The national press has fallen in love with The CW’s new Sunday night series, Valentine and Easy Money: 

“Out of the blue come the two most entertaining new series so far this season.  Valentine and Easy Money put a modern twist on family drama that’s edgy and fun without being overwrought or vulgar.”  – Philadelphia Inquirer

“Easy Money is easily the most intriguing new show of the season.”  – Los Angeles Times

“The (Valentine concept is refreshingly original, and if you’re a fan of Greek mythology, you might like the contemporary interpretations of the storied figures.”  –  Washington Post

“Extremely topical, well-acted and surprisingly touching, Easy Money is a promising new entry.  An off-beat dramedy penned by The Sopranos and Northern Exposure writers, the series has that quirky, character-driven appeal.”  –  Variety

“Having gods fight for love in the age of MySpace is clever, and when all of the comedic stars align, Valentine has its twinkly moments.”  – San Diego Union-Tribune

Payday loans.  Who gives them?  Who gets them?  And what happens if they’re not repaid?  The new CW dramedy Easy Money takes an entertaining—often hilarious—peek at one such “family business” in Arizona, coincidentally the state paired with Ohio in a real-life battle to salvage the controversial industry.  This summer, Gov. Strickland signed legislation restricting payday loan annual interest rates from 391% to 28%, and lobbyists want voters to overturn the laws here and in the Grand Canyon state.  Easy Money explores a gritty world many never knew existed.  The eccentric Buffkins are led by the always-riveting Laurie Metcalf, whose southern-belle façade masks a business owner unafraid to use Sopranos collection techniques.  And she’s harboring a dark secret about youngest son Morgan, played to understated perfection by Jeff Hephner.  The large clan drives clunkers to work, but live in a gated mansion with sports cars and a Hummer parked outside.  Of course, there’s the rather large problem of their new competitors, two sumo-wrestler types who’ve already crippled one payday lender.  Even the family’s loony private-eye, Judge Reinhold, may not have a solution for them.  Morgan is increasingly distracted by cutie Marsha Thomason and his mysterious DNA-findings, but Mama Buffkin’s about to bare her teeth to hide her most-productive son’s genealogy.  Drop everything for this Sunday night showdown… 

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.

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