day 58

gossip girl finally coughs up spin-off

the would they-or-wouldn't they idea of doing a prequel spin off to gossip girl is a definite would they.  head honcho stephanie savage said that she and boss josh schwartz didn't want to upset the original chemistry of the cw's flagship show and, therefore, they've decided to go ahead with a spin off about lily van der woodsen (nee rhodes) in her younger years. the show will start with lily's move to california to live with her black sheep sister and go to (shocker) public school.  the show, which will take place in the 80s, will also introduce us to young rufus humphrey who will, at some point, impregnate young lily.  this will, of course, lead into the present day storyline of the former (and possibly current) love birds seeking out their birth son.  the show will also be a chance for younger viewers to explore a decade that most of them have never experienced, the 80s - the show will work heavily with the era's music, fashion, and culture.  so, are you finally ready for this? i am.  a may episode will introduce us to the young lily, but won't be a backdoor pilot (a la private practice) - it will just familiarize us with the new  old world of lily rhodes.  the show will most likely premiere post gossip girl next season and has yet to be titled.  

other cw news

television's youngest network may have a schedule shake-up come the 2009/2010 season.  many of the net's popular shows are in limbo, with contract negotiations and storylines becoming a problem in their continuation.  one of the shows is one tree hill.  the show's current season is the last the cast has under contract and, with the network not offering a deal to the entire cast.  that means it's up to the cast to say they want another season - which they seemingly do - and they have to go into the studio together.  while fans are sure to back the next season, there are financial (should they get more money? is the show too expensive?) and creative issues (where's the show going? how much longer will it last?) to work out before the decision is made.  however, mark schwann (the creative force behind tree hill) has dropped out of the melrose place spin off for the net, so he has plenty of time to devote to the show.  a wb/cw staple, smallville, may also be ending its run.  currently in its 8th season, the show has suffered some creative woes - an entirely new set of writers were brought in and series regular kristin kreuk headed into the sunset.  however, the net wants to keep the shows that draw its male audience, and smallville is one of two shows that do that.  the other show is supernatural.  while the ratings are on the rise for this thriller, its not the net's top gainer.  but, with the recent creative surge, the cee dub is apparently actively campaigning for it to stick around for at least one more season.  

jackie chan, the next karate kid

with the remake of the karate kid hitting theaters sometime in the near future (with will smith's son jaden in the lead - can you say stunt casting?), the "mr miagi" is said to be jackie chan.  the martial artist/actor has taken the role of the karate teaching mentor.  filming begins this summer in beijing.  to me, this movie is completely unnecessary.  the karate kid is an 80s movie and not exactly "remake-able." why not make a straight-to-dvd sequel or a movie similar in idea? it seems like too much, too soon to me.  and does anyone really want to see this? jaden will barely be 11 when he starts production on the film.  ralph macchio, the original "karate kid," was 22 when he started work on the series.  it just seems like jaden is too young.  this just seems to be a "pet project," being used to make him into a movie star/name...how about send him to disney? they know how to make kids stars.  and, with the launch of their "boy-themed" network disney: xd in february, they could definitely make him into a household name amongst the audience he's trying to reach.