The Final Felling: Reaper Reaped

As expected based on previous reports, Reaper was not included in The CW's plans for 2009-2010, marking what should be the 8th and last genre cancellation of the season (not counting Medium, which was canceled by NBC and then grabbed by CBS).

There's still a chance Reaper will return from the dead: trades are saying ABC Studios, which produces the show, is trying to hammer out a first-run syndication deal. The show would have to be retooled a little, since budgets are lower for syndies and one of the stars, Tyler Labine (Sock), has already moved on (he has the lead in Sons of Tucson this fall on Fox). The creators, Michele Fazekas and Tara Butters, have also signed a deal with a rival production house and would have to be replaced as well.

Otherwise Tuesday's episode, the season finale, is also potentially the series finale as well. All season Sam has known he needs to challenge the Devil to a game and win, and now he's finally ready. The game, in keeping with the main characters' slacker status, is quarters.

Instead, The CW is going with Kevin Williamson's adaptation of The Vampire Diaries with Ian Somerhalder and Paul Wesley. The CW, not unreasonably, clearly felt the vampire drama was a better fit with returning hit Supernatural: the two will air at 8 and 9, respectively, on Thursdays. (Smallville is moving to Friday nights for its 9th season.)

Reaper fans, start your engines -- your show has a fighting chance.