The 12^th annual Teen Choice Awards once again affirm the popularity of CW Network talent.  Gossip Girl leads all TV series with six nominations, and six other returning shows picked up at least one apiece.  Several stars also scored crossover recognition for their film work.  Below are the first wave of nominees with ties to WBNX, and teens (13-19) can vote daily for their favorites by clicking here.  Results will be announced August 8, with CW summer popstar Katy Perry (California Gurls) hosting. 

TV Drama:  90210 and Gossip Girl
TV Drama Actor:  Penn Badgley and Chace Crawford (Gossip Girl); Tristan Wilds (90210)
TV Drama Actress:  Sophia Bush (One Tree Hill); Blake Lively and Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl)
TV Villain:  Ian Somerhalder (Vampire Diaries), Ed Westwick (Gossip Girl), Terry O’Quinn (Lost)
TV Actor Fantasy/Sci-Fi:  Tom Welling (Smallville), Paul Wesley (Vampire Diaries), Josh Holloway (Lost)
TV Actress Fantasy/Sci-Fi:  Nina Dobrev (Vampire Diaries) and Evangeline Lilly (Lost)
TV Fantasy/Sci-Fi Show:  Lost, Smallville, Supernatural, The Vampire Diaires
TV Reality Competition:  America’s Next Top Model
TV Comedy Actor:  Steve Carell (The Office)
Choice Comedian:  George Lopez
Film Actor, Horror/Thriller:  Penn Badgley [pictured, with girlfriend Blake Lively]
Film Actress, Horror/Thriller:  Rumer Willis (90210) and Katie Cassidy (Melrose Place)
Film Actress, Romantic Comedy:  Kristen Bell (Gossip Girl)
Film Actress, Comedy:  Kristen Bell
Film Actor, Comedy:  Steve Carell and Chris Rock (Everybody Hates Chris)
Choice Movie Dance:  Steve Carell and Tina Fey

In a few days, this TV season inches closer to conclusion with the first CW finales:  Life Unexpected and Melrose Place.  The freshmen series couldn’t be more different, yet each packs an emotional wallop not to be missed.  For those who appreciate the subtle nuances of a heartfelt family drama, Life Unexpected debuted strong and has steadily improved throughout its 13 episodes.  (Peter Horton’s understated guest role this week as the father who abandoned young Cate—masterful.)  It’s a credit to the core actors that we’ve disliked their characters’ actions at times, yet rush to embrace them in their new relationship struggles.  Many fans, of course, now want Cate and Baze to unite—and Lux is leading the quiet charge on Monday.  But…what about good-guy groom Ryan?  Perhaps not since Felicity have stars conveyed so much inner conflict with a fleeting glance, Kristoffer Polaha and Britt Robertson in particular.  Heralded by critics, Life Unexpected has been a rich addition to The CW, a show with myriad stories and peripheral characters to develop if it’s renewed next month by the network.  Then, on Tuesday we need to remember one thing:  No series does a finale like Melrose Place!  We’re promised a scintillating Amanda/Ella showdown, resolution to a central mystery, and a surprise appearance that’ll stop you in your tracks.  Did you catch the quick shot of Sydney (Laura Leighton) in the promo?  Could she actually have cheated death a second time?  It would be the type of outrageous Kimberly-blowing-up-the-complex watercooler moment that defined the original drama.  The type of nonstop shocking twists that primetime soaps need to survive.

As the New Year and new episodes quickly approach, let’s take a quick glance at each CW series and choose the storylines which promise to keep us on the edge of our futons: 

One Tree Hill:   This is a tough one, since many conflicts wrapped up nicely two weeks ago.  It’ll be interesting to see how the Brooke-Julian-Alex love triangle develops, but the show really needs Dan Scott to revive his villainous ways—or a new troublemaker to ride into town pronto.   Returns Mon., Jan. 18 

Life Unexpected:   Critics call this heartwarming gem The CW’s “next big thing.”  Who are we to argue?  You’ll be hooked from the first ten minutes.  Premieres Mon., Jan. 18 at 9pm 

Gossip Girl:   There’s juicy drama dripping from every corner here; however, so many lives will be turned upside down by the imminent appearance of Serena’s long-lost father…and Chuck’s long-dead mother.  Returns Mon., Mar. 8 

