TV has lost its way. We’ve strayed from the whimsical, the improbable, and the downright unserious TV shows. Shows that are riddled with plot holes. Shows with hot actors and sizzling chemistry (Exhibit A: The Vampire Diaries). Yes, this is in reference to The CW’s catalog. With the network’s unfortunate downfall and dwindling original programs in its lineup, we lose a specific sector of television that brought in viewers in droves. During its heyday, The CW was the king of steamy young adult TV, but it also carved out a wider appeal for folks of all ages with its varied programming.
If any network is worthy of a revival, it’s The CW. Bring back bonkers TV – entertaining popcorn fare that might not be the best quality, but at least it helps you escape the world. Here are 10 CW shows that prove the network deserves a comeback.
‘iZombie’ – 5 Seasons (2015-2019)
If the theme song is already playing in your head, you’re not alone. Adapted from the DC comic book series of the same name, iZombie follows Olivia “Liv” Moore, a medical resident who becomes a zombie one fateful night. With her dreams of being a doctor in the rear view mirror, Liv takes on a job as a medical examiner, where she helps solve murders. She does this by eating the brains of murder victims, allowing her to temporarily absorb their memories and take on their personalities. Hands down, iZombie was my favorite CW series. At the time, it felt like a breath of fresh air for the network. It’s unrestrained in its campiness, and it isn’t afraid to get silly. It also introduced the world to the legendary Rahul Kohli as the love of my life, Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti. Rose McIver hones her comedic chops as Liv, but everyone in the main cast proves they’re made for comedy.
‘Jane the Virgin’ – 5 Seasons (2014-2019)
Back in the day, The CW didn’t shy away from TV series with truly ridiculous storylines. Exhibit A: Jane the Virgin. The show is a loose adaptation of the Venezuelan telenovela, Juana la virgen, and it follows Jane Gloriana, a young woman who becomes pregnant following an accidental artificial insemination during a routine check-up at the gynecologist. The premise alone tells you that you’re in for a wild ride. Jane the Virgin isn’t a series free from flaws, but it’s great if you love soapy, telenovela-style TV. Gina Rodriguez also delivers a powerhouse performance. Occasional narrative bumps aside, it’s a ridiculously entertaining romp from start to finish. Sometimes, all you need is to be entertained.
‘Superman & Lois’ – 4 Seasons (2021-2024)
“Hope” is the thing with a billowing red cape. Superman & Lois marked the end of the DC reign at The CW. It’s a superhero series, so there’s action, to be sure, but it also delivers a heaping helping of heart. There’s an air of hopefulness to Tyler Hoechlin’s portrayal of the iconic Kryptonian. Here, Superman/Clark Kent is a family man – he’s married to the love of his life, Lois Lane, and he has children. Superman & Lois gives viewers an intimate look into their family dynamic while the titular hero contends with greater threats outside his inner circle. The focus on Lois as well as Clark provides a more balanced story. If anything, this more grounded entry in The CW’s comic book fare offers something different and layered in its lineup.
‘Reign’ – 4 Seasons (2013-2017)
It’s Mary, Queen of Scots’ time to shine. Reign is heavy on the juicy, period drama romance aspect of the narrative and significantly lighter on historical accuracy. You know what? That’s okay. One doesn’t tune in for the accuracy, but for a hefty dose of escapism. The creatives freeing themselves from the restraints of historical accuracy allows for a more lighthearted coming-of-age story. Reign doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s cheesy and a boatload of fun. Adelaide Kane makes for a delightful Mary, to boot. Reign is pure, unadulterated CW, down to its bones.
‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ – 4 Seasons (2015-2019)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend was unlike anything else on TV during its tenure. The musical comedy starring Rachel Bloom tackled mental health in ways few shows do today. It inexplicably drew consistently low ratings throughout its four-season run despite cultivating a devoted following and its widespread critical acclaim. In Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Rachel Bunch abandons her job at a top-tier NYC law firm to follow her crush, Josh Chan, to West Covina, California, to start anew. The songs are laugh-inducing, catchy as all get-out, and well-performed. The show’s in-depth exploration of mental health still profoundly resonates, even seven years after its conclusion. Bloom drives this ship with her compelling performance along with the rest of the talented cast. The fact that The CW took a gamble on a show so vastly different from its usual programming speaks volumes.
‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ – 7 Seasons (2016-2022)
Shows about time travel are never out of style in my book. Arrowverse series DC’s Legends of Tomorrow broke the mold as a more lighthearted series among its darker DC contemporaries. Throughout its admittedly rocky run, the show morphed into a meta-humor-infused comedy that subverted superhero media expectations. It’s outlandish and absolutely silly in the best way, complete with a captivating on-screen chemistry between the cast. Hot take: It’s the best Arrowverse show because it leaned into its inherent wackiness. There’s a lost art to this kind of TV. This underrated show spent too long flying under the radar, but we should thank the CW gods for giving it a platform to shine in all its weirdo glory.
‘The Vampire Diaries’ – 8 Seasons (2009-2017)
The Vampire Diaries is the pinnacle of the angst-ridden vampire teen drama genre. It wasn’t aiming for quality, but it was certainly shooting at the sky and seeing what lands. Based on L.J. Smith’s book series, The Vampire Diaries aired during the sparkling heights of the Twilight craze and certainly benefited from its popularity. It follows Elena Gilbert, a teenager in Mystic Falls, Virginia, who becomes entangled in a love triangle with Damon and Stefan Salvatore, two vampire brothers. Mystic Falls attracts all kinds of supernatural creatures, and the series itself served as a backdoor to The Originals, a spin-off focused on the ancient and vampiric Mikaelson family. I think The Originals is a better show, quality-wise, but we need series like The Vampire Diaries – turn-off-your-brain fodder that simply entertains.
‘The 100’ – 7 Seasons (2014-2020)
Post-apocalyptic YA dramas were all the rage in the 2010s thanks to The Hunger Games franchise. Enter The 100, an adaptation of the book series by Kass Morgan. It zeroes in on 100 juvenile delinquents who are sent back to Earth to repopulate it, 97 years after a nuclear event wipes out civilization. The 100 is filled to the brim with action, adventure, and a deep examination of morality in a dystopian world. It’s not perfect, but it’s damn addicting, to be sure. And because it’s The CW, it’s a show chock-full of over-the-top drama and teen romance. The 100‘s forte is character development, so if that’s your thing, strap in for a fun ride. We used to be a proper society when post-apocalyptic YA like this show ruled the roost.
‘Riverdale’ – 7 Seasons (2017-2023)
If you say “Riverdale” three times, Jughead Jones will materialize to tell you how weird he is. Riverdale is an experience. When you sit down to watch its murder mystery-infused freshman season, you’ll never guess where the overarching narrative will take you. Each season feels like a different show. Much like The Vampire Diaries, Riverdale wasn’t interested in being “good.” However, it was certainly the launchpad for the main cast’s post-Riverdale careers. That aside, we need more shows that swing for the fences like this, even if they crash and burn. Few series are pitch-perfect from beginning to end, anyway. Let shows like Riverdale sing their awkward songs (there’s a Community reference for those with eyes to see it).
‘Supernatural’ – 15 Seasons (2005-2020)
Keep calm and carry on, my wayward son. The CW’s longest running staple came to an end in 2020. Supernatural ran for a staggering 15 seasons, and boy, was it a wild ride. Was it a perfect tenure? No, but its dynamic characters, penchant for meta humor, out-of-the-box storylines, and strong performances make it a joy to watch. The ironclad bond between Sam and Dean Winchester is the glue that holds it all together. Supernatural doesn’t stick the landing in my eyes, but there are a whopping 327 episodes in its catalog, so there’s plenty to watch to erase that finale from your mind. It’s equal parts humor and heart, and its themed episodes are the best of the bunch. The CW needs a flagship series like this to anchor it.
What are your favorite CW shows? Do you think the network deserves a comeback? Let us know in the comments.
- Release Date
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2005 – 2020
- Network
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The WB, The CW
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
