Ding-dong the witch is dead. I mean the writer’s strike is officially over… time to grab the remote and reclaim your favorite spot on the couch.
Your favorite stars are heading back to work and new episodes of your favorite shows will begin airing in the next few weeks. Actually, it might be a couple months before we learn the fate of characters on Wisteria Lane and in emergency rooms in Chicago and Seattle since it will take a while for stalled shows to get new episodes written, rehearsed, shot and edited. Other shows are done for the season (a preemptive move made as result of the 14 week work stoppage). Still, by the time spring rolls around I have a feeling there will be more people interested in what’s on TV than what blossoming in their front yards.
Network execs have already given the go-ahead to special ads promoting the return of fans favorites such as Gossip Girl, Grey’s Anatomy and The Office. In addition, network bigwigs just released a partial list of TV shows and their anticipated return dates. Take a look to see when new episodes of your favorites will be back on the air:
ABC
Late March/Early April: Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Samantha Who?, Ugly Betty, Brothers & Sisters.
Returning Fall 2008: Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, Dirty Sexy Money
May Not Return: Cashmere Mafia
Won’t Return: Big Shots, Carpoolers
NBC
End of February: Saturday Night Live
Late March/Early April: The Office, 30 Rock, ER, Medium, My Name is Earl, Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Returning Fall 2008: Heroes, Chuck
May Not Return: Friday Night Lights
Won’t Return: Bionic Woman
No Word Yet: Lipstick Jungle, Scrubs, Las Vegas
CBS
Late March/Early April: Two and a Half Men, How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, NCIS, CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, Without a Trace, Cold Case, Ghost Whisperer
May Not Return: Moonlight
Won’t Return: Cane
No Word Yet: The New Adventures of Old Christine, Rules of Engagement, Jericho, Shark, The Unit
FOX
Late March/Early April: Back to You, ‘Til Death
Returning Fall 2008: 24
May Not Return: Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
No Word Yet: House, Prison Break
CW
Late March/Early April: Gossip Girl, Smallville, Supernatural, The Game, Reaper, One Tree Hill
May Not Return: Aliens in America, Everybody Hates Chris
Related Articles:
Hollywood Writers Going Back to Work
How the Writers’ Strike is Affecting Viewing Habits–The Truth About “The Moment of Truth”
What’s Going On with the Hollywood Writers Strike?
What Hollywood Stars Are Doing During the Writers’ Strike
Striking Writers Looking to Head Back to the Bargaining Table
TV Good News/Bad News: Oprah Winfrey Network and Another Hit to Striking Writers
The Golden Globe Awards Show Bites the Dust
David Letterman Strikes Deal with Writers
Major Changes in Store for This Year’s People’s Choice Awards
Kimmel, Stewart and Colbert Returning with New Shows
Save Your Jokes Late-Night TV Hosts Can’t Take Them
Leno and O’Brien Returning to Late-Night TV
Ray of Hope Emerges for Striking Hollywood Writers
The Continuing Writers Strike—What’s Happening with Your Favorite Shows?
The Writers Strike and Late-Night Talk Shows—THE BACKLASH!
Writers Strike—Is There an End in Sight?
Writers Strike Update–How Many New Episodes Are Left?
Hollywood Writers’ Strike—Week 3: Movie Alert
Writers’ Strike–Producers Hit Back