The Writers Guild of America strike looks to be over, but the wait for viewers for new shows is just beginning.

Now, fans of TV will have to spend the next days and weeks awaiting word on which of their favorites will return.

For die-hard TV watchers, the coming days will be much like what Super Tuesday was like for political buffs.

Some of the decisions are no-brainers. Viewers can figure on CBS' "CSI" franchise, as well as "NCIS" and "Two and a Half Men." ABC likely will create new "Desperate Housewives," "Lost," "Grey's Anatomy" and "Samantha Who?" episodes. NBC's "ER," "Heroes," "The Office" and "30 Rock" and Fox's "House" and "Bones" are expected to return to the race.

It's the viewers of shows that had been struggling in the ratings before the strike began that will find the end of the strike is bad news. The bubble shows as they're called, the ones that were at risk of not returning next season, are likely to not get enough support from Hollywood programmers.

Shows like NBC's well-written, but poorly viewed "Friday Night Lights" may not see another day. Other shows whose fate are unknown are CBS' "Shark," "The Unit" and "Cane." And junk like ABC's "Cavemen" won't be back, thankfully.

Some shows could be off for the rest of the season, but return in the fall with all new episodes.

Viewers won't know about those decisions until next week, after the strike order is lifted ending the three-month-old work stoppage. Even then, the major questions remain how the producers will pick up storylines or extend others.

For instance, there's been speculation on gossip pages that "Desperate Housewives" star Eva Longoria is pregnant. If that's true, will it be part of the story this season?

Will "24" return at all this year? Fox had produced eight episodes before the strike and then announced it was postponed indefinitely. Kiefer Sutherland just got out of jail, so, does the show get going again, or just wait until next season?

The good news is the strike appears over and it's going to take eight to 10 weeks before new episodes hit the air.

Now the real wait begins. Will our favorite shows win the Hollywood caucuses, or will they be pulled from the campaign? The results will be out in the coming days.

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2008/02/10/2008-02-10_some_shows_may_not_survive_poststrike.html

The new shows are going to be the one that's future is the bleakest. Except for a couple shows their weren't no smash hit new series out this year.

Which new shows would you say are the safest for returning either this season or next season?

I'd definitely say the ones with the best chances are ABC's Private Practice and Pushing Daisies. Samantha Who? also has a good shot, as well as Big Bang Theory on CBS.

Which new shows would you say are the safest for returning either this season or next season?

I'd definitely say the ones with the best chances are ABC's Private Practice and Pushing Daisies. Samantha Who? also has a good shot, as well as Big Bang Theory on CBS.


I'd say that is an accurate assumption. Back To You might have a chance IF it does well once it returns at the end of February.

I'd say that is an accurate assumption. Back To You might have a chance IF it does well once it returns at the end of February.

And that's after American Idol.

I think for Back to You, it depends on if FOX is either gonna bring back another sitcom, like Til Death or the soon to premiere Jezebel James, to pair it up with, or if they want to save it for midseason to air weekly after American Idol.

FOX brought back Til Death, lower rated than Back to You, to pair it up with, so I think Back to You as a strong chance.

And that's after American Idol.

I think for Back to You, it depends on if FOX is either gonna bring back another sitcom, like Til Death or the soon to premiere Jezebel James, to pair it up with, or if they want to save it for midseason to air weekly after American Idol.

FOX brought back Til Death, lower rated than Back to You, to pair it up with, so I think Back to You as a strong chance.


I agree, at this point, I'll take it as a mid season replacement. Although, usually mid season shows are shows that have one nail left in the coffin.

I agree, at this point, I'll take it as a mid season replacement. Although, usually mid season shows are shows that have one nail left in the coffin.

I think FOX will bring it back for a full season. Plus, if FOX produces all 24 season 1 episodes, they may hold some over for the fall.

I hope Pushing Daisies and Reaper come back

http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-Editors-Blog/Ausiello-Report/Wga-Strike-Favorite/800032698

24
Expected to return this fall or January '09.


30 Rock
Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.


Back to You
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Future TBD*.


Bionic Woman
No new episodes expected. Ever.


The Big Bang Theory
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


Big Love
Expected to go into production on Season 3 in March. Airdate info is TBD.


Big Shots
No new episodes expected. Ever.


Bones
Four pre-strike episodes left. Unclear whether additional episodes will be produced for this season.


Boston Legal
Expected to shoot 4 or 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


Brothers & Sisters
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.


Chuck
No new episodes until fall.


Cold Case
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


Criminal Minds
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


CSI
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


CSI: Miami
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


CSI: NY
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


Desperate Housewives
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.


Dirty Sexy Money
No new episodes planned until fall; three remaining pre-strike episodes will undergo some tweaking and kick off fall run.


ER
TBD.


Everybody Hates Chris
Twelve pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.


Friday Night Lights
No new episodes expected for this season. Future TBD.