90210:   Now that Annie and Jasper have flung their criminal cards on the table, will they walk away hiding each other’s secret?  And what drives one of our West Beverly friends to attempt suicide?  Returns Tue., Mar. 9    

Melrose Place:    Well, we know the producers want a more “fun” show, and hopefully that means a lot more Heather Locklear.  Wonder if she’ll rip that complex apart looking for her $19-million painting?  And is it coincidence that David shares her larcenous hobby?  Speaking of David…is he the father of his half-brother?  Returns Tue., Mar. 9   

America’s Next Top Model:   The panel of judges for Cycle 14 will have an outrageous flair, with the addition of sassy Andre Leon Talley and Kimora Lee Simmons.  Let’s hope for some fierce, opinionated controversy.  Returns Wednesdays in Mar.  

The Vampire Diaries:   Yeah, just try to narrow this one down!  More vamps and witches are coming, along with a werewolf and a crypt full of new faces.  But the real mystery involves raising Katherine and those other 26 vampires from their ‘prison’ beneath the 1864 church remains.  Is it humanly possible for the series to get any better?  Returns Thu., Jan. 21 

Supernatural:   What’s more suspenseful than the outcome of the Apocalypse?  As Lucifer said to his expected vessel Sam, “I’ll see you in Detroit in six months.”  Along the journey, the Winchesters make another trip into their parents’ past and also encounter Bobby’s dead wife.  Returns Thu., Jan. 21

Smallville:   ‘Epic’ may not begin to describe the two-hour movie event, Absolute Justice, premiering on Feb. 5.  What began as an ambitious reunion of several Justice Society veterans has evolved into a full-scale landmark phenomenon that’ll have comic book geeks abuzz for years.  Details are being kept under close wraps—but suffice to say, don’t make other plans.  Returns Fri., Jan. 22

Spread the word and “stuff the ballot box” for several deserving CW series to receive national recognition at the first awards show of 2010.  The deadline to vote for your favorite People’s Choice nominees is Tuesday, Dec. 8, and this competition encourages the public to cast a ballot as often as possible.  Just log on to peopleschoice.com and easily click through the categories—but note that the only way to vote for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show and Favorite Talk Show is by texting “VOTE” to 24475.  This new wrinkle is important since Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries, Lost and The Tyra Banks Show are among those nominated.  Here’s a rundown of the choices involving WBNX stars or shows:

 TV Drama:   Lost
TV Comedy:   The Office and Desperate Housewives
TV Actor:   Matthew Fox (Lost)
TV Actress:   Blake Lively (Gossip Girl) and Mariska Hargitay (Law & Order: SVU)  
TV Comedy Actor:   Steve Carell (The Office)
TV Comedy Actress:   Eva Longoria Parker (Desperate Housewives)
TV Obsession:  Gossip Girl
TV Sci-Fi/Fantasy:  Supernatural, The Vampire Diaries and Lost
TV Talk Show:  The Tyra Banks Show
New TV Drama:   The Vampire Diaries and Melrose Place
Movie Actress:  Jennifer Aniston (Friends)
Independent Movie:  Tyler Perry’s Madea Goes to Jail
Music collaboration:  Cobra Starship & Leighton Meester (Gossip Girl)

Blake Lively will do a little moonlighting this weekend and certainly raise her stature in the entertainment world.  The 22-year-old Gossip Girl actress becomes the first-ever CW star to host Saturday Night Live, an honor typically reserved for the most-buzzworthy performers.  CW network forerunner The WB placed five young favorites in the SNL pantheon, beginning with Sarah Michelle Gellar (Buffy) in 1998, followed later by Jamie Foxx and Dawson’s Creek trio James van der Beek, Joshua Jackson and Katie Holmes.  Fifteen other WBNX stars have taken the reigns over the past 35 years, including each Friends cast member (except Matt LeBlanc), plus Melrose Place queens Heather Locklear and Laura Leighton, and Ray Romano—who was cleverly joined in his monologue by Everybody Loves Raymond parents Doris Roberts and Peter Boyle.  Ironically, Boyle was one of SNL’s earliest hosts, guiding the 13^th episode of the very first season back in ’76.  More recently, Ashlee Simpson (Melrose Place) is noted for her lip-synching fiasco as musical guest four years ago.  With Gossip Girl set in New York, it seems likely we could see Blake’s boyfriend, Penn Badgley, or other CW costars making sketch cameos.  In addition to her Upper East Side shenanigans, Blake is currently featured as young “Pippa” in the big-screen film, The Private Lives of Pippa Lee, and just finished shooting The Town, opposite Ben Affleck and Jon Hamm.  Does the vivacious, oft-photographed beauty have some hidden comedic chops, as well?  No one’s betting against Serena van der Woodsen.  

