The CW likes giving its young audience a steady diet of darkness, and that tradition continues with 'Cult' (9 tonight, the CW), a creepy, high-concept drama that isn't as confusing as it sounds.

Basically it's a show within a show. Jeff (Matt Davis), is a disgraced newspaper reporter with a brother who has had issues with drugs and maybe with paranoia. The brother is a super fan of 'Cult,' a hit show on the CW that has devotees that don't just watch; they search for clues on websites, create their own sites, re-enact scenes and dress like character. The show's creator is a mystery man no one sees.

'Cult' as the title implies, is about a cult led by charismatic/creepy leader Billy Grimm (Robert Knepper) who taunts cop Kelly (Alona Tal), who was also once a member of the group.

When Jeff's brother tries to tell him the show is coming to life, Jeff is naturally skeptical. But then Jeff's brother disappears. So Jeff begins investigating the show, pulling in Skye (Jessica Lucas), a researcher on 'Cult' who has concerns about the fanaticism surrounding it.

As Jeff's investigation begins, people start to kill themselves and come up missing. There are cult members everywhere. The cult, it seems, has come to life.

If you're confused by my words, in the viewing it's much clearer. And it's a great comment on the depth and breadth of social media, reality vs fantasy, and the power of media. In the hands of say, Joss Whedon, there would probably be more humor, which would be nice.

Still there's lots to build on. Skye has a back story concerning her father, and press notes say the show will explore the effects of the fans' craziness on the actors playing Billy Grimm and Kelly, which sounds promising.

"Cult" is an inventive idea that could lure some true devotees.

Emily Owens, M.D.

Tuesdays at 9 on The CW

Every once in awhile, a show comes along that just makes you feel good, that makes you feel like you've discovered something delightful that might be overlooked.

This season, this is that show. Sure, it features TV's new favorite character -- the awkward white girl -- but it does so in a winning way.

Mamie Gummer (Yes, she's Meryl Streep's daughter but there's more to her identity!) plays Emily who we meet as a geeky high school girl, one of those soulful misfits with a lot more on her mind than most will ever know.

Beauty and the Beast

Thursdays at 8 on The CW

Look at that picture. Does he look like a beast? Does she look like a no-nonsense homicide detective?

Yes, there's an inherent element of the fantastical in any telling of this story. But this version aims to update it by making a realistic, modern, gritty version. And it fails in that effort with results ranging consistently between dopey and implausible.

The Arrow

Wednesdays at 8 on The CW

In these bleak times, superheroes offer a little inspiration, a little sense of justice. That's the attraction of "The Arrow." You coul add to that list a sense of redemption, a dash of revenge, and a dollop of vigilantism.

Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) is the son of a billionaire and a not very nice guy. He's the kind of player who sleeps with the sister of Laurel (Katie Cassidy), the girl he's dating.

That doesn't end well for the sister or the player; on a yacht trip, the boat capsizes in the storm, sweeping the sister away.

I never watch the CW. Even when there's a show I find interesting ("Nikita," "The Vampire Diaries"), my remote just won't go there.

But maybe I'll try a little harder to get there for "The L.A. Complex" (9 tonight, the CW). It's a show that could only exist on the CW -- it's about young good-looking people living in a grungy Los Angeles apartment building -- but it has moments that set it apart, lending an unexpected poignancy.

All the residents are aspiring to make it in Hollywood. There's a seemingly sweet girl who wants to be a dancer; a very unfunny guy who wants to be a comedian; a nerdy black guy who wants to be a rap producer; a Canadian transplant who wants to be an actress.

UPDATE: The CW has moved this episode to Feb. 6. Raleigh native Tift Merritt will get some primetime network television exposure Monday on the CW drama "Hart of Dixie."

Merritt, a Grammy nominated singer-songwriter, will premiere her new song "Sweet Spot" on the show's Valentine's Day episode. "Hart of Dixie" is set in the fictional small town of Blue Bell, Alabama. The show's pilot was shot in Wilmington but subsequent filming moved to Los Angeles.

In the January 30 February 6 episode, Merritt plays herself, performing "Sweet Spot" with two of her band members at the town's annual Valentine's dance.

If you take a splash of "Tabatha Takes Over" and a dash of Joe Zee in "All on the Line" and a dollop of "Scouted," you get the idea of "Remodeled" (9 tonight, CW), a reality series that takes place in the world of modeling.

The show focuses on Paul Fisher, who apparently represented top models like Naomi Campbell, Stephanie Seymour and Carre Otis. Now, because most models are found in small locales and brought to the big city, he wants to build a network of modeling agencies around the world; the show follows his efforts to whip the small agencies into shape and find the best models to bring to New York.
 

The CW series "One Tree Hill" will wrap next week after nine seasons of production in Wilmington.

What happens next will be a huge "wrap sale," and your chance to own some of the clothing and other items used on the show.

The Wilmington Star-News wrote about the wrap sale, which will begin with a tag sale of about 15,000 pieces of wardrobe items, artwork and linens with fixed prices available for purchase December 2-4. The next weekend, December 9-11, furniture and appliances will be auctioned. They quote a marketer of the event, managed by Auction Company of Wilmington, as saying the more in-demand items will be auctioned the afternoon of December 10.

Screen Gems Studios is located at 1223 23rd Street in Wilmington. There's more detailed information about the auction items (including photos) and times at the Auction Company of Wilmington website.

Go get some stuff!

In "Hart of Dixie" (9 tonight, CW) Zoe Hart (Rachel Bilson) wants to be a big-time New York doctor like her dad, and is on the fast track to her goal. But Hart is cold-hearted, (get it?!) and on TV that means she needs to get some humility -- pronto.

Zoe's trip to being a better person begins with her accepting a mysterious offer to join a small-town Southern practice. She rolls into town in high heels and a Chanel jacket, of course, to show just how much she does not belong with these fine simple people who will eventually transform her. While the Southerness often goes over the top,  the fish-out-of-water, romance vibe (yes, of course, there's a cute guy waiting there!) is kinda sweet, if not awfully original.

The pilot was shot in Wilmington, so look for familiar sites. (Production has since moved to L.A.)

"Ringer" (9 tonight, the CW) brings back Sarah Michelle Gellar as identical twin sisters, one poor and rehabbing and on the run; the other rich and miserable.

When the rich one seemingly commits suicide, poor sister steps into her life -- and her problems. Those problems include a trouble marriage and an especially tricky affair. And then there's the fact that poor sister is wanted alive as a witness by the police and wanted dead because she witnessed that crime.

Though nowhere near the smart, nuanced storytelling of "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," the show's fun; there are a lot of delicious twists to build on. Sadly, the CGI budget must be small; I think I could see the green screen when the two Sarahs appeared together.