As I was typing up the below article the news hit  that TBL was being cancelled only 2 episodes in. Wow. Maybe Dawn heard my cries?

After two episodes, The CW has canceled Ashton Kutcher’s scripted drama “The Beautiful Life.”

Wednesday’s episode was seen by just 1 million viewers and generated a 0.5 rating in the adult demo.

Cast and crew found out today when they were filming on episode 7. Looks like 4 episodes will go unaired as the show has been pulled from the schedule.

So which is going to be the first to go – The Beautiful Life or Melrose Place?

You died on The O.C. and now you killed The Beautiful Life. Way to go, Mischa Barton!

You died on The O.C. and now you killed The Beautiful Life. Way to go, Mischa Barton!

Given the fact that The CW ordered 6 additional scripts (not episodes, scripts) I’d place a strong wager that TBL will be the first go (though I believe unless Melrose Place picks up, it will get a solid 18-19 episode order like Privileged last season and end there). But what does CW have to replace it?

On tap is a one hour drama called Life UneXpected (title characters name is Lux…get it?) that is very WBish and might just capture the same audience that tuned in and loved Dawson’s Creek and all the soapy teen dramas from the WB era. They even went as far as to bring back Shiri Appleby (Roswell) and Kerr Smith (Dawson’s Creek). Since Gossip Girl and 90210 story lines tend to cater more towards the rich demographic this really feels like CW going back to their WB roots. Maybe Dawn Ostroff is trying to extend her stay a wee bit longer on the network and not get the boot that is eventually heading her way.

Besides that what does the CW have planned for mid season? A bunch of 30 minute reality-show fodder that is sure to not be a hit for the network. How about Blonde Charity Mafia (pushed back from a summer 2008 premiere since it was soooo good *roll eyes*) which tells the tale of three 20-something women in Washington, D.C. who party and go to fancy parties. Yawn. Thankfully only 6 segments of this stinker were produced so this one won’t stink up the airwaves that long.

Next up is the recently announced Fly Girls which deals with a handful of women who work for Virgin American Airlines as flight attendants. Huh? Who the hell wants to watch that? Have you ever heard any young child say “Mommy, daddy, when I grow up I wanna work for the airlines and hand out peanuts to irate people as they moan about having to sit to close to a crying baby”. CW, what were you thinking?

Finally, and I’m not making this up, CW has already started yet another reality show that deals with “real-life Gossip Girl” Tinsley Mortimer who gust starred last year on, yeah you guessed it, Gossip Girl! She’s a rich and famous gal who designs clothing and other little trinkets. Like Fly Girls, CW has ordered 8, 30 minute segments.

Let me ask you this question faithful readers – what would you rather watch (if you had to – life or death) – a one hour episode of the ratings-starved Melrose Place or two of the above three shows?

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