New Life for "7th Heaven"

**RebelMan** · 05-13-2006, 09:37 PM

Source: Yahoo News
Saturday May 13 1:35 AM ET
By Natalie Finn

Do you believe in Heaven?

Mediaweek reported Friday that 7th Heaven, which aired its 10th season finale (and what was thought to be its series ender) Monday, is coming back for an 11th season of kid-friendly fun in the fall. CW network insiders told the publication that it wants at least 13 new episodes of the Camden family saga, but execs refused to comment when asked about the purported deal.

After finding out that Simon and Rose (David Gallagher and Sarah Thompson) didn't tie the knot and that the three eldest Camden sibs--Matt (Barry Watson), Mary (Jessica Biel) and Lucy (Beverley Mitchell)--are all expecting twins with their significant others, we're so there!

The WB started playing a dirge for its top-rated (and most expensive) show in November, but rumors that 7th Heaven might be revived on the CW when it launched in September persisted.

As recently as last week, series creator Brenda Hampton had been saying that the deal was off the table because the budget to produce 7th Heaven and pay its sizable cast was more than the new network wanted to spend. At the same time, Hampton also told reporters that she would love to take the series further if possible.

Dare we say that she must be in seventh heaven right now?

Major players Mitchell, Gallagher, Stephen Collins (dad), Catharine Hicks (mom), Mackenzie Rosman (Ruthie), and George Stultz (Kevin Kinkirk) are all expected to return.

If this announcement is the real deal, 7th Heaven joins UPN's America's Next Top Model, Everybody Hates Chris and WWE Friday Night Smackdown!, as well as the WB's Gilmore Girls and Smallville, as official additions to the CW fall schedule.

Series still up in the air include Veronica Mars, Supernatural, Everwood, One Tree Hill and Reba.

The WB and UPN networks announced in January that they were closing up shop and merging to form the CW (C for CBS, which owns UPN, and B for, well, the Time Warner-owned WB).

The CW is expected to officially announce its full 2006-07 lineup, including what the stars hold for 7th Heaven, May 18 at the network upfronts.

**Still Dirrty** · 05-15-2006, 05:38 PM

I'm so happy they decided to renew it. I love that show.

Mat · 05-15-2006, 05:42 PM

This show needs to stay gone, I was ticked that it was renewed, if they keep this and not renew one tree hill, there is something wrong.

Let this crap RIP, jeez....

**RebelMan** · 05-19-2006, 04:58 PM

How "7th Heaven" Was Resurrected
By Rick Porter
Friday, May 19, 2006
07:46 AM PT

It's not entirely clear when executives at The CW decided that "7th Heaven" deserved another year on the air.

The best that anyone could pin down Thursday at the new network's upfront was that sometime between the flurry of promotion for the long-running show's alleged "series finale" and Thursday's show, the network decided it would be a good idea.

"We talked about it initially, and it sort of fell apart, then we talked again," says Dawn Ostroff, The CW's head of programming. And, after considering the show's ratings, its cost and the rest of The CW's schedule, the show was reborn.

The series about a minister (Stephen Collins) and his large family was the most-watched show on either The WB or UPN this season, even before the loudly hyped last episode brought in 7 million viewers. Prior to that it was drawing about 5.2 million viewers per week.

The economics of making "7th Heaven" -- a prime reason WB executives gave for its pending cancellation in January, before The CW was announced -- will also change some under the new network. CBS Paramount Network TV produces the show, and CBS is a half-owner of the network, which Ostroff says helped ease the way to a deal. (She also says most of the cast will be back next season, as will series creator Brenda Hampton.)

"I can't go into all the finances, but because it was our own company, we were able to figure out how we can make deals that make sense for everybody," Ostroff says.

Finally, Ostroff wants to give "Runaway," The CW's lone new drama for fall, a strong lead-in. The show follows a family who become fugitives when the father (Donnie Wahlberg) is wrongly accused of a crime.

"We looked at 'Runaway,' which is at its core a family drama, and thought ['7th Heaven'] would be a great fit," Ostroff says. "So everything jus kind of came together."

