The Strike Week Five: And The BLEEP Goes On

Looks like the Writers Guild of America strike will continue for some time. That's the word on the front lines. "Variety" says the WGA has rejected the latest contract offer from the various studios/networks, and some observers now believe a settlement won't come until March at the earliest. Or you can believe reports of more give-and-take between the two sides, with a tentative agreement by Christmas. Your choice. But the thought of reruns during the regular television season is making network executives VERY nervous.
CBS has already announced part of its schedule for January/February: The game show "Power of 10" will replace "Kid Nation" (1/2); new episodes of CBS' news program "48 Hours Mystery" will fill in for the departing "Cane" until the return of the cult favorite "Jericho" (2/12). A new sitcom, "The Captain," will fill in for "The Big Bang Theory" on Monday nights, while the (hurrah!) return of "The New Adventures of Old Christine" will fill in for the hiatus-bound "Rules of Engagement" (both shows to premiere 1/28). The 16th season of "Survivor" begins February 7th, while "Big Brother" makes its U.S. winter debut on February 12th. It will air on Wednesdays (replacing "Power of 10") and Sunday nights (to take over when "The Amazing Race's" current season ends).
At NBC, "Bionic Woman" and "Life" will be gone, to be replaced by the 18th season premiere of "Law & Order," and the return of "L&O: Criminal Intent" to the network schedule (new episodes of the latter had been airing on NBC-owned USA Network since September; the USA-aired shows will now get an NBC run. Confused?) NBC will also air the return of the old competition show "American Gladiators;" a celebrity version of "The Apprentice;" the return of game shows "1 vs. 100" and "The Singing Bee." And in February, the new comedy-drama "Lipstick Jungle" will take over for "ER" on Thursday nights. Expect similar changes from the other networks as (if) the strike continues.
And if the writers stay on the picket lines long enough, the networks may begin airing fresh scripted shows during the summer to fulfill contract orders. After all, cable has cleaned the broadcasters' clocks in recent summers by airing fresh episodes of original programs. But will viewers follow? That's still the question.
Meanwhile, those DVD collections are looking pretty good right now.

Until next time, strike fans, happy viewing!

Mike Spadoni