CW spreads 'Gossip' to second season

By James Hibberd

March 4, 2008, ET

RELATED: CW downsizes, sheds comedy division

CORRECTED 10:28 a.m. PT March 4
UPDATED 1:51 p.m. PT March 3

The CW has picked up "Gossip Girl" for a second season -- but not "Reaper."

Following ABC's early series renewals last week, the CW announced Monday that it's renewing the soapy teen drama "Gossip Girl." The drama has quickly built a passionate young fan base during its freshman season, if not blockbuster ratings. The series has averaged a 1.2 rating among adults 18-49 and 2.6 million viewers.

The CW is also picking up the eighth run of "Smallville," the fourth season of "Supernatural," the sixth season of "One Tree Hill," a fourth round of "Everybody Hates Chris" and -- for cycles 11 and 12 -- "America's Next Top Model."

Notably absent from the list: the underperforming freshman comedy "Aliens in America" and critically praised supernatural dramedy "Reaper."

In the case of "Reaper," the CW might be waiting to see how the show performs when it returns to air five poststrike original episodes April 22.

The CW declined comment on the fate of the series. The only CW scripted shows considered firmly canceled this season are "Life Is Wild" and "Online Nation."

Last month, the CW declined to renew Friday night wrestling staple "WWE SmackDown!"

CW spreads 'Gossip' to second season

By James Hibberd

March 4, 2008, ET