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The CW Boss on ‘Jane the Virgin’ and ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ Emmy Snubs: ‘Never Got the Accolades They Deserved’

TCA: Mark Pedowitz also comments on Leslie Moonves and the state of the 'Batwoman' pilot.
Mark Pedowitz and Gina RodriguezCBS TCA Party, Inside, Los Angeles, USA - 10 Aug 2016
Mark Pedowitz and Gina Rodriguez
Michael Buckner/Variety/REX/Shutterstock

The CW did not receive a single Emmy nomination this year. But that’s par for the course for the network, which rarely receives any sort of TV Academy love. The CW has won Golden Globes for “Jane the Virgin” star Gina Rodriguez and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” star Rachel Bloom, but the Emmy well remains dry — and that’s a bone of contention for The CW president Mark Pedowitz.

As “Jane the Virgin” and “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” end their runs this upcoming season, Pedowitz told reporters on Monday that he remains “disappointed in some way, shape or form that [‘Crazy Ex’ executive producer] Aline [Brosh McKenna], Rachel and [‘Jane’ executive producer] Jennie [Snyder Urman] and Gina and their teams and cast never got the accolades they deserved from the Academy.”

What’s more, “I’m more amazed that the Academy could not recognize ‘Crazy Ex’ for any of its original music, given they do original music week in and week out.”

And beyond that, Pedowitz is also baffled that The CW’s multitude of DC superhero shows aren’t recognized for their stunts or effects.

“I’m more disappointed for them and my whole team that we’ve never gotten that recognition and I say we deserved it,” he said. Pedowitz was asked if he had any theories on why The CW was snubbed — but said his PR chief Paul Hewitt advised him to keep his mouth shut.

This has been a frustrating fact at the CW for years. The network’s Twitter account even poked fun at their Emmy drought in 2012:

One theory might be the conventional wisdom that both shows were ratings challenged. While that may be true from a linear perspective, Pedowitz noted that the CW looks at series performance in a “linear, delayed view streaming point of view. So when we look at what happens over a seven-day period we’re pleased with the performance of both ‘Jane’ and ‘Crazy Ex.’ You don’t see it because we don’t release our digital numbers. But we know whats going on, we know the affection and affinity both those shows have.”

After Pedowitz’s Q&A with reporters, he was also asked to comment on the allegations of sexual harassment against Leslie Moonves, whose CBS is part-owner of the CW. “I cannot discuss CBS, we’re a [joint venture],” he said. “We’re a different place, different culture, different world. We’re autonomous. Les is a great executive and they’ll determine what best happens.”

Among other topics, Pedowitz said there’s no word yet on what a “Batwoman” series might look like, as it’s in the early stage of development as a pilot. “Whether it goes to series I cant tell you yet,” he said.

Pedowitz said the network is excited about returning to Sunday night this fall, a day the network “let go 10 years ago and now coming back at full force.” That will allow for more content on the network’s air; Pedowitz also noted that from a diversity standpoint, 12 of The CW’s 17 series are executive produced by women or writers of color.

Meanwhile, asked the perennial question about the future of “Supernatural,” as it hits 300 episodes, Pedowitz once again reiterated that the show could continue as long as stars Jared Padalecki and Jesnsen Ackles want to do it. But it looks like The CW is done with “Supernatural” spinoffs, after none have caught on with viewers. “‘Supernatural’ may be Jared and Jensen and it may not be a franchise beyond that,” he said.

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