The Devil is back on St. Patrick's Day 2009

The Devil is playing a deep game when it comes to programming.

The CW has scheduled the return of " Reaper" for midseason, pairing it with "90210" on Tuesday nights beginning March 17, it was announced Wednesday.

It's a head-scratching move since the fantastical elements of "Reaper" would have been a natural pairing with " Supernatural" on Thursdays, although "Smallville" is doing well there. "Reaper" will take the place of freshman soap " Privileged," which will have finished its 18-episode run by that time and which has also been testing the waters on Mondays paired with "Gossip Girl" for a few episodes in December.

It's been a long hiatus for "Reaper," but The CW has already ordered up a 13-episode second season.

The cult favorite stars Bret Harrison as Sam, a guy who roped into service as the devil's (Ray Wise) bounty hunter for souls escaped from hell. He's aided by his friends Sock (Tyler Labine) and Ben (Rick Gonzalez) and distracted by his crush/budding relationship with Andi (Missy Peregrym).

When last we left Sam, he was struggling with some suspicions that his parents' involvement with the Devil is not what was previously explained. This season will likely answer questions about Sam's origins and the true nature of Sam's dad, while delving deeper into the mythology of God, demons, angels, Heaven and all that metaphysical stuff.

Besides, "Reaper," The CW has also scheduled its reality competition show, "13 Fear Is Real" for Wednesday, Jan. 7. The horror-based show from executive producers Sam Raimi and Jay Bienstock strands 13 strangers in a remote (and creepy) Louisiana bayou where they must face their darkest fears or be "killed off." The last one alive will be awarded $66,666.

Returning with new episodes are the following: "Gossip Girl" and "One Tree Hill" on Jan. 5, "90210" on Jan. 6, "Smallville" and "Supernatural" on Jan. 15 and "Everybody Hates Chris" and "The Game" on Jan. 9.

There's still no word on what the network plans to do with its Sundays after its provisional lineup of "Jericho" and sitcom reruns and movies runs its course ever since the Sunday night MRC lineup (" Valentine," " Easy Money," " In Harm's Way" and "4Real") was pulled.

The CW's midseason schedule:

Monday
8-9 p.m. - "Gossip Girl" (new episodes begin Jan. 5)
9-10 p.m. - "One Tree Hill" (new episodes begin Jan. 5)

Tuesday
8-9 p.m. - "90210" (new episodes begin Jan. 6)
9-10 p.m. - "Privileged" (new episodes begin Jan. 6)

Wednesday
8-9 p.m. "13 - Fear Is Real" (new episodes begin Jan. 7)
9-10 p.m. "90210" (encore)

Thursday
8-9 p.m. "Smallville" (new episodes begin Jan. 15)
9-10 p.m. "Supernatural" (new episodes begin Jan. 15)

Friday
8-8:30 p.m. - "Everybody Hates Chris" (new episodes begin Jan. 9)
8:30-9 p.m. - "The Game" (new episodes begin Jan. 9)
9-10 p.m. - "13 - Fear Is Real" (encore)

Tuesday (beginning March 17)
8-9 p.m. "90210"
9-10 p.m. "Reaper" premiere