Pedowitz eyes comedy for CW

The CW is searching to broaden its schedule with comedies, superheroes and series with closed-ended episodes underneath the leadership of recently hired prexy Mark Pedowitz, who gave his outlook for that network in the TCA press tour on Thursday. He accepted he envied a few of the half-hrs purchased by rival tv stations that will have become a huge hit to CW's core female-skewing 18-34 audience, naming CBS' "2 Broke Women," ABC's "Apartment 23" and Fox's "New Girl." "We're opening ourselves up to check out comedies this season,Inch stated Pedowitz. "We're feeling you will find comedies available that will have labored well on CW." Nevertheless, Pedowitz stated he isn't ensuring the development of a comedy block next fall. If the half-hour scripts pale compared to the typical diet of dramas and unscripted series, he's comfortable continue sans comedy. CW has not attempted comedies in the last 3 years underneath the previous regime of programming topper Beginning Ostroff. Additionally to developing its half-hrs like "Aliens in the usaInch that unsuccessful to obtain traction, the network attempted to maintain comedies inherited from the two forerunners, the WB and UPN, that merged to create the CW, including "Everyone Hates Chris," "Reba" and "The Overall Game." Stating the presence of Electricity Comics within the Warner Bros. family, Pedowitz stated he's positively searching to include a super hero-designed series to increase the schedule. He'll possess some competition for the reason that regard given ABC entertainment leader Paul Lee has formerly mentioned exactly the same intention, drawing in the stable of Marvel, also is possessed through the network's parent company, Wally Disney Co. Pedowitz also spoke of his need to see a minumum of one drama join the schedule that eliminates the serialized style that marks most CW series given they repeat better and enable more audiences to sample at night premiere. "We are not likely to leave behind serialized programming but simultaneously there is a deep concentrate on that close-ended show which has a CW show feel into it,Inch stated Pedowitz. "We want individuals shows. This is where we are headed." Another programming style Pedowitz signaled a desire for is remakes, stating the prosperity of "90210" on CW and Syfy's "Battlestar Galactica." However, he rejected to recognize specific qualities he's thinking of getting but made his desire to behave within this territory obvious: "In my opinion in new twists on a good idea,Inch he stated. All Pedowitz's programming interests feed right into a desire on his part to place shows about the schedule that both attract CW's core demographic while bringing in additional age ranges too. He recognized the Sarah Michelle Gellar vehicle "Ringer" as representational of this strategy. "It will likely be terrific if others reach sample exactly what the CW needs to offer because of 'Ringer,'" he stated. Pedowitz came to the conclusion his primetime wish list having a more pressing concern: additional original programming to assist fill the gaps when series would certainly get into repeats, specifically in the March-April time period. "We are likely to do what we have to caused by make certain we don't have individuals dark periods," he stated, decreasing to specify any development plans. The CW also introduced Thursday it has acquired a unique featuring a job interview with Rhianna questioned by designer Jean Paul Gaultier that initially broadcast in France. Airing Sept. 12, "Gaga by Gaultier" will be utilized for a lead-set for "The CW 2011 Fall Preview Special," a 45-minute consider the network's approaching season, located by Maggie Q ( "Nikita") and Kristoffer Polaha ("Ringer"). Pedowitz revealed that he's purchased additional instances of a quartet of their dramas. Two more instances of "Gossip Girl" and "90210" brings their total episode count for that coming season to 24, while "Nikita" and "Supernatural" can get yet another each, getting their total to 23. Contact Andrew Wallenstein at andrew.wallenstein@variety.com