CW tries a makeover, just as the TV world wobbles

It’s sort of like doing landscaping during a tornado.
The little CW network was in the midst of a full makeover. Then the writers’ and actors’ strikes swirled in, forcing more changes.
The result is a revised schedule, strong on scripted shows from overseas and unscripted ones from the U.S. It ranges from the lusty “FBoy Island” (shown here) to the biblical “The Chosen.”
The CW survived for years on a unique financial model. Its expensive science-fiction shows – “The Flash,” “Arrow,” etc. — had weak ratings, but did well overseas, keeping its producers (who also were CW co-owners) happy.
Then the network was sold and the new owners began shedding most of that, replacing it with lower-cost alternatives. It still has “Riverdale” and “Nancy Drew” on Wednesdays this summer, with a few of the old CW dramas renewed for the new season.
When the strikes hit, everything changed. CW has delayed “All American” and the show it had planned to pair it with, the cable transplant “61st Street.” Other surviving dramas – “Walker,” “All American: Homecoming” and 10 episodes of “Superman & Lois” — are also on hold.
Instead, the makeshift fall lineup now has:
— Starting early: At 8 p.m. Sunday (starting July 16) is “The Chosen,” a crowdfunded drama that has aired on small cable networks; it follows Jesus’ life through those who were close to him. And on Mondays are situation comedies, some of which start July 24. Beginning Oct. 16, three Canadian shows — “Son of a Critch,” “Run the Burbs” and “Children Ruin Everything” – will be followed by the British “Everyone Else Burns.”
— Tuesdays (starting Sept. 5): “Inside the NFL,” which has bounced between several cable channels, at 8 p.m., and “The Swarm” at 9. The latter is a sci-fi epic, produced in Germany by one of the “Game of Thrones” people. On Nov. 14, that spot will go to the CW perennial, “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
— Wednesdays (starting Oct. 4): Two Canadian dramas, “Sullivan’s Crossing” and “Spencer Sisters.”
— Thursdays (Oct. 12): “FBoy Island,” starting with a two-hour opener. Formerly a streaming show, it has young women trying to figure out which guys are there for romance and which are only there for the sex. An “FGirl Island” spin-off is also planned.
— Fridays (Oct. 20): The magic show “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” at 8 p.m., followed by an “Inside the NFL” rerun at 9.
— Saturdays (Oct. 28): More magic, with “Masters of Illusion” at 8 and 8:30 p.m. It’s followed by “World’s Funniest Animals” at 9 and 9:30. In addition, however, CW has struck a deal to show ACC college football and basketball games.