The Upfronts: OMG!!! Skinny CW Chicks Rule!

Two new shows designed to boost the self esteem of young girls everywhere cracked the skinny CW schedule for 2010-11. Hellcats is a coming of age story (what else) about a pre-law stunner (Aly Michalka, left with Robbie Jones) who has to become a cheerleader to get her degree. Seriously. Eat your heart out, Sue Sylvester. “Give me an S! Give me a U! Give me an E! What does it spell? Louder!” At least she didn’t drop her briefs to become a solicitor. Tom Welling, Superman from Smallville (back for a 45th season) is among the producers.
Nikita is about a deeply troubled teenager who is rescued by the CIA and turned into a dangerously thin, bikini-wearing spy. Maggie Q (right) stars and, yes, McG is among the producers, so this show is brought to you by the letters Q and G.
The summer series Plain Jane offers makeovers for young women not already starved and botoxed into CW drones. Shedding for the Wedding wins best new title award; the mid-season series is basically The Biggest Loser for brides-to-be.
The CW spared (or forget they still had) One Tree Hill, Life Unexpected and Supernatural. Melrose Place was put in its place.