TV Writers Strike

It seems like everywhere you look, folks are talking about the Hollywood writers strike, and with good reason - America loves it's TV and movies. Fans and reporters are spending most of their time discussing the most immediate impacts --daily programs such as Ellen and the Colbert Report - in hopes that a week or two will give the studios and writers time to sort out their differences, and that Jay Leno and Stephen Colbert will be the only memorable impacts of this strike.

If all goes well, and the strike does what the writers intended, many of our show - while their makers will be affected - won't skip a beat when at comes time to watch their weekly episodes. Most news outlets don't seem too concerned about your favorite weekly sitcom. Let's take a look at the top ten rated television shows, according to the Nielson ratings, and see how America's ten favorite television programs will be directly affected if this strike continues.

1 - Dancing With The Stars

Being a reality show, "Dancing" has been dubbed "strike-proof" by the major media outlets. The show does not operate under a guild contract, and the show's host, Samantha Harris, has shown both willingness and ability to write her own material. "Dancing" surely isn't high art, and some might say that the material writes itself through the performances of contestants and votes from the viewers, but one must admit that the show's personnel has something going for them, if they are able to continue the program without skipping a beat. Some conjecture that the average viewer is apt to flock to reality television, such as "Dancing With The Stars," during periods like these. I would hold that a discriminating viewer might opt for reruns or a quick upgrade to their Netflix account, but what to I know? Regardless, America's number one (and number three) television program appears to be safe for now.

2 - Grey's Anatomy

Grey's Anatomy remains #2 on America's top ten list for new television, despite such setbacks as an annoying theme song, and the unexplainable presence of "Frying Pan Face," Sandra Oh. Grey's Anatomy's Cast, led by the outspoken Patrick Dempsey, have come down in strong support of the striking writers. According to star, TR Knight (Dr. George O'Malley), shooting for episodes that are already written is likely already completed, leaving fans to look forward to only two more new episode, which are already "in the can," before searching for different ways to annoy themselves.

3 - Dancing With The Stars

The Nielson system chooses not to disclose how the same show can hold both the number one spot and the number three spot on their lineup, and I choose not to explain why I can get away with including less than ten programs on my list, as well - maybe it's reruns, but I just report on the information given to me. Whose fault is it if these things come around more than once? What the hell? Is it reruns or something? Are reruns of a crappy reality show more popular then THE FREAKING NEWS? I choose not to ask these questions and so should you.

4 - 60 Minutes

If 60 Minutes is your thing, I have good news for you - you're 43 minutes of pop-news and your 17 minutes of Tidy Cat commercials are both safe. The commercials are unaffected by the strike, and the news keeps on happening, whether there's anyone to write it or not. Believe it or not, until Katie Couric came around, news anchors were actually well-educated and experienced journalists, capable of reporting on global happenings without a staff of writers and a teleprompter. A few "write-producers" may be asked to stop writing, but no one's restricting them from "heavy polishing." Whether they lose a writer or not, your modern news room has plenty of folks capable of putting a sentence together - the news is safe.

5 - CSI

CSI is thought to have four or five episodes in the can, after which production will have to halt. Late night promotional appearances by CSI stars, such as Jorja Fox's recent scheduled appearance on the Late Late Show are in serious jeopardy. Like many shows on the list, CSI may well go into long stretches of reruns this year. Unlike many other programs, both the quality and quantity of CSI's reruns could maintain the show's popularity through a strike three years long.

6 - Desperate Housewives

A producer of Desperate Housewives has stated that the show will run out of new material before Christmas of 2007. This does not substantially differentiate the program from many others suffering from issues this season. I suggest that fans of this program simply begin sleeping with their pool-boys or cause some local neighborhood drama to entertain themselves through the lean times - perhaps overtake your local PTA using military force. Whatever you choose to do, you'll be doing it in the company of reruns of this program.

7 - NCIS

NCIS is not unlike many other programs on this list - they have a few episodes in the can, and will air them sparingly until this strike is over. What does separate these shows from the rest is the Impressive rise they've seen in the ratings over the past few months. NCIS was headed somewhere (largely doe to Abby, I think), but where is yet to be seen. Any loss of momentum may mean a stall or even loss or stature among Gunnery Sergeant Gibbs and his crew, potentially knocking them out of the top ten for good.

8 - House

House seems a little more prepared than it's competition, having enough material already written to carry it through mid-January or so, but after that, the prognosis is inconclusive. House has been doing very well in recent seasons, despite a small ratings stumble last year, and all indications are that this show is really headed somewhere (as though being number 8, nationally were a place to build from). Undoubtedly, studios will be feeling the pinch of writer's block by January, but if the strike continues, who knows what may happen?

9 - Sunday Night Football

Football will continue unaffected through January and beyond, providing some solace to sports fans missing their daily infusion of new programming. Football games aren't scripted, and develop[ under the noses of commentators. Sunday Night Football isn't going anywhere... until it's over, then it's going away until next season. There may be other sports, but can we all pray for a resolution before the end of football season?

10 - CSI

Yeah - I have no idea where this came from? Look at my minor rant about Dancing with the Stars to figure out how I feel about one show holding to slots, them move on immediately to number... 10?

10 --Samantha Who?

Ranked at number ten, apparently Samantha Who? is somehow tied with CSI, which is clearly #5 in the rankings. Isn't TV great? Everyone loves Christina Applegate, whether acting as a Pussycat Doll or not - Samantha Who? represents the most vulnerable sort of show on the list - the only newcomer this season to make the top ten, and the kind of show that needs to worry about capturing an audience, any audience, for the very first time. New shows such as Samantha Who? have no fan-base to depend on, and are at great risk from the writer's strike. Unless you already watch, I suggest you let this one go until they are either renewed or canceled, and avoid the disappointment of another canceled fave.

Whatever you watch, it's likely to be somewhat affected by the strike. Hang on for the end of the strike, and your show is very likely to continue. These Hollywood folks seem pretty stubborn, though, on both sides, so it's likely not a bad idea to up your Netflix allowance for a while, and check out some programs you haven't seen yet.