UPN Unchains Itself From ‘Reality’

While controversy continues to swirl around the stream of unscripted series, UPN, which aired the low-rated “Chains of Love” last season, is moving away from the sexy and salacious nature of the genre--at least for now.

Dean Valentine, president and CEO of UPN, told a gathering of TV reporters and critics in Pasadena on Monday that the network was not developing additional shows in the vein of “Chains of Love,” in which singles were handcuffed to four members of the opposite sex. The series debuted to poor numbers in April.

Valentine joked to reporters that network executives “killed the show,” adding that he thought the series may have suffered from both the tough competition in its time slot and NBC’s heavy promotion for its game show “The Weakest Link,” which debuted about the same time.

In the continuing quest for young viewers, “reality series are a lot like heroin,” Valentine said. “There’s a real big high at first, followed by a long low.” He said the focus should be on developing traditional comedies and sitcoms that can attract that same desired demographic.

The fledgling network is not altogether abandoning unscripted series. He said UPN is in partnership with Endemol Entertainment, creator of CBS’ “Big Brother,” to create a series revolving around a family. He said the premise would be whether a family provided with real “quality time” together can get along.

In other news, Valentine continued to express excitement and confidence about the network’s acquisition of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” from the rival WB, and announced the series will make its UPN premiere Oct. 9 with a two-hour episode. UPN is hoping to attract higher ratings with the Tuesday-night block of “Buffy” and the teen alien show “Roswell,” also jumping from the WB. (The WB is part-owned by Tribune Co., which owns the Los Angeles Times.)

With the help of those two dramas and the premiere of a new “Star Trek” franchise, “Enterprise,” on Sept. 26, Valentine predicted that UPN would win out over the WB four out of the five nights the two networks go head to head.

UPN outbid the WB for “Buffy,” paying about $2.3 million an episode, a deal worth more than $100 million over the next two years--about $22 million more than the WB’s final offer of $1.8 million an installment.

“Buffy” star Sarah Michelle Gellar also appeared before reporters, animatedly giving her support to what she called a fresh beginning for “Buffy.” Gellar had hinted months ago that she might want to leave the series if it left the WB, and there had been rumors she would not attend the “Buffy” press conference.

“Dean has said things to make us feel very welcome,” Gellar said. “I’m happy that we’re going to be able to make the show we want to make.”

The drama’s creator, Joss Whedon, added that he was feeling more creatively excited about the show than he had for three years. “There’s another 100 stories I want to tell,” he said.

While Valentine said he would be open to crossover episodes of “Buffy” and its spinoff “Angel,” which remains on the WB, Whedon said he felt the shows could stand on their own. WB President Jordan Levin told reporters Sunday there would be no crossover story lines.