The Observer, March 28, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 22
Beloved TV shows finally make late-season reappearances
The writers' strike caused great controversy and trauma for the writers, producers, and television viewers alike. It brought Hollywood stumbling to a halt. When the WGA finally announced that the contending parties had reached a tentative agreement, everyone celebrated. However, hopeful television viewers were once again disappointed when, over a month later, the negative effects of the strike still lingered on television. The reruns and reality shows persisted, long after a settlement was reached. Finally, the days of bad television are over. The good shows are coming back.
CBS's Numb3rs and NBC's My Name is Earl are two of the first shows to return to the air, on April 3 and April 4, respectively. ABC's smash hit Desperate Housewives re-premiers with six more episodes on April 13, and Grey's Anatomy returns to its usual Thursday night spot on April 24.
Sadly, the Grey's Anatomy spin-off, Private Practice, will not air any new episodes until fall. Other less popular shows are also suffering a similar or worse fate. Men in Trees and Life is Wild have been cancelled permanently. The futures of Nip/Tuck and ABC's October Road remain ambiguous, as it has yet to be determined when new episodes will be produced, if at all.
Still, campus favorites are returning such as the CW's New York saga, Gossip Girl, on April 21st and The Office on April 10. Fox, despite having enjoyed the success of American Idol, one of the few universally appreciated reality shows, is bringing back two of its well-acclaimed dramas: detective thriller Bones is scheduled to air new episodes starting April 14, while the last five planned episodes of House are expected to air starting April 28. Unfortunately, Fox is planning to delay the crowd-pleasing thriller 24, which will not return to television until early 2009 in order to keep the season complete.
Other networks are bringing back their critically acclaimed programs as well. NBC's Scrubs is airing its final four episodes of the series starting April 10th. Rumors indicate that four more episodes that were not originally planned may be produced, but it remains to be seen whether these additional episodes will receive airtime or go directly to DVD. Meanwhile, ABC's Emmy-winner Ugly Betty re-premiers in late April with a few plot adjustments, according to executive producer Sylvia Horta. CBS, while not as popular on the Case campus, is getting ready to air new episodes of leading drama CSI on April 3. CSI: Miami made its post-strike debut last Tuesday.
After many grueling weeks of poor television, the after effects of the WGA strike are finally wearing away. Whether this means that the lessons learned from the strike will also be forgotten remains to be seen. One thing is clear, however: with the return of everyone's favorite programs, television may once again claim a central role in the collegiate social scene.
