Reaper fans have been having a devil of a time these past few weeks. At long last, the show returned from the writers’ strike with episodes that took the supernatural action comedy to new peaks of creativity, even while the freshman series remained conspicuously absent from the list of programs the CW has renewed for next season. Star Bret Harrison (pictured), who plays retail peon/bounty hunter for hell Sam Oliver, phoned me today from Los Angeles to plug the season finale (airing May 20), which he promises will be full of answers to questions the show has been posing all season, and to urge fans cross their fingers that the CW will renew the series. (In fact, they can do more than that. In honor of sidekick Sock, played by Tyler Labine, some fans have joined in a Jericho-like campaign to send their socks to the CW’s Burbank office to demonstrate their support. Harrison has a post on his website, Krakoom.com, showing solidarity with the sock-senders.)
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Do you have any indication whether or not the CW will pick up the show?
Bret Harrison: I have no idea. I think they’re going to let us know Tuesdaymorning or something. [Tuesday, May 13, is the day the CW announces its fall slate at its upfront presentation to advertisers.] We just finished shooting the last scene on Monday. It’s really hard to say goodbye to thewhole cast and crew when it’s "Bye… maybe?" It’s a weird emotion.
Assuming there is a second season, what would you like to see happen on the show?
What they’ve been doing these last five episodes is what I hopethey’d keep continuing. It’s what we always wanted to do. It’s the show we pitched. For a while, it went down this wholepath of hammering the premise home because of new viewers. I was like, "What about theviewers we always had?" I don’t know if it was the strike or what, but finally, the writers got a chance to do what they always wanted:the mythology, the Ken Marino-Michael Ian Black story [about the gay couple, Sam's neighbors, who were also demons plotting a rebellion against Satan], Sam being chased by demons and not just souls,and trying to find a way to take down the Devil. The big question is: Is the Devil Sam’s father or not?
Do you think Sam is the Devil’s son?
I really have no idea. I kind of think so. I’m thinking hybrid.
Like a Prius.
Yes.
Fans have been divided on whether Sam and his love interest, Andi (Missy Peregrym), got together too quickly, whether it was too soon for him to reveal to her that he hunts down escaped souls from hell, and for her to join the soul-busting gang that includes Sam, Sock, and Ben (Rick Gonzalez).
I think it’s awesome. My vote is just to let it all out. Yougo for it, you don’t hold back on too much of anything. I think its really coolthat she’s part of the gang. There certainly won’t be any less drama. I’m sure Sam will run into some hot demon that will tempt our relationship.
I had a theory early on that the reason the Devil was keeping Sam and Andi apart was that she had some supernatural secret of her own. Does she have any surprises like that in store for us?
Hopefully some of those questions have been answered. If wejust throw these two characters together in scenes were there’s action, it’llbe inevitable for stuff to come out that way.
There are some other lingering questions, such as, What was on the page of the contract for Sam’s soul that his dad tossed into the fire?
They kind of answer that in the finale episode. A lot is coming out in the finale episode.
Are we ever going to see Cady (Sam’s earlier girlfriend, who may have been the Devil’s daughter) again? I’m guessing not, since Jessica Stroup got cast in that 90210 spinoff.
Probably not.
The show is so funny; how do you guys manage to keep a straight face?
We don’t. A week and a half ago, we were shooting a whole sequence where Sam has to be on Sock’s shoulders while he’s making out with this succubus. And I’m attached to these wires that are attached to a truck so I can take some of the weight off Tyler’s shoulders. That was the best day. He’d bail out, and I’d go flying behind the truck and whack the truck a few times. It was a very fun day. I feel like I have the best job in the world. I’m laughing all day every day.
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I’m still rooting for you, “Reaper”. I’m hoping very much that a renewal will indeed mean a continuance of an arc and the mythology (a la “Buffy”) rather than this soooo overdone “demon of the week” crap (I realize the need to hook new viewers, but “The X-Files”, “Smallville” and even the pinnacle that is “Buffy” have already overdone it, and to better effect).
Good luck cast and crew! I hope to see you again for season two. Best show ever.
I enjoy the DOTW stuff but, dammit, I just saw “Rebellion” and I am so psyched for this series. Season two can only make it better.
Take off your socks!
Good luck Brett. I’m crossing my fingers for you!
I really want this show to have a Season Two. The dynamic of Sam and his buddies and his girl trying to fight the devil…I love it! The devil is such an interesting character as well as being super evil (He killed Steve! They were such good characters together!)
I hope this show keeps bringin’ the funny every week, because I love watching it.
This show is awesome! We very much would love to see a Season 2.
Steve and Tony, Ben’s “marriage”, Gladys, and best of all Sock! This show keeps us a little weirded out and laughing at the same time. I can’t wait to see where they go with it (hopefully!)
Loved Bret in “The Loop”! That show was absolutely hilarious. Here’s hoping “Reaper” is not cancelled before its time as well.
Love the show!! Hope we see a season 2!
This is my favorite show of the week. I will be so sad if it is canceled. I will send all of my holy socks for the campaign!
So cute. I have loved him since Grounded for Life.
Please let there be a season 2.
This show really sucked when it got too same-y but post-strike it has been phenomenal. I hope this is picked up for season 2!
I am casting my vote a second season of Reaper. Keep truckin’!
I think Bret confirmed one of my suspicions. When Andi used the scythe vessel on the soul two weeks ago, I believe she was the first person other than Sam to use a vessel. That’s got to count for something, right?
PLEASE DONT CANCEL THIS SHOW!!! ITS MY FAVORITE SHOW DURING THE WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!
(also i think rich is right – sock tried to use a vessel on the invisible guy and it didnt work but andi used the scythe on mr spermy and it worked)
please dont cancel this show
if the cw does itll just prove the cw has no idea wat theyre doing — they always cancel the shows people r watching and keep the ones no one watches
I really hope this comes back for another season – it’s one of my favorites and has really improved since the strike. Give it another shot, CW!
Loved the Loop and hope it is on DVD soon. In other news: Is Bret single, and is he looking? He is one cutey pie!
So let’s get this straight. The CW is sitting on the fence with Reaper that has a small but growing fanbase and is overall praised by critics.
Smallville, with a rapidly declining fanbase and is reviled by just about everyone (have you seen the comments on TWOP? Ha!) is renewed with Tom Welling apparently the only original cast member left?
Reaper, Pushing Daisies and Chuck are the best of the 2007-08 freshmen class. CW: at least do one thing right, and bring it back…
Good Luck cast of Reaper! Whole-heartedly hope to see you all back for a season 2! LOVE the show!
Well, good luck Reaper fans, from a JerichoNUT. I’ve never had a chance to watch an episode of Reaper, but I like the idea just wish I had time.
Bret was robbed when a great show like The Loop was cancelled. Please don’t do it to him again with Reaper. It’s a smart, witty show that deserves another season!
Season 1 of The Loop is available on DVD (only 7 eps). Don’t know when season 2 is being released.
This is by far, BY FAR, one of the best f’in shows on tv right now. If people would stop watching American Idol and all the other reality Tv TRASH, they might realize what a good series they’ve been missing out on….