Fans were not prepared to lose their beloved teen hero, foxy detective Veronica Mars, played by Kristen Bell. It has nevertheless happened: CW cancelled the show after three seasons.

Paradoxically, while the show had a cult following its ratings decreased continually. Last week, only approximately 1.8 million viewers tuned in to watch it. Created by Rob Thomas, “Veronica Mars” debuted on UPN and moved to CW after two seasons.

The network, which is actually a merge between WB and the aforementioned UPN, will replace the show (as well as “Gilmore Girls” and “7th Heaven”) with the new “Gossip Girl,” about a group of prep school teenagers in Manhattan.

Also new on CW are the comedy “Aliens in America,” about a Pakistani exchange student’s adjustment to the US; “Life Is Wild,” a drama about a NYC family that moves to South Africa; and “Reaper,” also a drama, about a youth fighting evil.

The network will debut its youth oriented “CW Now,” presenting news in entertainment, while “Online Nation,” also addressing a younger demographic, will be completely user-generated and feature the best of online videos.

Come midseason, CW will be ready to air “Farmer Wants A Wife,” a reality show about one man from the country choosing from 10 tired-of-the-city hopeful women.

“One Tree Hill” will make its return in midseason, its characters four years older and having already gone through college.

“Veronica Mars” will treat fans with its two-hour finale on May 22 at 8 p.m.