CW Fall TV Preview Report

The CW, home of my guilty pleasures. Generally known as being a very teen-centric station, the CW has had a rocky first couple of years (with all of one of their pilots lasting more than a handful of episodes). Let's take a look at what new brain-stimulating programs they have in store for us this fall.

Aliens in America
The Premise: A well intentioned mom goes one step too far when she actually imports a friend for her shy, ostracized son, Justin. Rather than the blonde, instantly popular, football player type she had envisioned, the family becomes a host to a Muslim kid named Raja (Adhir Kalyan) from a small town in Pakistan. I guess there's nothing like feeling out of place and being socially awkward to bridge the cultural gap because the two boys quickly become friends. Justin's entrepreneur father Gary (Scott Patterson) is mostly excited by the paycheck that the family gets for hosting a foreign teenager, while his super popular sister Claire (Lindsey Shaw) is too focused on her new boyfriend for their houseguest to even register.

My Take: This looks kind of cute and potentially funny. I think I have to watch at least some of it, if only to fill the void that Luke Danes left in my sad lonely heart. I'm curious to see how political they make it.

Lasting Potential: 7/10
When's this on? Mondays @ 8:30/7:30c

Reaper
The Premise: Because his parents feel guilty for selling his soul to the devil, Sam (Bret Harrison) has always gotten away with pretty much anything. He led the ideal slacker life; no school, crappy job, living at home. Until, that is, Satan (Ray Wise) turns up in the back of his station wagon to let him know about his new job as the devil's personal bounty hunter. Although reluctant to accept his weird new lifestyle, Satan persuades Sam that not doing what the devil tells you to do is a very bad idea indeed. With the aid of his sarcastic slacker pal "Sock" (Tyler Labine) and a Dirt-Devil mini-vacuum, Sam begins tracking down escaped evil souls and sending them back to hell.