other little show with a young, media-savvy demographic. Does the CW have ABC employees on the payroll? It’s the only logical explanation for this slow sabotage of its original programming.
Supernatural isn’t particularly ground-breaking or innovative; it’s basically The Hardy Boys meets the X-Files. However, it’s got one thing going for it that’s in short supply these days: it’s a hell of a lot of fun. You have two hot brothers chasing demons across the US in a 1967 Chevy Impala, blaring AC/DC and bickering incessantly. What’s not to love?
The scripts borrow liberally — and respectfully — from every B-horror film you’ve ever loved. The dialog is surprisingly sharp and funny for a CW show, and the chemistry between the faux brothers is spot-on. And while neither of the lead actors are going to win Emmys for this show, they’re a lot more effective in the roles than critics give them credit for. Call it the CW Factor. The show has also expanded beyond the predictable monster-of-the-week plots to create a fairly detailed mythology and season-long dramatic arcs, allowing the show a depth your typical horror fare might lack. Sure, I started watching because Jensen Ackles’ face was sculpted by angels and he has a voice made of gold and honey, but I kept watching because it’s a genuinely good show.
So watch Lost on Thursday. I know you’re going to. But record Supernatural. After all, you’ve got plenty of time to watch it later.
Check out the clips below for two scenes from Thursday’s episode of Supernatural and a conversation with the two leads, courtesy of the good people at Warner Bros. (Click “Channel Guide” in the top left to bring up the clip menu.)
So tell me: what will you be watching this Thursday?
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January 30th, 2008 at 10:26 am
I will, fingers crossed, be watching Lost, for the first time AS IT AIRS! Because I will (again, hopefully) be in my hotel room by then in New York. Of course, the constant adverts may push me over the edge and make me wait til I am home again, but we’ll see.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
I will watch Supernatural. I don’t watch Lost so it’s a basic decision for me.
January 30th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Sorry lost no hype is going to make we watch anything but the best show on t.v. ’supernatural’.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I watch both but I’m far more of a Supernatural fan, so I’ll be watching that live this Thursday and catching up on Lost the next day online.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:12 pm
Katey and strangelove, it sounds like an easy decision!
Livy, I’m with you. I find that I like both shows, but I plain enjoy Supernatural more.
Carrie, good luck working your way through the commercials! These days, I only watch shows on iTunes or the BBC. I think I would furrow my brow in great confusion if I actually came across an ad during a TV show.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
I will be watching Supernatural and taping LOST. I am so annoyed that the programmers are piling everything on Thursday nights, but I am a loyal Supernatural fan and I have been waiting for these 4 new episodes that are airing in Feb.
And yes, I will be up late watching my DVR of LOST afterwards… and maybe one more screening of Supernatural.
January 30th, 2008 at 5:21 pm
I will be watching “Supernatural” as it airs and watching “Lost” later. I hope as many people as possible will be doing the same, to give “Supernatural” a little boost.
January 30th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
I love both shows, but I will be watching Supernatural live with my family and taping Lost to watch over the weekend.
I’m also going to give Eli Stone a chance after Supernatural.
January 30th, 2008 at 7:49 pm
My viewing loyalties will always be with SUPERNATURAL!!!
January 30th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
I really don’t see why people are hyped up about Lost? maybe after season 1 I could understand it, as it is Supernatural is a far more enjoyable show to watch. Plus I don’t feel like they are yanking my chain.
January 30th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
I feel your pain (it’s like you got in my head when you wrote this blog entry, everything you say is exactly what I’ve been complaining about since ABC announced their new time slot for LOST). I had already planned on watching LOST live and taping Supernatural–no way am I going to miss one of the best shows on TV, and a new episode no less, due to a boneheaded scheduling move by ABC. What, they didn’t think they had enough LOST viewers already, they had to try and go after the Supernatural fans, too?? Oh, the humanity!
January 30th, 2008 at 9:02 pm
Aw, it warms my heart to see all the SN love.
Amelthia, Lost definitely pulled me back in with the season 3 ending, but I’m not ready to trust it completely again. Are they really starting to tie some of the loose threads together, or it is more fancy misdirection? I will absolutely watch to find out, but only after I’ve seen Supernatural.
January 30th, 2008 at 11:06 pm
I will definitely be watching Supernatural! I understand that Thursday is the most lucrative advertising night of the week and that networks will thus always put their strongest horses in the Thursday night race, but I still resent viewers being forced to choose, especially when there’s so little on the entire rest of the week. And I can’t understand why the CW doesn’t at least promote Supernatural more, to help viewers searching for quality programming to find it.
January 30th, 2008 at 11:32 pm
That’s an interesting point, Bardicvoice. Of course, I imagine it’s only a lucrative night if you’re a large network with lots of viewers. I’m pretty sure the CW can’t claim that.
I wish they’d follow the marketing path of something like Buffy, which was originally on Monday night, opposite football and some generic comedy. It served as perfect counter-programming. Putting Supernatural against the biggest fantasy series on television seems to show a distinct lack of brains.
January 31st, 2008 at 2:00 am
I am definitely watching Supernatural.
January 31st, 2008 at 6:48 am
I’ll be watching AND recording Supernatural first, as I hope it gets a boost as well. LOST is a great story, and has some of my favorite characters ever, but the character relationships and story arcs in Supernatural, regardless of how handsome they are, make that show totally enjoyable and satisfying for me. I could watch those eps over and over again.
And thanks to Beth (above) for converting me. B**ch.
Every Supernatural fan owes it to the show to pull in at least one more viewer. Lost will never be in danger of being canceled because of low ratings, but Supernatural faces that every season, and it’s a crying shame.
January 31st, 2008 at 4:22 pm
For me, the decision is an easy one. I’ll watch and record Supernatural, and I’ll probably end up watching it again, at my leisure, over the weekend. It’s the only show I actually sit and watch during the week. And you’re right about Jensen’s and Jared’s performances being dismissed by the critics. Jensen is incredible in the role, and Jared’s come so far since season 1, it’s almost as if he’s a completely different actor. They each deserve a hell of a lot more credit than they get, and the show itself deserves more from the CW than it gets.
January 31st, 2008 at 5:34 pm
I will definitely be watching Supernatural. There is no contest. When the WB now CW moved it to Thursday nights I gave up CSI to watch Supernatural, so I am not going to stop now. I have never watched Lost and before Lost was in this timeslot ABC had Grey’s Anatomy there and I never watched that one either. It is Supernatural or nothing on Thursday nights at 9:00pm.
February 1st, 2008 at 3:07 am
I am a Supernatural fan, through and through. I watched it live. I can watch Lost later online. And I have to agree wholeheartedly with Shamangrrl – Jensen is an incredible actor and I don’t think it’s possible for him to get any better. He is just that good. And Jared has come so incredibly far since season 1 – as silly as it sounds, I’m as so PROUD of him!!! I know, silly right?
February 3rd, 2008 at 5:07 am
Lost does nothing for me. Supernatural is well written, loaded with fun, action, angst and the two leads totally float my boat. More people need to tune in to Supernatural.
And Megarea – you’re so right about Jared – he’s matured into a really top notch actor!
September 22nd, 2009 at 8:52 pm
Thanks! (: I love this supernatural