In recent years, the CW has always kicked off its Thursday morning upfront with a top musical act like the Jonas Brothers, Katy Perry or Jared Leto’s 30 Seconds to Mars, but never has the network hosted such an iconic performer as Stevie Wonder.
The R&B legend made a surprise appearance at the presentation at New York City Center in Midtown Manhattan to the delight of the packed house for the final upfront of the week, the first time such in-person events had been held in three years.
With a full backing band, Wonder performed his megahit “Superstition” to raucous applause and a standing O, changing some of the lyrics to say “CW is the way.”
It was a hard act to follow, but CW chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz came out on stage and lauded Wonder’s legacy as an artist and an activist, saying he paved the way for the network’s programming that was “open to all” and “daring to defy.”
“Supernatural” stars Jared Padalecki, Misha Collins and Jensen Ackles interrupted Pedowitz with a series of joke-y pitches, like The Demon’s Choice Awards and a very special Chanukah episode of “Walker Texas Rabbi.”
They were there to promote “Walker,” a “Texas Ranger” rebbot and a prequel series, “Walker: Independence,” as well as the new “Supernatural” prequel “The Winchesters” and “Gotham Knights,” a new DC drama.
With the CW potentially up for sale, this Wonder-ous presentation could be one for the TV history books.
