At least they're saying something, though this time. The Premier switched days, and I caught it by chance when I was reading the paper.

Thanks, PolarB! All these changes.....I'm going to have to start putting it in my daytimer!

As I posted at the SPN board, the CW has become the first network to cancel a show this season. Online Nation is gone...which is probably a surprise to nobody. Repeats of Aliens In America will be airing in it's place.

The reason CW Now probabaly isn't being yanked is because a sponsor already paid for 52 weeks. My question is, "Why?"

Wait whut? Is that for new episode airings or re-runs?

New episodes. So Action will air Oct. 24 at 9pm.

According to Bell ExpressVu, Smallville does not air on A-channel Oct 24th. Strange.

Possibly on oversight on their part? The A Channel website has it listed.

As others have posted, I don't know when they'll confirm publicly, but to the trade (advertisers) they are already pitching season 8 ideas. From my perspective, it seems like TPTB are operating under the assumption that s8 is a go.

Dumb question. What's the "A" channel?

It's one of the channels in Canada that airs Smallville, angry dwarf.

Ok so dumb question number two. If I live in the US it's still Thursday at 8:00 est for new eps?

Yes, in the US it's still Thursday at 8:00 est for new eps.

ETA: Both question weren't dumb, btw.

Here's the ratings from Pifeedback.



The viewers went up. And even with the Red Sox playing an elimination game last night. I have to say, with the networks looking at the DVR numbers now as well, if these numbers hold and they are still averaging about 800 thousand DVR playbacks, then I just can't see them cancelling this show. I would think a season 8 is a certainty.

Dang. Especially without MR as a regular and if AM leaves.

I'll miss Chloe more, but I just don't see how it can work without Lex as the big bad. Well, they'd probably bring him in in the finale to kill Lionel, at least.

I'm not so sure MR is going to leave. I look for a last second renegotiation for MR to appear in probably half the episodes. My guess would be to have him disappear for the first half of the season, and introduce a villain that Clark has to deal with during his absence. Then just in time for February sweeps you have the "Return of the Lex" episode. And you do the infamous last 10 episode arc to bring the series to a close. I don't think MR is going to be gone for good.

KK is gone no matter what. AM is probably 85% gone. So the show will change a bit. I would look for ED, AA, and LV to become very much in the fore front at the beginning of next year.

Those new credits? TW, MR and AM all being given Directing gigs? Those are perks they're giving to the actors to stay motivated and connected to the show.

This show would be abysmal without MR and AM. They keep TW from phoning it in. I think the show would be hurt ratings-wise without KK, but creatively it could go on without her. Without Chloe and Lex however, this show's creative level would be unimaginably bad, imo.

Have to disagree with you on that one. While I do believe that they can really bring a bad episode out of the crapper, I don't think that the creative level would be unimaginably bad. After all, it would mean that Clark would HAVE to become more involved. And TW only looks like he's phoning it in when he does scenes with Lana that are the same old, same old. Get rid of KK and you don't have that problem.

Plus remember...John Glover is signed for an 8th season. So I would expect that his role would increase. God, I didn't realize how much I missed him until I typed that last sentence.

I think everyone probably has their own reasons for watching SV, obviously. But I suspect at this point, there are a lot of people that are in it for the long haul, cast changes or not. And I do believe a lot of people are just too invested to not see how it ends for Clark. Of course any cast member that leaves will take some of their diehard fans with them. But I've always thought, and still think, its Clark Kent that puts the most butts in the seats. And I think TW will be able to sustain it for one last year. Not that I personally am pulling for a S8, I just think its evitable at this point. Nothing else the CW has is taking off, and SV's numbers are, so far, strong. The bump from the DVR ratings is only going to help. JMHO

Oh, about DVR ratings. The networks want them very badly bc they make the raw numbers look better, but I'm not sure how much they're going to improve their bottom line. When people watch via DVR, they have the option of ff'ing thru commercials and if advertisers are paying for eyeballs then that number doesn't promise much for them. Now, if they pay for product placement in the show, yes, the DVR ratings help. I could see the product placement increase because of it.

