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10/27/2008 3:33 AM

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The opening of CW's "Supernatural" was a real chiller - as in "Chiller Theater." Filmed in black-and-white, and with all the trappings of a classic horror movie, the weekly episode of the series left no doubt it had tongue firmly planted in cheek.

On a dark, if not stormy night, the two leads drove into Pennsylvania on a remote stretch of highway, remarked how "local radio sucks," and parked their car in ... Canonsburg.

The location wasn't exactly evident at first - the boys began their investigation at an unspecified Oktoberfest celebration that was the backdrop for the entire hour. But midway through the show, the investigation led them to a fictional "Canonsburg Museum of American History." There were no other local references (unless there is a "Crazy Ed" roaming the 'Burg), and it's evident none of the scenes were shot in Canonsburg. Was the location chosen at random or did one of the writers have a Washington County connection?

A call to the "Supernatural" office brought a promise of a copy of the episode as well as an explanation of the Canonsburg shout out, but to date, neither promise has been delivered. With an average of 3 million viewers, the series was nonetheless a nice plug for the Oktoberfest. (Those who missed the show can still view the entire episode on the CW Web site. Click on the video link, then "Supernatural," then the Monster Movie episode. The Canonsburg sighting is at the 15-minute mark of the show.)

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With or without the local connection, this "Supernatural" episode was a very amusing change-of-pace show that could well become a Halloween tradition. Especially the scene with the pizza.

Pink slips, anyone?

It's a week as traditional as the start of the fall season, albeit not quite as well-publicized. Come the last week of October, most new series find out if they'll be around for the rest of the season.

The cast of four freshmen shows need not walk the hallways. The critically acclaimed "The Mentalist" and "Fringe" have been renewed through May, as have the considerably less esoteric "Knight Rider" and "90210." The CW's "Privileged" also has been extended for at least two episodes.

There won't be any floor walking on the sets of "Do Not Disturb" and "Opportunity Knocks," either, but that's only because the sets are already gone. Both shows have been placed on hiatus, which in the television dictionary is defined as canceled. "Do Not Disturb" was produced by Washington resident Abraham Higgenbotham, who also helmed the much higher-rated "Back To You," which "Disturb" briefly replaced this season. (By the way, if you were a fan of "Back To You," its one and only season is now available on DVD, including three episodes that never aired.)

This fall, of course, there were a number of returning series that were renewed mostly on a hunch that ratings would improve over last year's strike-shortened season. So far, three have made the cut for a full run - "Chuck," "Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles" and "Private Practice." None has been a breakout hit, but evidently the networks like what they've seen so far.

Here's a quick rundown of the other freshmen and sophomore series:

New series

Crusoe: Television hasn't offered this type of quality family series for years, and the ratings explain why. Despite a healthy influence from "Pirates of the Caribbean," few youngsters or their parents tuned in to this Friday family-hour show. Renewal odds: Fair

Eleventh Hour: Same old, same old from CBS apparently reaps same super results, as "Eleventh Hour" whipped its rival ("Life On Mars") by its second outing. Renewal odds: Good

Gary Unmarried: Unremarkable sitcom, but unremarkable is OK in today's sitcom world. A pleasant diversion that is matched well with "Old Christiine." Renewal odds: Good

In Harm's Way/Valentine/ Easy Money: These outsourced CW programs are averaging about 600,000 viewers a week. Or less than the CW would do with "Three Stooges" reruns. Hmmm - could be an option ... Renewal odds: None

Kath & Kim: An embarrassment by any sitcom standards, "K&K" nonetheless drew a decent audience for its premiere. By episode two, many of the viewers bailed out. NBC may well be considering in its stead a weekly run of a 30-minute "Saturday Night Live," which has outdrawn all of its Thursday sitcoms thus far. "K&K" renewal odds: Poor

Life On Mars: Good premise, good cast, slipping ratings. But ABC will give this classy entry every opportunity to succeed. Renewal odds: Good

My Own Worst Enemy: The convoluted teasers turned off viewers before they even saw a full episode. The only freshman series with star power (Christian Slater), it wasn't even competitive with "CSI: Miami" and "Boston Legal." Renewal odds: Poor

Worst Week: Given its hammock between "Two and a Half Men" and "CSI: MIami," it's not the hit that CBS expected, but it's stablized quite well, and is giving competitor "Samantha Who" a run for its money. Renewal odds: Good

Second-look series

Big Bang Theory: Holding its own against ABC's "Dancing with the Stars" juggernaut, it also is drawing more viewers than its companion sitcom, "How I Met Your Mother." Renewal odds: Excellent

Dirty Sexy Money: The series is a hoot, but night owls aren't tuning in to this 10 p.m. show. Renewal odds: Fair

Eli Stone: A likeable cast and light-hearted storyline are delivering less-than-stellar ratings so far. ABC has gotta have faith, faith, faith in "Eli," but for how long? Renewal odds: Fair

Life: Death. Renewal odds: Poor

Pushing Daisies: Yep. Renewal odds: Poor

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