2012 Upfront Questions, The CW

Last year, I did a series of "Upfront Questions" posts during the pre-upfront week, and I used those questions plus the revealed schedules for "Upfront Answers" during upfront week. I liked that format, so I'm gonna try generally the same thing this year.

This network's upfront happens just one week from today!

Other Upfront Questions: NBC | Fox | ABC | CBS | The CW | General

For another reference, see the April CW True Power Rankings.

MONDAY

2011-12 Schedule
8:00 - Gossip Girl
9:00 - Hart of Dixie

Question: How aggressive is the CW on the toughest night?

It's easy to say the CW should just overhaul everything, but since they don't have unlimited promotional dollars, they have to choose their battles. Personally, Monday night is not a battle I'd choose for this network. Too much competition. I would like to see returning shows like 90210 and Hart of Dixie scheduled here, with perhaps the last Gossip Girl season rotating in at midseason. I have a feeling they may not be able to resist a Hart pairing with fellow medical newbie First Cut, though.

TUESDAY

2011-12 Schedule 
8:00 - 90210
9:00 - Ringer / The LA Complex

Question: How aggressive is the CW on the easiest night?

Tuesday is the battle I would choose, because the big four combined are so weak here. I staunchly believe that the CW should put two promising, buzzworthy, new shows that have built-in audiences together and try to make a mark. My picks for this night have been Arrow and The Selection, although there seems to be some real hesitation about even picking up The Selection. Ultimately, it's probably not worth the effort trying to come up with what the second new show would be, since the CW will probably just throw on like 90210 and some random new show like they did last year.

WEDNESDAY

2011-12 Schedule
8:00 - H8R / One Tree Hill
9:00 - America's Next Top Model / Remodeled

Question: How does the CW react to the Top Model disaster?

Only about four years ago, Top Model was getting numbers that would comfortably get it renewed on the big four today. Now, it's getting numbers that don't really even warrant renewal on the CW, and this will be the third straight cycle that's down by 35%+ year-to-year! It's renewed for one more cycle, but I believe it should be the last one. I'm also not totally sold it should even stay on Wednesday, although if it really is just one more cycle, they may bite the bullet and air it here.

THURSDAY

2011-12 Schedule
8:00 - The Vampire Diaries
9:00 - The Secret Circle

Question: Where does the CDub now go with its only legitimate lead-in?

I'm starting to believe that the CW is actually better off putting new shows at 8/7c; I think the local programming options may be better lead-ins than most shows the CW puts on in primetime. Of course, there's one exception: TVD. The show has led into a new show each of the last two years and not created a really legit success yet, but it's not like they're in a position to just give up. I think Beauty and the Beast looks like a pretty compatible pairing here.

FRIDAY

2011-12 Schedule 
8:00 - Nikita
9:00 - Supernatural

Question: How to fill out the tenth hour?

Whatever joins Supernatural on Friday is really filling the last timeslot on the network. I could see Nikita here. I could see The Secret Circle here. I also wonder if there's a chance they get super creative and move Top Model over to this evening for its last hurrah. I would not put a new show on this night.