Schadenfreude is a german word defined as pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others. And while we wouldn’t go as far to say that we derive pleasure from the paltry 1.15 million viewers the network that canceled LIFE UNEXPECTED managed to attract to last night’s premiere of SHEDDING FOR THE WEDDING, we couldn’t help but smile. We also couldn’t help but wonder what actor Stephen Collins (NO ORDINARY FAMILY) thought of his former home (7th HEAVEN spent a decade on the WB before ending its run with a final season on the CW) and the downward spiral the network seems to have taken since completely neglecting their family friendly WB roots.
“You know, we were very lucky that that for 10 of the 11 years 7th HEAVEN was on the WB Network and only the last season was on the CW. Let me put it this way, it was pretty clear to us very early during that last season that we were not high on their list of priorities,” explained Collins during a phone interview today to tout the slew of incredible upcoming NO ORDINARY FAMILY episode (more on that later!) “The message always unspoken was we want more shows like GOSSIP GIRL, thank you very much 7th HEAVEN you’re a sweet show but please get out of the way.”
More noteworthy still was that even its final season, after being shifted from the Monday at 8PM timeslot where the show had spent the better part of 10 years, HEAVEN still managed to attract 3.3 million viewer. Numbers that by today’s standards would have the show right up their with THE VAMPIRE DIARIES as one of the CW’s most popular.
“They [shows like GOSSIP GIRL, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES] seem be feeling a niche and certainly seem to be buzz worthy, but if you look at the numbers I don’t know how it works,” explained Collins. “I think it’s very sweet for [7th HEAVEN creator] Brenda Hampton to be able to go over [to ABC Family] and do SECRET LIFE OF THE AMERICAN TEENAGER and double the ratings of GOSSIP GIRL because I’m pretty sure that network passed on that show.” 
For more with NO ORDINARY FAMILY’s Stephen Collins, including some truly stellar spoilers as to what’s upcoming for the nefarious Dr. King, as well as his association with the equally mysterious Mrs. X, be sure to tune into theTVaddict.com on Tuesday.