Save One Show: BEAUTY AND THE BEAST

Every TV season there is always one show that strikes a chord with the fans; one show that moves fans, not only by its compelling or captivating storylines and/or interesting characters but also by its compelling nature, holding the rapt attention of its viewers week after week.

Next month, the “suits” will be making that all-important decision about which shows will remain on the schedule and which ones will not. Many shows have already received the good news of being renewed, but one show in particular has yet to receive that news: The CW’s Beauty And the Beast

In days past, some of the leading TV-based magazines like TV Guide or Entertainment Weekly would select one show to champion for each TV season; and I firmly believe that Beauty And the Beast should be that show. Why, you may ask?

Well, for one, the show has barely been holding its own in the overall ratings, earning 3.2 million viewers during its series premiere, but since that time (16 episodes later) the show is averaging 1.8 million viewers each week. Yes, that can be seen as very low – in comparison to the numbers for dramas of its kinds on the major networks – but for The CW that average isn’t too horrible. But it hasn’t been enough to spur the powers that be at the network to give the show a season order.

And while the show has garnered a compassionate fan base – known as Beasties online (you should see the passion of these fans on Twitter, it is quite something to behold!) – the “suits” at the network have not granted the show a renewal.

For those who need a refresher, this version of Beauty And the Beast is loosely based on the 1980’s series of the same name with Kristin Kreuk (of Smallville fame) starring as Catherine Chandler, who is actually a NYPD Detective and New Zealand actor Jay Ryan (from Terra Nova and the mini-series Top of the Lake) is Vincent Keller, who is a NY-based doctor who enlisted in the armed services after his brothers were killed on 9-11 and then became part of a top-secret military experiment to make super-soldiers, making him into a “Beast” when his emotions are heightened.

Add into the mix J.T. Forbes (fan favorite Austin Basis from Life Unexpected), Vincent’s childhood best friend, who has been by Vincent’s side for the past 10 years, providing him with a safe place to hide – as Vincent is being hunted by the nefarious government agency called Muirfield, who was the driving force behind the experiments made on Vincent and the other members of his platoon.

Then there is Catherine’s partner, Detective Tess Vargas (relative newcomer Nina Lisandrello), who until recently was kept in the dark about Vincent’s secret and their boss, Lt. Joe Bishop (Brian White from Moonlight and Men of a Certain Age) as well as medical examiner Evan Marks (Max Brown). And, on the homefront, there is Catherine’s younger sister Heather (Nicole Gale Anderson from Make It or Break It).

The show comes from executive producers Sherri Cooper and Jennifer Levin (both from Brothers & Sisters) along with Brian Peterson and Kelly Souders (both from Smallville) as showrunners.

As a fan of the show myself, I hope that the powers that be at The CW will make a fair decision next month at the annual upfront presentation, allowing the show to continue for at least one more season.

If you would like to learn more about the show, you can visit The CW’s official website for Beauty And the Beast here. You can also follow the show at Facebook here. And, among the numerous fan sites for the show, you can visit here to learn about the music on the show and much, much more.