05-13-2006, 09:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
RebelMan AgEnT oF ChAoS Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Web Posts: 10,942 My Profile	New Life for "7th Heaven" Source: Yahoo News Saturday May 13 1:35 AM ET By Natalie Finn Do you believe in Heaven? Mediaweek reported Friday that 7th Heaven, which aired its 10th season finale (and what was thought to be its series ender) Monday, is coming back for an 11th season of kid-friendly fun in the fall. CW network insiders told the publication that it wants at least 13 new episodes of the Camden family saga, but execs refused to comment when asked about the purported deal. After finding out that Simon and Rose (David Gallagher and Sarah Thompson) didn't tie the knot and that the three eldest Camden sibs--Matt (Barry Watson), Mary (Jessica Biel) and Lucy (Beverley Mitchell)--are all expecting twins with their significant others, we're so there! The WB started playing a dirge for its top-rated (and most expensive) show in November, but rumors that 7th Heaven might be revived on the CW when it launched in September persisted. As recently as last week, series creator Brenda Hampton had been saying that the deal was off the table because the budget to produce 7th Heaven and pay its sizable cast was more than the new network wanted to spend. At the same time, Hampton also told reporters that she would love to take the series further if possible. Dare we say that she must be in seventh heaven right now? Major players Mitchell, Gallagher, Stephen Collins (dad), Catharine Hicks (mom), Mackenzie Rosman (Ruthie), and George Stultz (Kevin Kinkirk) are all expected to return. If this announcement is the real deal, 7th Heaven joins UPN's America's Next Top Model, Everybody Hates Chris and WWE Friday Night Smackdown!, as well as the WB's Gilmore Girls and Smallville, as official additions to the CW fall schedule. Series still up in the air include Veronica Mars, Supernatural, Everwood, One Tree Hill and Reba. The WB and UPN networks announced in January that they were closing up shop and merging to form the CW (C for CBS, which owns UPN, and B for, well, the Time Warner-owned WB). The CW is expected to officially announce its full 2006-07 lineup, including what the stars hold for 7th Heaven, May 18 at the network upfronts.

05-15-2006, 05:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Still Dirrty Administrator Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Holland Posts: 6,247 My Profile	I'm so happy they decided to renew it. I love that show.

05-15-2006, 05:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
Mat Senior Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Los Angeles, California Posts: 1,030	This show needs to stay gone, I was ticked that it was renewed, if they keep this and not renew one tree hill, there is something wrong. Let this crap RIP, jeez....

05-19-2006, 04:58 PM	#4 (permalink)
RebelMan AgEnT oF ChAoS Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: The Web Posts: 10,942 My Profile	How "7th Heaven" Was Resurrected By Rick Porter Friday, May 19, 2006 07:46 AM PT It's not entirely clear when executives at The CW decided that "7th Heaven" deserved another year on the air. The best that anyone could pin down Thursday at the new network's upfront was that sometime between the flurry of promotion for the long-running show's alleged "series finale" and Thursday's show, the network decided it would be a good idea. "We talked about it initially, and it sort of fell apart, then we talked again," says Dawn Ostroff, The CW's head of programming. And, after considering the show's ratings, its cost and the rest of The CW's schedule, the show was reborn. The series about a minister (Stephen Collins) and his large family was the most-watched show on either The WB or UPN this season, even before the loudly hyped last episode brought in 7 million viewers. Prior to that it was drawing about 5.2 million viewers per week. The economics of making "7th Heaven" -- a prime reason WB executives gave for its pending cancellation in January, before The CW was announced -- will also change some under the new network. CBS Paramount Network TV produces the show, and CBS is a half-owner of the network, which Ostroff says helped ease the way to a deal. (She also says most of the cast will be back next season, as will series creator Brenda Hampton.) "I can't go into all the finances, but because it was our own company, we were able to figure out how we can make deals that make sense for everybody," Ostroff says. Finally, Ostroff wants to give "Runaway," The CW's lone new drama for fall, a strong lead-in. The show follows a family who become fugitives when the father (Donnie Wahlberg) is wrongly accused of a crime. "We looked at 'Runaway,' which is at its core a family drama, and thought ['7th Heaven'] would be a great fit," Ostroff says. "So everything jus kind of came together."

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