The Writer's Guild strike caused shows to cancel production, go into reruns and send many TV viewers into a long state of confusion. In all of this time, we were also subjected to countless reality TV shows...some new and some just additional versions of their original program. Now that an agreement has been made between the studios and the Writer's Guild of America that ended a long and difficult strike, we can get back to enjoying TV.....or can we?
I have taken this time to decide whether some of the TV shows affected by the WGA strike (by being canceled, postponed, etc.) are really worth cheering for as they gain the ability to go back into production:
House
This show, which airs on FOX is really good. It has lots of elements that make for an entertaining hour of television. House features a cast of great actors who help to bring some of the strangest stories to life. This TV program showcases some of the weirdest medical conditions that one can imagine. While they can make you question "What is that?" on almost every episode, House has been a fascinating program that temporarily stopped airing new episodes earlier this month because of the WGA strike. This is a TV show that we should definitely welcome back.
CSI: New York
Much like House, This CBS show ran out of new episodes during the first week of February. The last new episode of CSI: New York aired on February 6, 2008. While this isn't much of a downer because the reruns are just as entertaining, one can only go so long watching the same episode of CSI: New York. Sure, this particular installment in the CSI franchise is dark and at times make me wonder where they come up with these far-fetched storylines. However, CSI: New York is a TV show that I am glad has a chance to come back to TV now that the writer's strike is over.
Grey's Anatomy
Who can live without Grey's ? It seems that anyone who watches TV on a regular basis....young or old likes Grey's Anatomy on ABC. It is not too difficult to guess why. This show has enough drama to make even the most stessed or depressed person believe that they have everything straightened out in real life. People are having extramarital affairs, sleeping with their bosses, dumping their parent's ashes in a sink and almost everything in between. Grey's Anatomy is like a prime-time soap opera that we know we shouldn't be watching (as it adds nothing of good use to our real lives) but we just can't help ourselves. I look forward to the new episodes of Grey's Anatomy.
30 Rock
If I acted like I knew lots about this NBC show, that would be a lie. All that I know is that it stars funnyman Tracy Morgan, the lady who used to be on Fox's Ally McBeal and Tiny Fey...the woman who did news with Jimmy Fallon on Saturday Night Live. 30 Rock appears to be popular. If it isn't, you could have fooled me because it has received a lot of buzz. Since I haven't watched this show much before the WGA strike, I probably won't be watching it now. Therefore, it's not worth recommending. The best news to take from this if you like 30 Rock is that new episodes of the show can now be produced and aired.
Friday Night Lights
New episodes of Friday Night Lights lasted pretty long, despite the writer's guild strike. It's last new episode aired nearly a few days before the WGA strike ended, making it an easy transition for fans and those involved with the production of Friday Night Lights. If it were say....24, cast and staff members would probably be wondering about their paychecks. However, that may not be the case with Friday Night Lights. When I first saw the commercial before it's premiere in 2006, I thought that this show was another one of those good ideas with an even more exciting attempt at action packed TV that would eventually flop. However, Friday Night Lights has been entertaining. Although it is a drama, Friday Night Lights has some comedic moments and there are at least a few characters that you can relate to. This show was reportedly cut off temporarily, so hopefully it will be back on TV soon.
CSI Miami
This is one of the most entertaining shows on TV right now, or shall I say....one of the most entertaining shows was WAS on TV. The last new episode of CSI Miami aired in January and while reruns are enjoyable, they left us with a cliffhanger that should be resolved at least by the fall. Horatio has just started to build a relationship with his long lost son, but the detective's baby's mama is suspect, so that might cause lots of problems. Did you see that witness in the pond? If that isn't foul play, I don't know what is. I am glad that the WGA strike will not interrupt CSI Miami too much.
Ugly Betty
It is a shame that the WGA strike has affected the new ABC show, Ugly Betty. New episodes stopped airing in January, but the show as been very popular among fans and award organizations alike. Ugly Betty is funny and combines a great cast, including the lovely America Ferrera. I'll be happy to be able to check out new episodes of Ugly Betty thanks to an agreement that ends the writer's strike.
CSI
This show stopped in early January, not too long after the new year came in. I will be glad to see new episodes of this show not only because it is entertaining, but also because I am tired of watching the same rerun where Warrick Brown gets drunk and then flirts with a stripper who ends up dead in his car. That was not an attractive episode, as it didn't show him in the best light. The most important thing here is that CSI will be back with fresh episodes. We can continue to see the gang of crime scene investigators at their best.......who are you? who, who, who, who!
Law & Order: SVU
Of all of the TV shows that the writer's strike had affected, it would have been very depressing if Law & Order:SVU was cancelled for a long time. Since the strike has ended, there shouldn't be any intteruptions to this TV show. The new season just started not too long ago and Detective Benson is sporting a hot new hairstyle.....we need Law & Order: SVU in our lives. The last episode was about stolen embryos, but hit close to home when the discussion of women putting their careers before children surfaced within the hour. It seems that the pressure for women (OR, women who want more than being just barefoot and pregant in the kitchen) to have everything in a certain amount of time never ends. If you're a woman and want a meaningful and satysfying career, but would also like to have a family, it seems that there is a timeframe on that if you want to do it the usual way. After that time passes, it seems that you will have to pay thousands of dollars for it....or at least a portion of your dream family.
Now that I have digressed a bit too much during the Law & Order: SVU update, it's time to wrap this thing up. Stay tuned for the next post that continues with additional shows affected by the writer's strike and whether or not they are worth our TV time.
Which TV show will you be glad to see return after the Writer's Strike? Which TV show were you glad to see canceled during the Writer's strike? Leave your comments below. If you haven't already, Subscribe to Madlab Post.
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Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 11:53PM 