They must improve them somewhat if they want them so badly..lol

That's exactly how I feel. I will watch until the very end. And I think TW is more than capable of handling the status of being the star/main character even if MR and AM do not come back.

I think the show would be fine, maybe even improved without having to worry about Chloe all the time. But the core of the show is Clark and Lex and I think the show REALLY needs that for a S8, if they've got anything.

Even though John Glover is contracted for 8, that doesn't mean he'll last that long. I think it's kind of silly really to have Lionel but not Lex on the show.. especially since they can't seem to decide what to do with him. Lionel's been gone what, four weeks now and I don't even really miss him, as much as I love JG.

Exactly. I think they know the show can't go on without their core four (and THAT is why KK is back). They know whom the fans love, hate, and love to hate. They know whom people are invested in. I see more signs that they want s7 to go out on top and negotiate for a spin off (Which is cheaper to do and will bring in more coin in the long run if it's successful) or woo the iffy actors into resigning. Don't get me wrong, no Clark and I'm gone sooner. But I think the people in charge of the show don't want to risk a non-core four series. And given the way they treat the newer cast (as characters that bolster the main characters story lines) I don't see the change in set up to go for a big s8 re-set up at all. The director cards and other perks like that seem as inscentives to let the long term actors try new things in order to get them not to leave.

There was an article at Variety.com about this. The article is mostly about how networks are having to learn to be more patient because they have to wait for DVR numbers. (No more cancelling a show right after it premieres). And here's a quote from the article.

Whatever their influence, at least DVR numbers eventually get added to a show's final Nielsen tally -- and as of this year, advertisers are finally starting to pay for that viewership.

So, DVR numbers will definately be bumping up ad prices.

Update numbers for "Cure" (from the ratings thread at K-Site)

8:00 PM SMALLVILLE 3.1/5, 5.18, 2.1/6, 2.1/5

This week vs. last week
- 5.18 million viewers v. 4.82 - UP by 360,000 and ties w/ season premiere
- 2.1/6 A18-49 v. 1.9/5 - UP and is season high
- 2.1/5 A25-54 v. 2.0/5 - UP and is season high


Wow, something definitely caused a bump there. That ties the season premiere.

I wonder how Supernatural is doing. It was funny and adorable last night.

More DC, I say! Bring back Vandal Savage! And shirtless AM!
I would be the first to call for the death of Lana, and I am sure other people feels the same way about Chloe. And MR has basically been a guest star since season four, considering how much attention Lex gets in most episodes.

But a Smallville without AM, KK and MR as a recurring character... is not Smallville to me. I think Clark is the most important character (Lex is a close second), and the only character who can spike ratings on his own. But a cast of TW, ED, JG and AA is The Even Newer New Adventures of Lois and Clark, and that does not sound too appealing to me. As much as I like TW, that seems like a pretty big change, especially if they hope to keep the ratings where they are now.

Great ratings. If Fierce can't slow the show down I don't know what could. They have momentum, even with Clana. Everything is clicking for them this season. I hope it continues, this season is off to a great start.



So much word Craig. TW and MR make this show, and only those two. Anyone else could leave and the show wouldn't miss a beat.

I'd imagine that they would build the show around Clark and Lois next season, sorta like in season 1 with Clark and Lana. Maybe have them developing major feelings for each other but not acting on them (unless they get the ok from the higher ups, then all bets are off).

Clark and Lois in all 22 episodes (hopefully Lex too). Lionel, Kara, Jimmy, and MM in 12-13 episodes (Lex too if he isn't in all 22). Maybe bring back Oliver for 6+ or so episodes. Maybe even introduce Mercy for 6 or so episodes. Introduce some future villians that Clark will battle as Superman. Have Lois become the number 1 reporter at the DP. Wrap up any lingering storylines and push full steam ahead. And that should be a wrap. A condensed cast, with lots of potential for mythology and even romance. The show would still be great.

I think SV could survive without Lex, Chloe or Lana. In fact, it could definately survive the loss of Lana. Hardcore Lana and Clana fans would be displeased, so ratings might dip a bit. (Although not as much as the PTB seem to fear.) But, in terms of the story, the show would do just fine. After all, I think that trying to keep Lana worked in somehow, now matter how contrivances they have to come up with, has been what's hurt the show the most, in my opinion. So the promise of a Lana-free SV might actually draw some old viewers back.

