The CW Source

One half of our favorite Hunting team turns 26 today - and yes, it's hard for us to believe that Jared Padalecki is so darn young. Happy birthday, Jared!

We've loved watching Jared show off his acting chops in Supernatural, marveling at the guy's talent as storylines got more complex and deep. Sam could have been a bit of a one-note character - his only goal was to find Jess' killer and then get back to his normal life. But Jared brought more layers to Sam then we originally could have imagined. We've seen Sam confront more horrors than we can count, including horrors within himself. He discovered he could never have the "normal" life he always craved, and he fought that fate, then embraced it. Along the way, he fought his father (while showing just how similar he and John could be), sparred with his brother (emotionally, physically and philosophically), and battled demons both literal and figurative. He even came back from the dead!

Continue reading "Happy Birthday, Jared Padalecki!" »

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Even The CW's most passionate couples have their moments when things just aren't working out. From flying beer bottles to full-on slaps, these couples didn't hold back when they faced off. Watch the nominees below with Jason C. and cast your vote for the best lovers' quarrel!

You have until Thursday, July 24 at 11:59 PM CT to vote. We'll announce the winner next Tuesday.

LAST WEEK'S WINNER: Congratulations to Smallville's Jimmy and Chloe, who won last week's Sourcie for Best Breakup Scene!

MORE: There's still time to vote for Makeover Meltdown! You have until Monday at 11:59 PM CT, so get voting!

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Gossip Girl heartthrob Chace Crawford celebrates his 23rd birthday today. Happy birthday, Chace! We wonder if he'll do something in NYC or hang out in the Hamptons to celebrate -- the cast has been shooting some season two episodes at Hamptons hotspots this summer.

It's hard to believe that a year ago, we barely knew who this talented guy was. Since fall '07, Chace has burst onto the scene thanks to his gig as Nate on Gossip Girl. What a year he's had! Professionally, Chace has gotten comfortable living in NYC with fellow castmate and friend Ed Westwick. We think he's really grown as an actor -- when Nate was first introduced in the pilot, he seemed one-note, but Chace made us realize there's more to Nate than just girl trouble. As the season went on, we saw that Nate's not just a confused guy torn between two best friends -- he's got real problems and pressures that affect his future. And Chace did an amazing job showing us how Nate deals with some serious issues. In just the first half of the season, Nate fought with his embezzling, drug-dealing dad and tried to reason with a mom who's perpetually in denial. He staved off major pressure from his parents to propose to Blair, even though it meant he was no longer the good son. And his seemingly untouchable friendship with Chuck suffered when Nate discovered Chuck and Blair had shared a night of passion. Fortunately, those two have made amends, and we're looking forward to another season of Chuck/Nate escapades!

After a one-night stand with Serena and the end of his long-term relationship with Blair, Nate dabbled in a relationship with Vanessa that ended along with the first season of Gossip Girl. The finale alluded to Nate and Serena getting back together, but we're also hearing that Nate will be hooking up with a thirtysomething cougar in season two. We're excited to see what Nate's up to this fall!

On a personal level, Chace's own dating life made the news when gossip mags found out about his short-lived relationship with Carrie Underwood (the two later broke up via text message). Since the breakup, the Texas native has stayed single and recently revealed his perfect date: playing the Wii, hitting a concert, or taking in a basketball game. Ladies, take note!

We here at The CW Source hope Chace has a fantastic 23rd birthday celebration. Post your birthday wishes for Chace here!

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After watching the incredible "Skin" last week, we're a little disappointed by "Hook Man." The plot is questionable, and the damsel in distress fails to capture our attention (even though she does briefly capture Sam's!).

In our "Hook Man" podcast, Sarah, Mia and I wonder if we should start carrying around salt-filled shotguns. Also, could that girl have been batting her eyelashes at Sam any more quickly? Wait until your boyfriend's body gets cold, we say!

We discuss the not-that-scary hook man and the excessive exposition that weighed down the episode for us. There's also some talk about Sam's puppy dog eyes and their wondrous powers -- powers that thankfully so far have only been used for good.

Listen to our Supernatural podcast for "Hook Man" and let us know what you think in the comments!

Check us out in iTunes and subscribe if you like what you hear!

