CW Network Aims For Hip With Gossip, Devilish Drama

One year after cobbling together a lineup from mostly old and borrowed programming, the CW changed its tune Thursday. The network, a combination of the old WB and UPN, announced a 2007-08 schedule that includes six new shows. Much of its lineup is aimed at young, hip viewers.

Only one series is purposely getting "older," and it wasn't the one nearly everyone expected. Veteran drama "One Tree Hill" will return in early 2008 with the story line magically advanced by four years and the major characters having graduated from college. Ironically, that was one scenario that the producers of "Veronica Mars" were tinkering with in hopes of extending the life of the low-rated, cult-hit drama about a coed who's also a private investigator. Instead, "Mars" was canceled.

So, goodbye girl detective, hello "Gossip Girl." Based on the popular young adult novels about teens at a posh Manhattan prep school, that catty drama will air at 9 p.m. Wednesdays, after "America's Next Top Model." On Tuesdays, it's "Reaper," a "devilish new drama" about a 21-year-old slacker who learns his parents accidentally sold his soul to the devil ("24's" Ray Wise) before he was born.

Monday's comedy lineup will largely remain intact, although "All of Us," is gone. In its place comes "Aliens in America," a potentially provocative sitcom about a 16-year-old boy whose family hosts an exchange student --- who turns out to be a Pakistani Muslim. It will air at 8:30 p.m., right after "Everybody Hates Chris," where co-creator/executive producer/narrator Chris Rock will make his first-ever guest appearance.