But losing all three characters at the same time, and trying to fill the voids with new ones (meaning the cast members who've joined the show since season 4), could be tough.

As much as I loathe Lana in any form, showing her openly two faced secretive and manipulative, even if the excuse is she's an abused abandoned prwincess has made the show and Clana scenes more digestible and non-vomit inducing. Kara isn't groan worthy and Lex isn't brazenly Lana-neutered broken. So it can be an okay seasonafter all.

The ratings for this episode just confirm my belief that Smallville fans are kind of pervy. People get strapped to tables, ratings go up. Well, except for "Labyrinth," but IIRC, Tom Welling wasn't shirtless for that scene. I think that makes a difference.

If I had to venture a guess, I'd say it was Dean Cain that caused the ratings spike. Just a complete guess, but that's what I think might have happened.

I think so too and it helps that Dean was promoted more than say, Linda Carter. On Extra they mention him on Smallville just before it aired.

Why people even wondered what was the cause for high ratings is a mystery. Why just to see two men wrestle/fight who've and are portraying Clark Kent is sure fire ratings sell. If CR hadn't been in his condition you know some how Dr. Swann woud've tussled with TW!Clark.
For some all that was missing is the oil and Chlovage as the ringgirl.

I'm pretty unhappy with the high ratings. I bet that Almiles now think that this is because they brought Lana back.

Supernatural did pretty bad. They say a trailer for Supernatural had aired somewhere around the end of the SV episode and it was a trailer for an old episode ("The Kids Are Alright"). This definitely did not help to tune more people in, as some could think that they were going to show a repeat.

The show wouldn't be Smallville as I know it. Maybe it could survive with just AM or KK or MR leaving but all three leaving at the same time will take away reasons that a lot of people watch it. I'm not invested in the characters of Jimmy or Kara and I can't see their plots gripping me enough for me to hang around for another season. I don't see the point of Lionel without Lex and a sesaon built around Clark and Lois without the other characters would be strained IMO.



I don't believe that. KK and AM have their fans. And as much as I dislike Lana, a season without Lana would affect ratings, maybe not hugely but they would be affected. As history has shown with other TV shows, when a long standing character leaves, their departure will leave some kind effect.

Right. At this point, if either MR, KK, or AM leave, then I do expect to see it affect the ratings somewhat because there are enough people invested in those characters to stop watching if they aren't on the show anymore.

Maybe I just can't see past my Lana hate, but I think viewers might come back to the show if KK left. I don't know if it would be enough to offset her fans that leave, but I don't think the show would take a major dip. My biggest problem with Smallville is how the other characters are made to look pathetic around her. A Lana free season would be really interesting to watch.

When MR first announced that he wasn't coming back after season 7 I was like, 'That's it. I hope the show gets cancelled. It's not Smallville without Lex.' But then KK said she probably wouldn't sign up for a season 8 and I was like, 'Well now, wait a minute. This is looking better.' When the rumors started coming out that AM might not be back either my opinion changed again.

I'm willing to sacrifice Lex or Chloe, but not both. And as much as I'm a die-hard Chlarker, it's the Clex dynamic that made this show interesting. If there's a chance to get back to that without the Lana bullshit I'm there.

I'm not saying I wouldn't watch a season without Chloe and Lex. I'd still give it a shot. I'm in this to see Clark's journey to Superman. But Lex and Chloe are the characters that make him more like Superman. If they're both gone I could see myself losing interest and deciding to do something else on Thursday nights.

And if season 8 has no Lex or Chloe, but still has Lana, then I'm definitely out. It's getting to the point where my Lana hate supersedes my Clark love.

I think Smallville would be great without Lana, or at the the Lana Effect. I could see the show going on without Chloe, but I don't know if I would still watch. I could even see it with less Lex, so long as he was used well in episodes where he did appear.

But losing AM, KK and MR? For me, that's not Smallville anymore. It's Clark and a bunch of supporting characters I am not invested in. I also doubt the Secrets and Lies would go away just because KK leaves - either we get Clana 3.0 with Clois, or a new LI for Clark to mope about.

