After 11 years, the WB will air its final night of programming on Sunday, September 17th. The network a generation of viewers grew up watching will be no more as the WB merges with its one-time rival, UPN, to form the new CW network.
On its last night of broadcasting, the WB will show the premiere episodes of some of the series that helped put the network on the map. The WB will also be showing some of the promos that have appeared on the network over the years, including those featuring Michigan J. Frog.
The WB will mark its own passing by re-airing the pilots of these four seminal shows.
Felicity, 5 p.m. Eastern
Felicity (1998 to 2002) followed Felicity Parker as she moved to New York City to go to college, and stay close to her high school crush. While this coming-of-age drama was loved by fans for its characters and storylines, one of the show’s biggest dramas involved the star, Keri Russell, cutting her hair. A move that prompted the WB to strongly suggest the actors on all of their shows not cut their hair unless they got permission first.
Angel, 6 p.m. Eastern
Angel (1999 to 2004) starred David Boreanaz as a vampire trying to atone for his evil past. This series was one of a rare breed: a successful spin-off. After five seasons, Angel was given a somewhat controversial cancellation, one that took many by surprise. But the show will return on September 17th to bid the WB a fond farewell.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, 7 p.m. Eastern
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997 to 2003), which starred Sarah Michelle Gellar as a young woman destined to fight evil, is arguably the WB show that’s made the biggest mark on pop culture. And this airing of the two-hour pilot will be the first time Buffy the Vampire Slayer has appeared on the WB since the network lost the show to its rival, UPN, in 2001.
Dawson’s Creek, 10 p.m. Eastern
Dawson’s Creek (1998 to 2003) will wrap up the night as the last show to ever air on the WB. This series, about four friends coming-of-age in a small, Massachusettes town, followed in the footsteps of other popular teen dramas. However, the characters on Dawson’s Creek spoke with an intelligence and wit that set the show apart from shows like Beverly Hills 90210. While Dawson’s Creek was sometimes criticized because, “Real teens don’t talk like that,” it was a hit with the WB’s core teen audience.
Even after the network officially closes up shop, the WB won’t be completely gone. Some long-running WB shows (like Seventh Heaven, Gilmore Girls, and Smallville) will live on as part of the new CW network. Still, for many, especially those who remember seeing “the Frog” dance across their TV screens for the very first time, it’ll be like the end of an era.
Reference:
- CW Network Television: www.cwtv.com/ The WB: thewb.warnerbros.com
