Coming to an end

As many of my favorite shows have been creeping to the end of their script run I have had a hard time getting the words out myself. I can't believe the unions are not even in discussions right now. Many of the networks are putting their actors on "suspension" so they can cut their pay during the down time, but not lose them all together. However, that, in most cases, only lasts 6 weeks. Hopefully, the pinch will hit the networks by the holidays and post-Christmas they will be willing to go back to the table. There are a lot of out-of-work tv and film workers who could use a Christmas gift like that.

I did read an upside to the strike. Many start-ups that were given full seasons before the strike will end up having to come back in the fall due to the number of episodes that have been contracted and the possibility that no new shows will be premiering since they aren't being written right now. Speculation is that January '09 will be where we see many premieres next year since the time line is out of flux. So, mediocre ratings shows (don't confuse that with the shows themselves being mediocre) may get a chance to redeem themselves that they wouldn't have had without the strike. Two shows that are being given as examples of this are: Dirty Sexy Money and Carpoolers, both on my list of best new shows this season.

History has been made this week with the signing of the first internet show to a major network. Quarterlife, created by the same guys (Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick) who brought us thirtysomething and My So-Called Life, was picked up by NBC this week. They were able to write through the strike since they were writing for the internet, but no new shows can be added now until the strike is ended. This could also cause a backlash within the writing community since other writers could cheat by writing for internet in hopes of being signed as well.

I have not yet gone to the internet to find my couch companion, but may be forced to soon. For those of you who are regular internet viewers, what should I be watching? For those of you who aren't, what will it take for you to search out a new series on youtube? For all, at what point in this strike will you be forced to turn off the tv and what will you do with your time when you do?