Now you can add us as a friend on Facebook!

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Ah, family. They’re the people you can always count on, the folks you know better than anyone else, the people who have to love you and take you in, right? Hah! Obviously, you haven’t been keeping up with your CW shows. They teach us that you never know what’s going on in the hearts and heads of the people who share your genetic material, and what you don’t know can hurt you.

Take Gossip Girl. Serena knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that her grandmother Cece loved her wild side, wanted her to be a free spirit and live the life she desired. Then came the debutante ball, where Serena learned that her grandmother tried to run off her wrong-side-of-the-tracks boyfriend, browbeat her mother into trying to turn Serena into a Junior League robot, and lied about being sick to get her way. Then WE discover Cece lied about lying about being sick. Apparently there’s no room for truth in this family!

The Scott boys of One Tree Hill don’t do any better. They think they know everything they need to know about patriarch Dan Scott -- he’s the original Bad Dad, beyond redemption and bereft of good. But Dan seems to have a secret good streak he’s hiding from his boys, that only Jamie can see.

Continue reading "CW Life Lessons: You Never Know Your Family as Well as You Think" »

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The Winchesters are many things: brave Hunters, kick-ass fighters, snarky scene-stealers, tragic heroes… the list goes on. But are they fashion icons? We here at The CW Source say yes.

No, seriously, hear us out. The Winchesters are quintessential style leaders in that they have determined a signature look and they stick to it, no matter what the dictates of fashion say. According to Sam and Dean, the well-dressed man is wearing layers this season, and every other season. We're talking lots of layers: t-shirt, Henley, flannel shirt of hoodie, and jacket, at the very least. Round out the outfit with well-worn jeans and a few choice accessories (potentially mystical amulet, beer-opening ring, string bracelet, embellished laptop) and then add the finishing touch – copious weaponry. Finish off with the most important layer of all: A gorgeous, growling muscle car that oozes sex appeal. Voila!

Continue reading "CW Fashion Rules: Always Wear Lots of Layers -- No Matter How Hot Your Bod" »

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In theory, makeovers should be positive experiences... but on The CW, that rule doesn't always apply! Take these three competitors in our Worst Makeover Meltdown category. From performance-affecting hair dye to identity-stripped cowboys, these three suffered a major identity crisis after hitting the stylist's chair -- and of course, drama ensued.

Watch the nominees with Jason C., then cast your vote in the poll below! You have until Monday, July 14 at 11:59 PM CT to vote -- and before that, we'll be back with another new Sourcies category on Friday!

MORE: There's still time to vote for Best Breakup! You have until Thursday at 11:59 PM CT, so get voting!

EVEN MORE: Congratulations to Supernatural for its Sourcies victory in Best Hookup!

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Sarah's in shock, but Mia called it: Brooke withholds the truth from Lucas about her "pregnancy" a little too long, causing him to freak out and get slapped by Karen, since he seems to be repeating history. We're impressed by Lucas's stepping up and supporting Brooke... for the most part. Dan, however, is not so supportive when he basically tells Lucas he'd be better off if he didn't exist.

But it's not all pregnancy drama, all the time -- not when Nathan and Haley LOVE EACH OTHER! Squee! Those of you who wanted us to talk more about these two will get your wish this week. We discuss the tattoo's effect on Nathan, Naley's issues with sex (to have it or to wait?), and the adorable declaration of love. So cute!

Oh, and there's some more shady Nikki behavior. We'd rather not discuss her, but Peyton has an awesome eyeliner-related comeback for her that's worth mentioning. Also, where are Jake's parents? We speculate.

Listen to our One Tree Hill podcast for "How Can You Be Sure?"!

Check us out in iTunes and subscribe if you like what you hear!

Now you can add us as a friend on Facebook!

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Fighting Words returns today -- but for once, Sarah, Mia and I aren't fighting! We're pretty much unanimous on the topic of Gossip Girl couples -- but that doesn't mean you shouldn't try to convince us otherwise. Read our take on Gossip Girl's ultimate couple, then voice your opinions in the comments!

