Fall TV: Is Reaper Alive and Kicking?
Reaper's Tyler Labine and Bret Harrison
Reaper may live to see another day — even though one of its lead actors has booked a new job, it stands as the CW's lowest-rated hour-long show, and the netlet is eyeing several sexed-up pilots (the new Melrose Place included) for the fall.
Reaper, which wraps up its second season on May 26, could get plucked from the ashes if ABC Studios, which produces it, is able to hammer out a deal to air it as a syndicated series, sources tell the Hollywood Reporter. Such a move could land it a Sunday berth on the CW, which recently revealed its plan to turn that night's programming over to affiliate stations.
Although talks are ongoing between ABC Studios and CW affiliates, Reaper's salvation could still be a long shot. Tyler Labine (who plays Sock opposite Brett Harrison's Sam) has the lead in Sons of Tucson, a new Fox comedy recently picked up for the fall. In theory, Reaper has priority for Labine, but is contractual obligation might be forfeited if the series is syndicated instead of attached to a network.
Another question is who would run the show: Creators Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters have signed a two-year deal with 20th Century Fox TV that calls for them to leave Reaper.
Finally, there would be monetary issues, since syndicated series typically work off smaller budgets than network shows.