Television’s biggest fall sweeps month is always a bonanza for viewers, as stars and stunts punctuate many storylines.  There are some special treats coming up on CW dramas, such as popstar Lady Gaga performing her new single “Bad Romance” on the Nov. 16 episode of Gossip Girl, hints People; and an Upper East Side cameo by Spice Girl Victoria Beckham (Posh).  Also, who do you expect to see first—Serena’s elusive father…or the allegedly-dead Bart Bass?  Hmm.  Moving to Tuesdays, conniving film villain Kelly Lynch settles in on 90210 as Ivy’s (Gillian Zinser) hot mama.  Wonder how dating her daughter’s English teacher will play in the West Bev lounge?  Over on Melrose Place, Nick Zano (pictured) has officially joined the cast; and no, we haven’t seen the last of Sydney (Laura Leighton).  Turns out, Amanda had some unfinished business with the red-haired temptress, and that’ll unfold when Heather Locklear debuts Nov. 17.  Fans of The Vampire Diaries can begin debating which of the new characters is secretly a vampire slayer!  And don’t forget Legend of the Seeker, which premieres this weekend with two new recurring characters to cause havoc for Richard and Kahlan.  Jolene Blaylock, best known as the Vulcan T’Pol on Enterprise, portrays a mysterious Sister of the Dark, whose powerful magic could destroy the Confessor.  And Michael Whalley, 26, brings a bit of levity to his thorny role as Flynn.  The actors have completed filming nearly half of Season 2 in New Zealand, and took some time for an interview with WBNX earlier today.  We’ll post some of their comments here soon.

The first six weeks of the new TV season have offered an excess of hair-raising storylines and head-scratching mysteries.  For example…

Katherine sired the Salvatore brothers on The Vampire Diaries in 1864.  Wouldn’t you like to know how she became a bloodsucker, and whether she really died in that church fire?  Call us skeptical. 

Did you expect last week’s Supernatural slant toward The Omen, with the all-powerful little kid?  He’s gotta figure into future episodes.  Just like with Buffy’s “anointed one,” these evil children are creepy.  

Bobby possessed, then in a wheelchair?!  Jim Beaver wasn’t kidding when he teased a major twist with his Supernatural character this season. 

Ashlee Simpson-Wentz (Violet) totally pulls off the psychotic chick on Melrose Place.  Admit it:  her bizarre, unpredictable scenes are the highlight of every episode.

Fellow popstar Hilary Duff has rocked her role on Gossip Girl.  Really enjoyable.  And we pine for the return of Georgina, whose convoluted schemes are a welcome treat.  

Will Annie actually get away with murder on 90210?  This tangled web with Jasper has to end badly, you’d think.  Either way, “damaged” Annie is so much more fun to watch than the innocent farm girl.

Nathan and his family melting down amidst scandalous allegations on One Tree Hill gives us a new perspective of the media circus pro athletes and celebs face daily.  Can’t wait to see the accuser on Dan Scott’s TV show Monday.  And speaking of Dan—how shocking was his marriage reveal…to Rachel!?

O, Death!  Sydney (Melrose Place) and Vampire Diaries trio Logan Fell, “uncle” Zach Salvatore and Coach Tanner were gasp-worthy murders.  But hold tight!  There’s another Melrose corpse on the way—and two fan faves will face the end next month on Supernatural.

Hey, remember me?  Auggie (Colin Egglesfield) on MP is ready for a beefed-up story.  Ditto Jenny and Nate on Gossip Girl.  And are we gonna meet Serena’s evasive Daddy-O, or what?

Wonder what really goes on behind-the-scenes of television’s most scandalous address?  Jessica Lucas grabs her mini camcorder and takes us on a revealing tour of Melrose Place, including run-ins with costars Katie Cassidy, Stephanie Jacobson and Michael Rady.  It’s pretty obvious, these actors are having a blast rebooting the ‘90s drama known for its outrageous weekly twists.  Check out Jessie’s video below, and get ready for The CW’s first night of fall premieres—featuring 90210 and Melrose Place—on Tuesday, Sep. 8.

