Will 'Reaper' help The CW reap new viewers?

In early 1995, 2 "netlets" went on the air -- The WB and UPN. Despite some truly inventive and stellar programming offerings: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Felicity, Gilmore Girls, Homeboys From Outer Space ... errr, scratch that last one ... the stations were never able to truly compete with their larger rivals. Last year, in an effort at synergy, the pair decided to join forces as The CW, which is a combined venture of CBS Corp. (NYSE: CBS) and Warner Brothers Entertainment, a division of Time Warner (NYSE: TWX).

While the network has retained some reliable aging standbys, including Smallville and America's Next Top Model, it hasn't enjoyed a breakout, critically lauded hit just yet. Last year's merger allowed for very few new shows, and those that hit the airwaves were short-lived. (Remember Runaway with Donnie "He'll always be a New Kid in my book" Wahlberg?)

But this season, critics are thinking the little-network-that-could may have struck gold in the most unlikely of places ... hell. Reaper, which premiered last night in the 9:00 Eastern/8:00 Central time slot, follows the story of a 21-year-old slacker whose soul has been sold to the devil.