NEW YORK — As the writers strike heads into its sixth week, your favorite scripted dramas and comedies are continuing to dwindle.
The networks plan lots of new programs for January and beyond, including loads of reality fare. And there will be fresh scripted series that were wrapped before the strike began.
Sure, there’ll be stuff to watch. But that’s cold comfort for fans feeling the premature absence of new episodes of the shows they love best.
END IN SIGHT:
The last new “Pushing Daisies” airs on ABC Wednesday.
There’s just one more new episode of ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” (yet to be scheduled).
ABC’s “Desperate Housewives” has one new episode, likely airing in January.
A FEW TO GO:
The “Crime Scene Investigation” trio, “NCIS,” “Criminal Minds,” “Without a Trace” and “Cold Case” are down to a couple of new episodes apiece on CBS.
NBC’s comedy “30 Rock” has a fresh episode Thursday, with one more after that, as yet without an airdate.
Just three new episodes of ABC’s “Ugly Betty” are left.
ABC’s comedy “Samantha Who?” has four more episodes.
Fox’s “Family Guy” has scheduled a normal mix of new and repeat episodes at least through January. Even better, “The Simpsons” has a full season’s worth of episodes in store.
STUCK IN REPEATS:
NBC dramas “Heroes” and “Life” are kaput.
NBC’s “The Office” is closed for business, as is ABC’s “Private Practice.”
“Big Bang Theory” has run dry, along with fellow CBS sitcoms “How I Met Your Mother,” “Two And a Half Men” and “Rules of Engagement.”
WHO KNOWS WHEN?:
The planned January return of Fox’s “24” has been postponed indefinitely. Since only some of the series’ 24 episodes have been shot, Fox didn’t want to risk beginning a new season that might be interrupted.
MIDSEASON RELIEF:
Fox’s “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles” will have a two-night premiere Jan. 13-14. This new drama, a reinvention of the “Terminator” film franchise, arrives with 13 episodes completed.
Fox has three new episodes of “House” slotted for early 2008, one of them following the Super Bowl broadcast.
NBC’s “Medium” will return Jan. 7 with nine episodes in the can.
The sitcom “The New Adventures of Old Christine” will be back on CBS Jan. 28 with at least eight episodes, and the apocalyptic drama “Jericho” returns in February with seven episodes.
“Cashmere Mafia,” ABC’s new comedy-drama starring Lucy Liu, will arrive with seven episodes completed.
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