In news that surprised nobody today, The CW canceled THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE.  However in news that stunned people The CW…

has decided that repeats of MELROSE PLACE will run in its spot.  MELROSE PLACE which has awed audiences with its amazing numbers (the last TBL had a .5 in the demo, the last MELROSE had a .7)  … no wait.  Look I’d understand moving SMALLVILLE back if the numbers from tonight weren’t great.  I’d even understand running a repeat of VAMPIRE DIARIES the night before a new episode.  That kind of makes sense.  However this is just as stupid (and pointless) as last season.

If those of you remember, last season The CW had PRIVILEGED which was a flop (at .8 average in the demo).  They let it run for 19 episodes, ordering 6 instead of the full back 9.  MELROSE PLACE is following the same path.  6 new scripts (but they haven’t been green lit) have been ordered.  That would make 19.  Last season The CW had another flop after ANTM too.  When they killed it they put reruns of 90210 in its place.  That helped make 90210 more profitable for them based on their arrangement.

We won’t find out until tomorrow if The CW is being stupid with the initial decision or smart.  If SMALLVILLE can pull in its normal 1.5 and 4M viewers I don’t see any uproar.  If SMALLVILLE crashes on Friday you know that Warners will be upset.