Now, if the CW is even around next year and the ratings stay stable, I think season eight in a no-brainer. But losing 3/4 of the Big Four? I am not so sure how I feel about that.

Whether the ratings would fall in season 8 because there was no Lana, Chloe or Lex is moot. It's the last season. The ratings can go in the toilet (which they wouldn't), the show would still wrap up its run like they planned. So for me if Lana fans leave the show and you see a couple of hundred thousand fans leave the overall viewership it means nothing. The show is NOT going for a season 9. Everyone associated with the show has said that 8 seasons is it. TW won't sign for a 9th season, so if the ratings dip next year it's not a big deal. And honestly, I truly believe that when this show gets to its endgame in the back half of next year, the ratings will probably start to spike. I would expect that people that left the show because of the soap opera feel would probably come back to watch Clark become Superman. And I fully expect that MR will be back in some capacity next year. I love AM, but if she chooses to leave then its not going to affect the overall storyline all that much. KK leaving doesn't affect it at all. MR is the only one that they would need back for the final run of episodes.

This would be a deal breaker for me.

Me, either. Unspoiled viewers thought that Lana died in "Phantom" and Bizarro still did well in the ratings. And an extra 500 000 viewers tuned into "Justice", a Lana-free episode. I do think the numbers will go down if MR leaves, unless Lex is replaced by an equally iconic villain.

I would't care if the ratings go up or down. Once a character that I liked the most is gone (Lex), then I'm gone. Plus, I think unless the writers are different, then the show isn't going to change. It will be the same stuff of triangles and light-switches and off-screenville all over again.

Oh crap so we are going to get a S8?! That means:
Another Clana break up scene, and then get back togueter,
Bizalo will find a pulitzer on her trash can and the new lesbian editor will be her new LI,allong with hawkman (she will say that she will like to marry a man that can fly)
Lionel will become evil and then good and then whatever again,
We will see Ursa as a last phantom (probably taking Lana's body)
Plastic Man as a guest star that teaches Clark the kiss of forgetfulness...and of course he also dates Bizalo.
Chloe will get cancer, go bald and demoted to serve coffee at the DP cafeteria...Oh and The Goughlar will call it the best season evah...why God hates me so much???

They won't get back together. KK will not be back for an 8th season.

I'm not sure that's a given. Maybe you have more info than I do, but the only time I ever saw it addressed was in an interview KK did for Partition. She said she probably wouldn't do an 8th season, but she wasn't ruling anything out. There is a chance we could have KK back for 8 and MR and AM gone. In which case I'll be contacting Dr. Knox to erase Smallville from my memory. I'm not a Meteor Freak. He won't cut out any of my vital organs.

Actually, SPN is doing pretty well for a CW show in that timeslot.

SPN is in what is fondly known in the media as "the timeslot of death." No hour of television is as competative as the Thursday at 9 pm timeslot. Many agree that any CW show that can air in that timeslot and not get stomped into oblivion is doing pretty well.

For example, this week, SPN was up against CSI (one of the top three shows on television), Grey's Anatomy (another one of the top three shows on television), a one-hour version of The Office (which appeals to the same demo as SPN), and a baseball game on FOX that was watched by over 12 million people (making it one of the most watched TV programs of the week). SPN getting the viewers it did against all of that isn't bad at all.

Of course, I'd love to see the CW move SPN to a less cut throat timeslot. And I actually think BATG might do okay after SV. Because I don't imagine a lot of BATG fans watch Grey's Anatomy.

So with these ratings, what are the chances of a Kara spin-off?

Toronto area viewers: Last week the A-channel was advertising Smallville as being on at 9 pm on Wednesdays starting this week. However I've noticed in this week's TV guide it's listed as 8pm with Rush Hour 2 on at 9. Anybody know the true time? If you're planning to tape it you might want to start it at 8pm just in case.

The A Channel website has it listed at 9pm on Oct. 24. However, they've been switching it around so much, checking in at 8pm might not be a bad idea.

My listing says 8pm for "Action" as well. Stop messing with our heads, AChannel!