Remember such CW comedy classics as Aliens in America?  Girlfriends?  Everybody Hates Chris?  Remember how The CW hasn’t had scripted comedy fare on it’s schedule since EHC ended it’s run in May 2009?  Well that all changes today.


The CW Seed, the netlet’s online digital channel launched in 2012 that’s produced some interesting web based entertainment, has been an intended vehicle to test the waters for new comedies.  With the success of unscripted Whose Line Is It Anyway? comedy fare has become a focus again.  CW President Mark Pedowitz now thinks the time is right. 

Backpackers, a Canadian produced web series, has been given a primetime series order, the first CW Seed show to get that honor.  It’s about two twenty-something friends who backpack across Europe after one of them is dumped by his girlfriend.  It stars Dillon Casey and Noah Reid.  It isn’t the highest rated show on CW Seed, but it’s good enough where they don’t have to put tons of money into a pilot and they can start with something familiar to some viewers.   

Backpackers has been given a ten episode series order, which is plenty of opportunity for exposure in this comedy scarce lineup.  If anything it’ll be an adequate companion to Whose Line Is It Anyway? No premiere date has been announced, and there’s no indication whether it will be part of the summer lineup or have a place on the Fall schedule (Friday seems to be the only night free). 

Welcome back scripted comedy to The CW!  You’ve been missed.

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