This show has a lot of connections to previous shows I’ve enjoyed. I’ve read that the creator of Life Unexpected has worked with Winnie Holzman (creator of the best TV series EVER, My So-Called Life), Shiri Appleby was on Roswell (created by Jason Katims, who wrote for My So-Called Life), and Kerr Smith was on Dawson’s Creek, (hey did you know that the creator of D’Creek, Kevin Williamson, was encouraged by The WB to watch My So-Called Life? No foolin’, and you can see the influence it had on his own show, although he based it on his life too).

Okay, so clearly I have high hopes for Life Unexpected.

Yeah it’s ridiculous that Shiri’s graduated into mom roles already, but that’s Hollywood for you. This is why older actresses have a harder time getting work. They always want their moms to look young and sexy… and I suppose it’s the only way The CW would allow any adults/parents on one of their shows at all. (Just look at how they phased out most of the parents on One Tree Hill… I stopped watching when Moira Kelly, my only reason for tuning in – she was so great in The Cutting Edge – departed. Same with Smallville…they lost some of their best actors when they got rid of Clark’s parents and Lionel Luthor. But all they care about is youth and eye candy. But I digress.)

I’ll try not to get too excited ’cause, hey if The CW was really behind this show, would it be a midseason replacement? And sure it’s already critically acclaimed, but if The CW cared about *that*, why did they cancel Everwood? Negative reviews of Gossip Girl haven’t mattered to them either. But I suppose there’s a chance the execs have decided they have room for critical darlings after all… it’s not like any of their shows can compete in the ratings with the big networks, so why *not* be satisfied with critical acclaim and modest ratings?