Gossip Girl
Expected to shoot up to 9 new episodes to air in April/May/June.


Greek
Kicks off second half of Season 1 on March 24. Still awaiting Season 2 pickup.


Grey's Anatomy
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May


Heroes
TBD.


House
Expected to shoot 4 to 6 new episodes to air in April/May.


How I Met Your Mother
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


Jericho
Seven episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.


Las Vegas
Two pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected for this season.


Law & Order: SVU
TBD.


Life
No new episodes expected until fall.


Life Is Wild
No new episodes expected. Ever.


Lost
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Six additional episodes could air this season.


Medium
Six pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.


Men in Trees
Eleven pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.


Moonlight
No new episodes expected until fall.


My Name Is Earl
Expected to shoot 8 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.


NCIS
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes, only three of which may air this season.


The New Adventures of Old Christine
Seven pre-strike episodes remain. No additional episodes expected this season.


Nip/Tuck
Season 5 concludes Feb. 19. Production on the show's eight-episode sixth season expected to start up this summer. Airdate TBD.


Numbers
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes, only three of which may air this season.


October Road
Five pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.


The Office
Expected to shoot 5 to 10 new episodes to air in April/May.


One Tree Hill
Six pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.


Prison Break
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.


Private Practice
Slim chance it could return with 4 or 5 new episodes this season. Either way, it'll be back in the fall.


Pushing Daisies
No new episodes until fall.


Reaper
Three pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.


Samantha Who?
Three remaining pre-strike episodes could possibly surface this season, or be held until fall (see Dirty Sexy Money).


Saturday Night Live
Could be back on the air as early as Feb. 16.


Scrubs
Four pre-strike episodes remain. Four additional episodes will likely be shot; unclear whether they'll air on NBC or go straight to DVD.


Smallville
Four pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot 3 to 5 additional episodes to air in April/May.


Supernatural
Two pre-strike episodes remain. Expected to shoot 3 to 5 additional episodes to air in April/May.


Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Five pre-strike episodes remain. Future beyond that TBD.


Two and a Half Men
Expected to shoot 5 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


Ugly Betty
Expected to shoot 4 or 5 new episodes to air in April/May.


Without a Trace
Expected to shoot 4 to 7 new episodes to air in April/May.


Women's Murder Club
Shocking development: A deal to bring the show back this season is being hammered out as I write this. Stay tuned...

I dont watch any of those; the strike had no effect on me, whatsoever

What about L&O: Criminal Intent?

why no more Pushing Daisies until the fall?

I do think that the 2008-2009 season should have more episodes than normal. A show that does 22 episode seasons should have 27-28 episodes, 24 episodes maybe 30 episodes. I think they need to balance back after lost episodes this season.

Which new shows would you say are the safest for returning either this season or next season?

I'd definitely say the ones with the best chances are ABC's Private Practice and Pushing Daisies. Samantha Who? also has a good shot, as well as Big Bang Theory on CBS.
i'd say the ones you listed are the only definite ones. Back to You will be back as well if it does well post-Idol, which it probably will.

I hope Chuck comes back too.

why no more Pushing Daisies until the fall?

I do think that the 2008-2009 season should have more episodes than normal. A show that does 22 episode seasons should have 27-28 episodes, 24 episodes maybe 30 episodes. I think they need to balance back after lost episodes this season.

It should . . . held over episodes, then the regular season order, which should put it over the regular 22-24 episodes. I think FOX may do that with Back to You, since it has already gotten its 24 episode order for season 1. I doubt they'll produce all 24 episodes by the end of the season - they'll could produce the rest the beginning of next season, and air them with season 2.

why no more Pushing Daisies until the fall?

I do think that the 2008-2009 season should have more episodes than normal. A show that does 22 episode seasons should have 27-28 episodes, 24 episodes maybe 30 episodes. I think they need to balance back after lost episodes this season.

Well because of this strike, the season will be cut short obviously. Shows that are big hits and what people are used to in a timeslot (say Grey's Anatomy and CSI Thursdays at 9)...would only make sense to come back. It will only be between 4-6 episodes or so for each show, so that is why the major promotion would be easier for these type of shows ... so for the newbies (Pushing Daisies, Chuck, Dirty Sexy Money, etc) , it would make better sense to "relaunch" them in the fall.

Some new shows are an exception because of the lead-in...examples are Back to You and Samantha Who, which will both likely be back with new episodes this spring following Idol and Stars. The only other newbie that could return is Big Bang Theory because not much promotion is needed for CBS's sitcom Monday block. Gossip Girl for The CW has a shot to return this season because it follows Top Model.

There will be no carry overs of episodes for next season. Hollywood has lost money because of the strike so adding on the episodes missed this season would not happen. The only show that might keep its episode order is Lost. 8 have been shot for this season (of the 16 ordered) and ABC might hold back on the other 8 until the fall if they can't have them air in a row in this season or if all 8 can't be produced in time. And obviously next season Lost would still have its 16 episodes in the winter/spring.

