By Lynn Elber, Television Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --The CW network is pushing the traditional fall start of its new season to January 2021, a response to the industry-wide production shutdown caused by the coronavirus.
Instead of debuting new and returning CW series this fall, the network said Thursday that it plans to air the final episodes of "Supernatural" amid a mix of unscripted and acquired series including "Swamp Thing" from the DC Universe streaming service.
Mark Pedowitz, the network's chairman and CEO, said he anticipated that production could resume by late summer or early fall on the final two episodes of "Supernatural," adding to the five already completed.
"If not, we will then become very flexible and rearrange our schedule," he told a teleconference.
Other networks also are dealing with fallout from the production halt forced by the pandemic, with some delaying their fall schedule announcements.
The studios making CW's other series have targeted a September production start to allow for their planned January debuts, Pedowitz said. Asked if getting back to work by then was realistic in light of the pandemic, he replied, "As realistic as anything else is at this point."
"All American," "Black Lightning," "The Flash" and "Riverdale" are among the network's returning series.
The four new series are "Superman & Lois," starring Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch as working parents Clark Kent, aka Superman, and journalist Lois Lane; "Walker," a new take on "Walker, Texas Ranger" starring Jared Padalecki ("Supernatural"); "Kung Fu," a revamp of the original series with Olivia Liang as the martial arts hero, and "The Republic of Sarah," about a school teacher (Stella Baker) fighting a mining company to save her town.
Besides "Swamp Thing," the fall lineup also will include the Canadian investigative drama "Coroner"; a reimagined fairy tale series, "Tell Me a Story"; the British comedy "Dead Pixels," and "Penn & Teller: Fool Us."
CW's prime-time schedule for January 2020:
Monday
8 p.m. – "All American"
9 p.m. – "Black Lightning"
Tuesday
8 p.m. – "The Flash"
9 p.m. – "Superman & Lois"
Wednesday
8 p.m. – "Riverdale"
9 p.m. – "Nancy Drew"
Thursday
8 p.m. – "Walker"
9 p.m. – "Legacies"
Friday
8 p.m. – "Penn & Teller: Fool Us"
9 p.m. – "Whose Line Is It Anyway?"
Sunday
8:00 p.m. -"Batwoman"
9:00 p.m. – "Charmed"
“Scandal” cast will reunite for online script reading for hurricane relief in western North Carolina
The cast of ABC's hit political drama "Scandal" may need to brush up on their snappy, speedy delivery known as "Scandal-pace," because they're reuniting for a good cause. Its stars including Kerry Washington, Tony Goldwyn and Bellamy Young will take part in a live virtual script reading on Nov. 17 to raise money for hurricane relief in western North Carolina.
Beginning Friday, fans can go online and donate to reserve a spot for the online reading. Proceeds will benefit United Way of North Carolina. Everyone who donates will be able to take part in a virtual pre-event with the cast and Shonda Rhimes will give an introduction.
Additional guest stars will also be announced. The online fundraising platform Prizeo is also holding a contest where one person who donates online via their site will be selected to read a role from the script with the actors. The winner should not worry about the "Scandal"-pace, assured Young over Zoom.
"Whomever the lucky reader is can read at whatever pace they want," she said.
Young, who played Mellie Young, the first lady and later Republican presidential nominee on "Scandal," was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She came up with the idea for the effort with a friend and took it to her fellow "Scandal" actors, who all jumped on board. Young said this is the first script reading the cast has all done together since the show ended after seven seasons in 2018.
Which episode they will be reading has not been announced yet.
Young said it's "been devastating" to see so many parts of her hometown badly damaged by Hurricane Helene, which ravaged western North Carolina one month ago.
To research the best use for donations, Young spoke with numerous political leaders, including North... Read More