An Article From LA TIMES About The Strike

The writers' strike will take an immediate toll on television viewers' favorite programs, dealing a setback to shows that are written day-to-day -- such as Jon Stewart's "The Daily Show" -- as well as scripted programming already underway or about to go into production.
Soap operas are expected to be the first to disappear since many can write only one month ahead and most have episodes to last them only until the end of the year. But during the 1988 strike, producers wrote in place of striking writers, and soaps stayed on the air.
Prime-time scripted series have episodes through mid-January or early February, depending on how many reruns they space out in the next few months. Unscripted shows -- such as "Survivor," "The Amazing Race," and, when it returns in January, "American Idol" -- would continue uninterrupted.

Here's a look at where many shows stand:


Syndicated Shows
"Ellen"
Decided not to tape her show Monday in support of the striking writers. Some writers on her show are guild members. Monday's and Tuesday's shows were taped last week, a spokesman said. DeGeneres has yet to decide whether to go ahead with further shows this week.

Late Night
"Colbert Report,""The Daily Show" and"Saturday Night Live"
Will go into repeats immediately.

"The Tonight Show" and"The Conan O'Brien Show"
Will go into repeats immediately.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live"
Staffed with WGA writers, so it would probably go to repeats. But Kimmel could also decide to wing it and do the show himself.

"Nightline"
Will remain live and in originals.


ABC
"Desperate Housewives"
Has nine episodes written, which should last through the first week of December.

"Grey's Anatomy"
13 episodes of 23 episodes written, 11 of which have been shot and six have aired. This means there are five more episodes in the can.

"Boston Legal"
Will have 14 or 15 of 22 episodes completed.

"Lost"
Expected to have eight out of 16 episodes ready.Midseason, none have aired yet

"Dirty Sexy Money"
Expected have between 11 and 13 episodes completed.

"Brothers and Sisters"
Expected to have either 11 or 12 episodes completed.

"Eli Stone"
Will have 13 of 13 ordered. Midseason premiere date is undetermined.

CBS
"CSI: Miami"
Will have 13 out of 24 episodes completed.

"Criminal Minds"
Will have 12 of 22 episodes completed.

"Moonlight"
Expected to have 11 out of 12 episodes completed; has not received an order for a full season.

"Jericho"
Will have seven of seven episodes.

NBC
"My Name is Earl"
Has 13 out of 13 episodes completed.

"Medium"
Will have nine of 22 episodes completed.

"30 Rock"
Has nine out of 22 episodes completed, with several days of shooting for the 10th episode scheduled for this week.

"Friday Night Lights"
Expected to complete 15 of 22 episodes.

"Scrubs"
Expected to complete 12 of 18 episodes.

"Journeyman"
Expected to complete 13 of 13 episodes; has not yet received an order for a full season.

Fox
"24"
Will have eight or nine out of 24 episodes completed. Midseason, none have aired yet.

"K-Ville"
Will have 10 of 13 episodes completed.

Sci-Fi
"Stargate Atlantis"
Expected to go on as scheduled.

"Battlestar Galactica"
Has 10 hours of episodes, plus a two hour movie to air this Fall.

"Eureka"
Will be affected.

FX
"Thirty Days"
Completed, not expected to be affected.

"Nip/Tuck"
5th season, the 22 episodes were planned for two cycles: 14 to run from now to February and eight next year. All 14 in the first cycle have been written. So, only the second cycle could be affected.

"The Shield"
The final season is written, no date set for airing.

"The Riches"
Seven of 13 are written, reportedly good through Dec. 10

"Dirt"
Production is underway, and it could be affected.

"Rescue Me"
fifth season, just announced, would be affected since production is expected to start in early '08.

"Damages"
No word yet on whether it would be picked up

HBO
"Entourage" and"Big Love"
Are currently in the writing stages and were scheduled to air in the summer of 2008.

"True Blood" and"12 Miles of Bad Road"
Have begun production.

"The Wire"
Completed and will air as scheduled.

"In Treatment"
New series will air as scheduled.

Showtime
"Dexter," "Weeds,""Californication" and"Brotherhood"
Have ended or will be ending their season runs.

"The Tudors"
Second season returns in late March, completed production Nov. 1 on 12 episodes.

A new Tracey Ullman series
Five-episode series is shot.