Top 10 Dark Truths About CW Shows
#10: “Jane the Virgin” Without Its Iconic Narrator? “Jane the Virgin” (2014-19)
We know. We couldn’t imagine the show without that distinctive voice almost as much as it wouldn’t make sense without its titular Jane. But, voice actor Anthony Mendez wasn’t quite as taken with the character as the rest of us—at first. He told Cosmo that when he initially received the script, he found the description of “Latin Lover narrator with a Hispanic telenovela accent” “a little off-putting” and considered turning it down. However, after reading the text, he realized the character has more flavor than just being a disembodied voice and decided to go for it. We wonder what he would’ve thought if he knew who the narrator would turn out to be.
#9: Rachel Bloom Rejects Hollywood’s Body Standards “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” (2016-19)
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This musical comedy never shied away from discussing subjects typically considered taboo by entertainment standards. For instance, the series is a major champion of body diversity and positivity, and that's as true behind the scenes as it is on camera. Co-creator, writer, and leading lady Rachel Bloom initially met with a personal trainer to help her get into shape for her new series. If you're thinking, hang on, that's not the Rachel Bloom we know, you'd be correct. The actress quickly realized it wasn't the message she wanted her show to promote and ditched the idea. Bloom chose to normalize showing people of all shapes and sizes and not pigeonholing them based on appearances.
#8: The Original Pilot Was Deemed “Too Dark & Creepy” “Veronica Mars” (2004-19)
We get that teen drama shows require, well, drama, but sometimes the writers may take things a step too far. And there are definitely some questionable almost-plot points in this series that the network thought pushed boundaries. If you recall, the pilot goes quite hard in piling on the conflicts in Veronica’s life, so it’s hard to imagine it could’ve been even darker. However, the network thought Lilly’s father’s involvement in his daughter’s death to cover up for his son was “too dark and creepy.” Apparently, the writers also planned to reveal that Veronica and Duncan’s moms were so against their relationship because they really were half-siblings. Yeah, just sit with that.
#7: Chris Rock’s Old School Teacher Apologizes “Everybody Hates Chris” (2005-09)
As you probably already know, “Everybody Hates Chris” is loosely based on comedian Chris Rock’s teenagehood. One recurring motif throughout the show is the racism he often endures while attending a predominantly white school. Rock has previously stated that much of what we see on the show, from the name-calling to the physical altercations, is somewhat rooted in his real-life experiences. Apparently, this prompted an ex teacher of Rock’s who watched the show to reach out with a letter, saying: “I knew it was hard on you, but I had no idea,” and added, “If anything happened to you because of me, please forgive me.”
#6: An Accident Prompts the Cast to Demand Safer Work Conditions “Riverdale” (2017-)
In 2017 Archie actor K.J. Apa was involved in a car accident after reportedly falling asleep at the wheel following a 16-hour workday. Luckily, the actor only suffered minor injuries, but his car was written off. The incident fired up the cast and crew to demand a review of health and safety measures on set, and an investigation was launched. Warner Bros. defended themselves by insisting the actor had been informed that he could request alternative transportation or accommodation if he felt unfit to drive. Of course, this isn't a stand-alone occurrence where crazy work schedules have endangered people's lives.
#5: No Love from Hollywood “Girlfriends” (2000-08)
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Show creator Mara Brock Akil explained that she didn’t feel represented by popular friend-centric shows like “Sex and the City,” thus igniting the first sparks for her sitcom “Girlfriends.” But while it was a hit with the fans, Hollywood and the media didn’t exactly warm up to it. Tracee Ellis Ross, who played Joan Carol Clayton on the show, shared that there wasn’t much backing for it within the biz; there were no late-night talk show appearances or award show invites. Of course, now it’s considered a groundbreaking sitcom that paved the way for more authentically diverse stories to be told in mainstream media. It’s a shame it wasn’t as appreciated in its time.
#4: The Script Leak Hack “Gossip Girl” (2007-12)
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“Gossip Girl” often sees the enigmatic titular figure sharing other people’s secrets online. And in an example of life imitating art, a similar situation hit the show during its fourth season. Entire scripts were being leaked online and sold on eBay, much to everyone’s bewilderment. Eventually, they hired a private investigator who tracked down the source to a teenager in either Russia or Bulgaria who had infiltrated one of the writer’s emails. Unfortunately for the creators, they couldn’t press charges since the perpetrator was a minor. However, they found some alternative methods to help protect their secrets from then on. Maybe they could’ve XOXO’d out the dialogue.
#3: Mark Pellegrino’s Offensive Tweets “Supernatural” (2005-20)
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Mark Pellegrino played fallen archangel and creator of demons, Lucifer, in this long-running dark fantasy drama since its fifth season. Perhaps some devilish energy rubbed off on the actor, who found himself in hot water due to several tweets deemed offensive. He made controversial remarks about Affirmative Action legislation, criticized elements of Black Lives Matter, and has been accused of being Islamophobic, sexist, and more. Some also called him out over the allegedly combative way he engages with his critics on social media. Fans of the show reportedly called for the actor to be let go, but Pellegrino’s Lucifer wasn’t going anywhere and defended himself by stating his statements were taken out of context. He was even promoted to series regular in season 12.
#2: Harassment Allegations “One Tree Hill” (2003-12)
In 2017, OTH writer, Audrey Wauchope, tweeted about the harassment she’d allegedly faced while working on the show. While she didn’t name names, it was eventually confirmed that she was referring to show creator Mark Schwahn. Other members of the cast and crew rallied around her in support and published an open letter describing his “psychologically and emotionally” manipulative behavior and how they were made to feel uncomfortable, unsafe, and unprotected. Peyton actress Hilarie Burton cited the show’s “bosses” as one of her reasons for leaving the show rather than drama with Chad Michael Murray, as some fans speculated. Schwahn was soon suspended and later fired from his other show, “The Royals.” Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. Grant Gustin’s Body Shamers, “The Flash” (2014-) He Clapped Back at Fans Who Deemed Him Too Skinny After The Flash Outfit Photo Leak Leighton Meester & Taylor Momsen’s Rumored Feud, “Gossip Girl” (2007-12) Both Aspiring Musicians, Apparently Momsen Was Angry When the Show Featured Meester’s Music but Not Hers (Yet) High School Politics, “One Tree Hill” (2003-12) Jana Kramer, Who Joined in Season 7, Reported That a Cast Member “Made It Hell” On Set Cast Members Got Apprehended Shortly Before Its Premiere, “The Vampire Diaries” (2009-17) Nina Dobrev, Kayla Ewell, Candice Accola & Sara Canning Were Arrested for Flashing Motorists from a Bridge Scott Patterson Felt Objectified, “Gilmore Girls” (2000-07) The Luke Actor Was Angered by an Episode That Left Him Feeling like a “Meat Stick”
#1: Allison Mack’s Alleged Involvement in a Cult “Smallville” (2001-11)
In 2017 the New York Times uncovered that NXIVM, a so-called “personal development company,” was actually a cult. Several of its high-ranking members were also exposed, including the “Smallville” actress, who joined the organization in 2006 while playing Chloe Sullivan. Mack was part of the cult’s innermost circle and was tasked with recruiting and branding women. In 2018 she was arrested by the FBI on trafficking and “forced labor conspiracy” charges and put on house arrest. In 2019 she pleaded guilty to her involvement in the organization and was sentenced to three years in prison, which she started serving in September 2021.