The writers' strike did it damage. We will lose about 6-7 episodes for the big hits each and much more for the newer shows and on the fence shows. That is what the writers wanted so they could get their deal. I think you said writers should be punished for what they did and have them extend the season...that will not happen because of the losses in Hollywood.

Why no more Moonlight? I thought it was doing ok to at least warrant 4 more scripts or so.

does any one know if jourany man iscoming back? i heard it was canclled. i would like to see it come back. do you know if bonico women is coming back?

The writers' strike did it damage. We will lose about 6-7 episodes for the big hits each and much more for the newer shows and on the fence shows. That is what the writers wanted so they could get their deal. I think you said writers should be punished for what they did and have them extend the season...that will not happen because of the losses in Hollywood.

I can understand why some shows are money-losers, but why not shows like Grey's or Desperate Housewives or the sort which are top 10 hits and always profitable and maintain a solid audience every week? DH has had it's best season since it's first year IMO and it's a shame that we get a good season for once when there's a big strike. I feel like the fans should get more episodes because DH is very hit and miss with it's seasons and we might not see another season this stellar again. Greys was slumping a bit this season, so the strike probably would do it good since it gave the writers time off and to think of potential new ideas.

does any one know if jourany man iscoming back? i heard it was canclled. i would like to see it come back. do you know if bonico women is coming back?

Journeyman ain't coming back. It was cancelled last December. I would like to see Bionic Woman return, however.

Journeyman ain't coming back. It was cancelled last December. I would like to see Bionic Woman return, however.

Bionic Woman appears to be dead also. It's numbers were awful towards the end. I'll be shocked if it's back.

Article about ABC's plans:

Viewers can expect to see ABC bring back new episodes of its highest-rated, veteran scripted shows this spring, but not its three, already renewed freshman Wednesday night shows that won’t be back until the fall, or its average-rated series for which a decision has yet been made for next season.

While the network had no official comment on its programming plans, sources at the network said once the writers get back to work, they will be called on to pen new scripts for Grey’s Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Brothers & Sisters, Ugly Betty, and freshman comedy Samantha Who.

But new episodes of the network’s three Wednesday night freshman successes, Pushing Daisies, Private Practice and Dirty Sexy Money are not expected to be produced until the new TV season this fall.

Scripted shows said to be on the fence at ABC as far as renewal goes are Men in Trees, Boston Legal, October Road, and Friday freshman drama Women’s Murder Club. Gone for sure are freshman sitcoms Cavemen and Carpoolers. Freshman mid-season dramas Cashmere Mafia and Eli Stone are airing first-run episodes now, so the network will wait until their run before making a decision on those for next season.

Boding well for the return of the fence-sitting scripted shows on ABC and the other broadcast networks, however, is that it is questionable about how many new scripted shows can be developed and ready for the fall, unless the official start of the season is delayed. This may result in front-end 13 episode orders for some series that normally might not have strong enough ratings to return.

While the other networks have been mum as far as their programming plans go, most are expected to follow ABC’s strategy of at least producing for this spring some fresh episodes of their most watched shows-particularly in time for the May sweeps.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003709451

I can understand why some shows are money-losers, but why not shows like Grey's or Desperate Housewives or the sort which are top 10 hits and always profitable and maintain a solid audience every week? DH has had it's best season since it's first year IMO and it's a shame that we get a good season for once when there's a big strike. I feel like the fans should get more episodes because DH is very hit and miss with it's seasons and we might not see another season this stellar again. Greys was slumping a bit this season, so the strike probably would do it good since it gave the writers time off and to think of potential new ideas.

The writers did what they intended to do...having cut seasons short. Even if they extended Grey's or DH this season so it can have their full episode orders, the season would go well into June, which is not a good thing to do, as the networks want to have finales in May sweeps. And if they put more episodes to next season's order, the storylines would get messed up. Financially, big losses everywhere, so it makes no sense to have those loss of episodes added on this season or next. The writers' strike cost millions of dollars of losses. Time to salvage the season with the most episodes they could air by May and financially.

well, I could understand not wanting episodes go into the summer, but they could've filmed a few additional episodes to start next season with. Grey's second season is generally regarded as it's best season and that's precisely what happened that year, the first several episodes were season 1 holdovers. That season ended up with 27 episodes total and is regarded as it's strongest year, they filmed the standard number of episodes for the 2005-2006 season but also had some 2004-2005 holdovers. They could film the five or six remaining DH and GA episodes this season, but start them as the beginning of season 5, and then resume filming in August or whenever already several episodes into the season. It already worked wonders with Grey's before.

Yeah, but the thing is they already had filmed those leftover episodes. And there was no writers' strike then. Plus no editing of the storylines, as would be the case now because of the strike.