Change occurs through first understanding the crisis.  And a new addition to the WBNX Sunday night lineup is all about creating awareness and inspiring people to make a difference.  4REAL whisks celebrity guests on global adventures to connect with young leaders faced with often-heartbreaking issues—poverty, drugs, violence and health concerns.  Stars like Joaquin Phoenix, Cameron Diaz, Casey Affleck and Eva Mendes get a firsthand social and cultural education, interacting with these real-life heroes who are making strides to better their communities.  The docu-dramas include remote regions of the Amazon, Haiti, Peru and other exotic locales, and the groundbreaking series has already garnered a National Geographic Emerging Explorers Award for host/creators Sol Guy and Josh Thome.  4REAL began as a TV project, but has expanded into a worldwide online hub (4REAL.com) for dialogue, educational materials, foundation grants and special events.  In short, it’s a catalyst for change.  And a fascinating one, at that:

Sunday nights will be laced with biting comedy.  That’s my first impression after watching The CW Fall Preview Show, which airs twice this coming weekend.  Hosted by Privileged stars Joanna Garcia and Anne Archer, the half-hour special gives an overview of our seven new network series—including a first peek at the Sunday lineup, where laughter rules.  Two actresses simply jump off the screen in their roles: Jaime Murray on Valentine and Laurie Metcalf on Easy Money.  Noted for her characters on Hustle and Dexter, sultry British-born Jaime camps it up (incognito) as Greek goddess of love Aphrodite; while in “the world of payday loans,” Laurie thinks more like Tony Soprano than an offbeat mother running the family biz.  We also get a glimpse of original Beverly Hills mommie dearest “Jackie Taylor,” played by returning 90210 alum Ann Gillespie.  Look for a big showdown between her and daughter Kelly (Jennie Garth) concerning offspring issues early this fall.  The preview show follows a Jason Priestley movie (Calendar Girl) this Saturday, so we’re in full 90210 mode.  Check out the teasers, then get ready for the real thing Monday night when Season Premiere Week begins on WBNX.

Some guys are born daredevils, others are born TV stars.  And if you’re Hunter Ellis, it’s okay to be both.  As host of our new CW reality series In Harm’s Way, he’ll showcase brave folks who perform life-threatening work for the benefit of society.  Oil-well cappers, avalanche hunters, Coast Guard divers, hurricane chasers—you get the point.  Hunter spent ten years as a Navy fighter pilot and carrier aviator before landing on the fourth installment of Survivor, filmed in the Marquesas Islands.  Viewers and TV execs liked what they saw, because the adventurer was soon recruited to host his own cable reality shows, including Tactical to Practical; Man, Moment, Machine; and Digging for the Truth; plus an evening magazine, 9 on the Town, for a network affiliate in LA.  While he’s not expected to risk his life on In Harm’s Way, it’s difficult to keep Hunter out of the action.  Already he’s taken part in on-air exploits such as skydiving with the Army’s Golden Knights, flying with both the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, jumping out of helicopters with the Coast Guard’s rescue swimmers, and racing Formula One cars.  For all of that and his matinee idol looks, People named him one of the 20 sexiest men on cable TV.  Should be an adrenaline-filled start to your CW Sundays. 

Bob Saget spent eight easygoing seasons raising the Olsen twins on Full House, and another seven hosting the family-friendly America’s Funniest Home Videos.  And ever since, he’s had a blast poking fun at the lovable TV persona.  See, Bob is much more comfortable on the stand-up comedy circuit, where his act is way, way out on the edge.  Which could spill over—at least a bit—into his role on the CW fall comedy, Surviving Suburbia.  We’re told that Bob’s tranquil life is turned upside down by new next-door neighbors, including a distracting bombshell daughter and parents who file a frivolous lawsuit against Bob’s wife.  Meanwhile, his son is smitten with the twice-pregnant teen down the street, and his daughter believes she’s an Indian princess.  Early reports liken this series to a male-centric Roseanne.  With Saget in the mix, the results could be raucous.  During a screening of the 2005 hit March of the Penguins, for instance, he was immediately inspired to write and produce the outrageous mockumentary Farce of the Penguins.  So putting a twisted spin on his “Danny Tanner” fatherly reputation is something Saget would clearly relish.  Casting continues on the comedy, which will join In Harm’s Way, Valentine and Easy Money Sundays on WBNX. 