Jackie: When Gossip Girl started, I thought Dan and Serena were being set up to be the ultimate couple of the show. Nate and Blair have no chemistry, in my opinion, and Serena and Nate had enjoyed a one-night stand, nothing more. I loved watching Dan and Serena’s relationship start up against all odds, and the fact that Blake and Penn are a real-life couple certainly didn’t hurt their chemistry!

But. Then there was “Victor, Victrola,” which ended with arguably the hottest scene on the entire show (see Sourcies Best First-Time Hookup), the Blair/Chuck limo scene, and I realized that Dan and Serena had nothing on this quick-witted couple. Blair and Chuck toss barbs like they’re water balloons, pioneer preppy trends, and turn Upper East Side society upside down before brunch. I still love Dan and Serena, but by the end of the season I agreed with Dan – they need time apart before they try being a couple again. Their drama exhausts me, but Blair/Chuck drama is just plain exciting. I hereby crown them the ultimate Gossip Girl couple!

Mia: The passion that fills Chuck and Blair when they are around each other is almost too hot to handle. Dan and Serena are so boring, and when they do have drama it makes me want to smack both of them across the face in hopes that they will come to their senses. Dan is too judgmental and Serena is just a complete moron (though I do like them as people and they’re not bad to look at). Chuck and Blair will always be the couple for me – although I don’t think they could ever really be together, and I’m okay with that. That being said, I think Ed Westwick could steam up a room with a broomstick, so perhaps this question isn’t fair.

Sarah: Gossip Girl suffers from a problem that has bedeviled shows since TV was invented. The Powers That Be decided who would be the central couple, and that couple just didn't click. Think Johnny and Greta on Hidden Palms, Ryan and Marissa on The OC, or even (and I know I'm going to get yelled at) Lucas and ANYONE on One Tree Hill. The pairings seemed like a good idea on paper, but something isn't there. In Gossip Girl's case, I find it hard to care about Dan and Serena: Serena turns Dan into a one-dimensional moralist, while Dan makes Serena act like a dim-bulb, flighty flower child with no grasp of reality.

And then there's Blair and Chuck. Bad guys tend to be more fun, and these evil-doers are the most delicious duo I've seen on the screen in a long, long time. Both actors ooze chemistry, and the sparks fly even higher when they're together. Plus, Blair and Chuck actually bring out the best in each other. Nate made Blair into a simpering victim. With Chuck the girl has a spine. Chuck? He's discovered there's a romantic side buried under decades of decadence. It's beautiful to watch.

Sorry, Dan and Serena – you've been displaced.

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Happy 36th birthday to Michael Rosenbaum, the man behind one of our favorite charismatic villains on the CW. His Lex Luthor is all snaky charisma and off-kilter charm. We know he's evil, and even so, we can't help but be swept away by him. We've seen Lex kidnap innocent people, perform experiments on the meteor-infected, lie, steal, shoot people, attempt to create his own army, and oh yeah, throw his own father off a building and to his death. But despite all of that, Lex just leaves us weak in the knees.

Alas, we're not going to have Lex to swoon over next season on Smallville. We were a bit shocked when Michael announced he was leaving Smallville. Of course, he was his usual sweet, funny self in his note to fans on his web site: "I hope that I gave you some enjoyment over the years, and that you found my portrayal of Lex Luthor to be satisfying. I am truly grateful, as Smallville fans are the best fans out there. I sincerely hope that you will continue to follow my career through my hair growth period and beyond."

That's one of the only upsides we can see about Michael leaving Smallville -- poor Michael can finally stop shaving his head!

Much as we'll miss Michael's Lex, we're looking forward to seeing him take on his post-Smallville career. Will he go the hero route? After all, he already provided the voice of the Flash in the Justice League cartoon. Or will we get to see more of Michael's comedy chops, like what we've seen in Sorority Boys or Kickin It Old Skool? Whatever role he chooses, we'll be watching!

Until he figures out his next step, we bet Michael will be kicking back and enjoying life. We hope he spent his birthday doing something he loved, like playing hockey or listening to some serious 80s rock. Or maybe he combined both loves, and played hockey against the members of Journey while Foreigner sang! Rock on!

Happy birthday, Michael, and thanks for giving us seven years of Lex. We can't wait to see what's next.

Leave your birthday wishes for Michael in the comments!

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