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Originally posted by WlcmInPlainSight90210:
Unfortunately, TV Guide is reporting that CW passed on Austin Golden Hour. I think the new shows picked up will either be reality shows to fill in the gaps or comedies to pair with the two on Friday.
I’m not totally convinced that “Austin Golden Hour” (reportedly re-titled “Pulse”) is actually dead. The series continues to have several factors working in its favor.
1. The CW has not announced any midseason plans, save for “Reaper” replacing the departing “Smallville”, even though Dawn Ostroff continues to keep the possibility of a ninth season open. Surely the netlet will have midseason offerings, even if they are only reality based. What happens if “Surviving the Filthy Rich” falters? What will replace “Stylista” when its cycle is complete? Like the other networks, CW is likely waiting until later in the summer, perhaps around the time of the TV Critics Association Summer Press Tour to announce their midseason plans.
2. “Austin”/“Pulse” is from Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment production company, the same man responsible for the number one series on television: “American Idol”. Surely the CW would want to get into business with Fuller. Perhaps Fuller could also use his talents to launch a new reality series at the CW?
3. Also behind the scenes is CBS Paramount, which is the producing partner of 19 Entertainment. As co-owner of the CW, surely Ostroff and company would give priority to CBS and Warner Bros. produced series (even if they won’t admit so in public).
4. Lastly, Justin Hartley is attached to the project. Hartley has been in business with the CW before it even existed. Hartley’s first experience with the netlet was during the final year that the WB existed. The former daytime soap star was cast as Arthur Curry, a.k.a. Aquaman in the self-titled quasi-“Smallville” spin-off which Ostroff passed on during the inaugural CW season. Since then, Hartley has recurred on “Smallville” as the Green Arrow and been attached to the failed comedy pilot “8 Days a Week”. Since Hartley is still under his talent holding deal with the CW, the network obviously wants to put him into a vehicle that will allow him to be front and center as opposed to playing second fiddle as he does on “Smallville”.
