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Vampires, vampires, vampires. It seems they do in fact exist and, according to the ratings, it looks like they're here to stay. 

The CW (formerly known as the network that just 'Can't Win') has a new hit. Their show, Vampire Diaries, topped the charts in September sucking in 4.8 million viewers as CW's most-watched series premiere to date. Note: 3.1 million of those were women ages 18-34. 

It's a good thing too because with Melrose Place losing viewers by the minute, 90210 being a way worse carbon copy of the original and Gossip Girl not counting (okay fine, it counts), CW execs can finally relax for awhile.

Vampire Diaries, starring Nina Dobrev, Paul Wesley and Ian Somerhalder, is based on the book series by the same name from author L.J. Smith.  It focuses around two vampire brothers vying for the heart (and soul) of Elena, the prettiest and most popular girl in school...I guess the only difference between this show and all the other teeny bopper favorites is that Elena occasionally dies, comes back to life, transforms into a vampire, transcends into an angel, etc. etc. 

Regardless of what makes the show so special, it has undeniably earned its full-season 9-episode order after sustaining a healthy 1.8 average rating and 5 share from its audience. 

Executive producers Julie Plec and Kevin Williamson (the screenwriter behind Scream and Dawson's Creek) are thrilled with the show's success, especially considering they almost didn't do it on account of accusations that it was just a Twilight rip-off. But as Williamson says, it's about much more than just a few blood-thirsty vampires:

"We’re living in an age where Twilight is being read by thirteen-year-old girls...Subconsciously, they’re reading about sex, but they don’t know it. They’re reading about sex and sexuality, their awakening, and it’s all through the guise of this very safe vampire who goes and bites your neck and does nothing else. It’s a very safe form of releasing sexual tension." 

And in no way is that creepy at all. 

This blog has been contributed by Film & TV Channel assistant Kristen Berke.