She’s listed as one of the most beautiful women in the world, credited with single-handedly revitalizing the final two seasons of The O.C., and played every teen boy’s “groovy chick” dream, Marcia, in the second big-screen Brady Bunch film.  All of which prepared Autumn Reeser to star as Phoebe, the Goddess of the Oracle at Delphi, in the new CW Sunday night dramedy, Valentine, premiering this fall.  The series is a fun, innovative spin on the criminal procedural format, but instead of solving crimes, the private investigator mends broken hearts and reconnects soul mates.  Business takes an unusual turn after the hiring of a mysterious, seductive woman as office manager—presumably Autumn.  Kristoffer Polaha (from Miss/Guided) and Robert Baker have also joined the cast as Eros and Hercules, Greek gods secretly living among us.  Fans of The O.C. remember Autumn as erratic “Taylor Townsend,” who paired up with Ryan after Marissa’s death.  Earlier this year, the 27-year-old hottie was part of another CW pilot, The World According to Barnes, which didn’t get picked up.  It’s too early to know exactly how Valentine will unfold.  How strongly will mythology play into each episode, for instance?  But things are off to a great start with Autumn in a lead role.

Someone made Jeff Hephner an offer he couldn’t refuse, because he’ll play Laurie Metcalf’s son-with-a-conscience on this fall’s new CW drama, Easy Money.  Laurie heads up a family of loan sharks, and her middle son (Jeff) isn’t too sold on the shady biz—even though he’s great at it.  The dynamic between those two actors is central to the series.  Many fans remember Jeff as Sandy’s twisted business partner “Matt Ramsey” on The O.C., or from the short-lived FOX favorite, The Jury.  Two other siblings were just cast, as well: Jay Ferguson (Evening Shade, Surface) and relative-newcomer Katie Lowes.  It’ll be interesting to see how far the clan bends toward organized crime.  Another new CW serial, Privileged, just nailed down a potential love interest for Joanna Garcia’s character.  Brian Hallisay is the wealthy son of a publishing mogul who lives next door, and there’s sure to be tension between him and Joanna’s other fella, Michael Cassidy.  You’ll recognize Brian from numerous key guest-starring roles.

In a busy week of staffing various CW shows, Laurie Metcalf signing on to lead a family of loan sharks is just too good to be true. One of the most loved and respected actresses in Hollywood, Laurie is widely-known for her comedic role as Roseanne’s sister, Jackie, a gig that earned her three Emmy Awards. More recently, she went over the edge as “Carolyn Bigsby,” igniting a memorable supermarket hostage shootout on Desperate Housewives. She’ll play the no-nonsense matriarch in our new Sunday night fall drama, Easy Money, penned by two writers from The Sopranos. Elsewhere, Oscar nominee Anne Archer joins the cast of Priviledged, previously titled Surviving the Filthy Rich; and Madchen Amick sizzles as an older love interest for Chace Crawford (Nate) on Gossip Girl. Most fans know Amick from Twin Peaks or her stint as Christopher’s absentee wife, Sherry, on Gilmore Girls. Smallville’s Clark Kent will have his hands full with Doomsday (Sam Witwer)—the villain who kills Superman in comic book lore—and new vixen Tess (Cassidy Freeman). To Metropolis, Witwer’s a typical mid-20s player, but the dark, haunting mysteries of his true origins soon begin to emerge. Finally, Supernatural creator Erik Kripke was sad to report that Katie Cassidy’s character, Ruby, became a victim of the non-existent Canadian exchange-rate. Production up north is no longer a bargain. More casting news is expected shortly. Your thoughts on these additions…?

Sundays this fall will have a brand new look and feel.  Encores are gone, replaced by four exciting freshmen series just announced:  a drama, a romantic-comedy, a reality/action hour, and a sitcom.  The concepts for all four shows originated from producers with great TV pedigrees (The Sopranos, Reba, Dirtiest Jobs, Reaper), and casting/production will begin immediately, Variety reports.  Here’s a brief overview:

6:30pm    In Harm’s Way
Follows the real-life stories of people who work for the benefit of society in dangerous jobs, such as avalanche hunters, subway tunnel diggers, and hurricane chasers.

7:30pm   Surviving Suburbia
Think “Roseanne,” told from the husband’s point-of-view,  a blue-collar family with a grumpy dad.  The creator actually worked on Roseanne, so he’s familiar with award-winning comedy.

8:00pm   Valentine, Inc.
This romantic dramedy was penned for the big-screen, but will now be adapted for television.  The premise involves Greek gods living among us, with Aphrodite and son Eros fronting a matchmaking business.

9:00pm   Easy Money
A family of loan sharks…yikes!  Even more sinister, mama runs the biz.  Her middle son is great at this predatory line of work, but not so sure he wants to stay in “the family.”

CLICK HERE to see The CW Fall Weeknight Lineup