The CW recently unveiled its fall schedule, which includes a lineup of new unscripted series such as Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble game show nights, along with the return of Whose Line Is It Anyway? However, one notable absence from the schedule is the long-running magic competition series, Penn & Teller: Fool Us. With ten seasons and over 150 episodes under its belt since its debut in 2011, the show’s future on the network is uncertain. The CW’s President of Entertainment, Brad Schwartz, hinted that a new season of Penn & Teller may be in the works for 2025, praising the show as a consistent performer.
FBoy Island and Other Unscripted Shows
While Penn & Teller: Fool Us may be facing an uncertain future, other unscripted shows on The CW are making waves. FBoy Island, a bold bet for the network, has not been as successful as hoped, with Schwartz suggesting that it may have been too young-skewing for broadcast television. On the other hand, shows like 24/7 Police, which premiered recently and Crime Nation, have been well-received by audiences and affiliates alike. These slightly older-skewing shows have proven to be successful for The CW, with the network finding ways to capitalize on their popularity.
The Big Bakeover and Future Premieres
Looking ahead, The CW has more unscripted shows in the pipeline, including The Big Bakeover from Velvet Hammer Media set to launch in June. This baking competition series has already garnered praise from unscripted boss Heather Olander, hinting at a promising future on the network. Despite the uncertainties surrounding the fate of Penn & Teller: Fool Us, The CW remains committed to delivering engaging and diverse content for its viewers. As Schwartz mentioned, there are still many unscripted shows yet to premiere, each offering a unique viewing experience for audiences.