The writers strike: to be continued…
December 10, 2007
On Friday, talks between the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers and the Writers Guild of America ended without a resolution after eight days of negotiations.
The ends of most TV shows are in sight since most network shows have six or fewer episodes remaining, and movies scheduled for 2009, such as “Da Vinci Code” prequel “Angels and Demons,” are likely going to be pushed back.
Even if the strike were to end now, the earliest new shows would be broadcast would be late February. Writers are given a two-week hiatus for the holiday season, and no studio is likely to pay the startup and shutdown costs for a TV show so close to that break.
Here’s a breakdown of what’s to come over the next couple months as several shows go to reruns and the networks air more specials.
ABC
“According to Jim” and “Lost” will return. The network has some new reality shows planned, as well as some scripted shows that were completed before the strike, such as “Cashmere Mafia.”
CBS
CBS’ January and February programming includes new versions of “Big Brother” and “Survivor,” as well as new seasons of “The New Adventures of Old Christine” and “Jericho.”
CBS is also in the process of acquiring “Dexter” from sister network Showtime – it will be edited for content and commercial space – and will possibly get “The Tudors” and “Weeds” too.
NBC
“Law & Order,” “Medium” and “The Biggest Loser” return in January, and the network is going to rebroadcast “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” from USA Network. Thursday night will add “Celebrity Apprentice,” a new drama “Lipstick Jungle,” reality programs including “Baby Borrowers,” and a revival of “American Gladiators.”
NBC could even take programs such as “Project Runway” from sister network Bravo.
Fox
“24” is still on indefinite hold and, “Prison Break” returns in January for its last remaining episodes. The network will offer a mix of reality (“American Idol” and “When Women Ruled the World”), comedy (“The Return of Jezebel James”) and drama (“Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles”) as spring progresses. The Sunday-night comedies – “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” etc. – will air new episodes periodically.
The CW
“One Tree Hill” will return in January while “Reaper” goes on hiatus for a few months. The network will build up on reality shows “Beauty and the Geek,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “Crowned,” “Farmer Needs a Wife” and “Pussycat Dolls 2: Girlicious.”
Cable
Most cable programs, such as “Monk,” “The Shield” and “Greek,” finished writing well before the strike began, so they will go uninterrupted. However, shows scheduled for the summer could face delays.
Ending shortly
“Pushing Daisies” airs its final episode this week.
“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Desperate Housewives” and “Women’s Murder Club” each have one new episode left – they’re yet to be scheduled.
The “CSI” trio, “NCIS,” “Criminal Minds,” “Without a Trace” and “Cold Case” each have only one or two episodes remaining.
“30 Rock” has two episodes left. The last episode is not scheduled yet.
Ended
“Bionic Woman” (NBC), “The Big Bang Theory” (CBS), “Heroes” (NBC), “How I Met Your Mother” (CBS), “Life” (NBC), “The Office” (NBC), “Private Practice” (ABC), “Rules of Engagement” (CBS), “Two and a Half Men” (CBS)
No worries
The CW’s “Everybody Hates Chris” has its entire season finished and “Aliens in America” is just a few episodes short of a full season.