Each summer, television critics gather in Hollywood for press sessions with network execs and cast members from their new Fall series.  The Q&A panels often yield interesting facts, and we’ve gathered ten scooplets:

• The Vampire Diaries is “not just a high school show,” says producer Kevin Williamson.  “We’re much more of a small town show, and once you get past the premise, we’ll start to develop the huge mythology.”
• A new series regular will soon join the Vampire Diaries cast.  He comes to Mystic Falls with a secret agenda, and awakens the town to the idea that undead bloodsuckers are living among them.
• One of the vampires fought in the Civil War, and the show is set in Virginia…so filming in Atlanta offers a nice Southern, small town feel.  The CW series will use the first three books by L.J. Smith as a backdrop, and then pursue its own stories.
• CW president Dawn Ostroff believes both Smallville and Supernatural have a lot stories left to tell, and would like both to return beyond the upcoming season.
• Sara Paxton’s character on The Beautiful Life: TBL is based on the real-life modeling experiences of series creator Ashton Kutcher.
• Headline magnet Mischa Barton is “very prominent” in the show, says Kutcher.  “She’s one of our lead players,” adding he’s extremely pleased with her work.  “For me, it’s the best I’ve seen Mischa Barton.”
• Melrose Place already has Laura Leighton, Thomas Calabro, Daphne Zuniga and Josie Bissett returning from the original series—is Grant Show next?  He talked with producers this week, and “stuff is brewing, definitely.”  Also, the door is open for Heather Locklear at any time.
• Of the new MP cast members, only 36-year-old Colin Egglesfield (pictured) has seen Aaron Spelling’s wild-n-crazy 1992-99 primetime soap.  Katie Cassidy says her parents wouldn’t let her watch because she was too young.
• Critics continue to praise midseason dramedy Life UneXpected.  EW calls the pilot “completely charming,” and says the show is “bound to capture the hearts and minds of anyone who liked Privileged and, before that, Gilmore Girls.”
• Exec producer Liz Tigelaar (Brothers & Sisters, Once and Again) feels Life UneXpected is “reminiscent of the programming that made The WB Network ‘teen drama central.’”  She adds, “The biggest thing that excites me is how flawed and how real these characters are.”

TCA reporting by the TV Addict, Zap2it, L.A. Times, THR, Variety, EW.

It’s always great to see The CW add characters to their dramas, especially when the roles involve obvious antagonism.  What are your thoughts on this week’s six casting moves?

John Schneider: Meet the mean step-father who had Liam (Matt Lanter) hauled off to reform school in the middle of the night on 90210.  He’s a Hollywood plastic surgeon whose war at home will continue this fall.  CW fans remember John as Clark Kent’s dad on Smallville.

Kelly Carlson: What’s Melrose Place without scandal?  Kelly (Nip/Tuck) is a high-priced Hollywood madame who crosses paths with Stephanie Jacobson, the med-student who happens to need cash for her tuition.

Brooke Burns: She’s married to Dr. Michael Mancini (Thomas Calabro)—so you know how that’s gonna turn out!  They have a younger son, but how long before she’s a suspect in the Melrose Place murder mystery…or has eyes for estranged stepson Shaun Sipos?

Sebastian Stan: Okay, he’s not exactly new to Gossip Girl, but Carter Baizen will stick around NY for awhile, nurturing a strange romance with Serena (Blake Lively)!  As you’ll recall, he located the golden girl’s long-lost father in the season finale.

Nacho Figueras: The hunky Argentine polo star for team Black Watch is a real-life member of Manhattan’s social scene.  He plays himself in a Sep. 14 Gossip Girl episode filmed at the Greenwich Polo Club.  Coincidentally, Nacho is also a model for Polo Fragrances.  Next up, tortilla chips?

Adam Bertrand: This one’s intriguing. The 17-year-old model is famous for being famous.  He’s a rising reality star who hangs with the West Coast society crowd and just signed on as the face of German fashion house Escada’s fragrance and men’s brands.  Adam brings a definite edge to the young models on The Beautiful Life, and this fall he’ll also release his debut single, “World Keeps Turning.”