Network Upfronts — The CW

This week is network Upfronts — a time when the networks unveil their schedule for the fall, including what shows are returning, what new shows have been added, and where everything will run in the fall. As these presentations are made, I'll be offering my thoughts on each network's offering.

Now we come to The CW, the little network that still can't find an identity. Once upon a time there were six networks — with the WB and the UPN vying for a slice of the pie. When the two combined to form The CW, it seemed like the perfect solution to capturing the youth demographic.

It hasn't panned out that way. While The CW has a couple shows that have found an audience — albeit an audience that would make a cable network beam but an actual network cry — it still lacks a coherent identity. The network appears to be aiming at the 13-24 demographic, but sometimes you wonder what makes them say yes to some of these shows.

Best Pickup: In this space, I'm going to give the network credit for canceling a show rather than saving one. A few years ago, riding the wave of "Gossip Girl," the network got nostalgic and rebooted "90210." It was a quaint experiment for a couple seasons, but this year the show posted numbers that would make the programming director at USA start updating his resume. It had to go. Some thought the network would offer it a shortened final season, but they knew it was time to pull the plug and did. Bravo.

Best Scheduling Move: "Arrow" was not only its best new show, but one of the best shows on the network. The CW was smart to keep it in its timeslot and use the eyeballs that gravitate toward "Arrow" as a launch pad for another of its promising new shows.

Oddest Scheduling Move: The new Monday night makes no sense. "Hart of Dixie" wants to be "The Gilmore Girls" so bad, but it's not quite there. "Beauty and the Beast" just wants to stay on the air. They have little in common aside from being bubble shows. Now they're paired together...

Most Promising New Show: Only three to choose from here, and I'm likely not the target demographic for any of them. Still, I'm going with "The Tomorrow People," an interesting sci-fi premise that is being rebirthed from the remains of a British show in the 1970s. If it works, it could be something different.

Least Promising Show: Do teens in America in 2013 care about Mary, Queen of Scots? I doubt it, but that didn't stop The CW from creating a new teen soap about her. They get an A for thinking outside the box, but I don't really see how this show works.