If you haven't seen it, it's new to you!

After it appeared for awhile that there may be an end to this writer's strike, it looks like we won't have serious talks again until after the new year. I hope something gets done soon, although I still stick by my prediction it won't be over until at least March. It's not just that we're running low on new episodes, but that everyone else that works in the tv industry is currently out of work. It's not the big shots or the actors I'm concerned about, it's the grip guys and the sound crew and the cameramen (and women, of course). These jobs don't pay the best, and their lives are basically being put on hold until the writers get what they want. Guys like Letterman and Leno have to pay money out of their own pockets just so these guys can live normally. I think the writers and studio execs should agree on a percentage of the cut they'd see off online revenue, sort of similiar to how it works in syndication, from what I understand. Apparently, internet is going to take over TV anyways, so they have to be making some money (more on the internet invasion of the tv industry later in the week in one of my dailies).

Speaking of Leno and Letterman, both CBS and NBC are resorted to not just showing reruns, but reruns from years ago. It's probably their best case scenario, and I like NBC's decision to show some Leno shows from over ten years ago. I just watched one the other night from 96, when he was in Phoenix for the Super Bowl. You think Leno isn't funny now? Try sitting through that episode. I'm not sure what the big appeal of Leno is, and why he gets more ratings than Dave. Dave isn't as good as he used to be, but at least their is some humor in the show. Of course, neither can top Conan, at least not presently.

Back to reality, literally. If you were sick of reality shows before, I'd probably stay away from your tv for the next couple of months. Reality TV will be taking over the airwaves, as networks are desperate to fill programming. I'm not excited to live in a world where there are ten hours of Deal or No Deal a week. From what I've read, none of the new reality shows standout, except for maybe one FOX is trying, where people are hooked up to a lie detector. I'd look up the name, but I'm not at the point of my blogging career where I realize it's important to do research.
As far as what I'm watching, NBC seems to be dominating my TV landscape lately. I just rewatched the first two seasons of The Office (the US version of course), and I enjoyed it even more than I did the first time around. I don't know about anyone else, but I know youre out there. I'm talking about the people that start to emulate the characters on TV shows they watched. I've been doing it all my life, quite honestly. I had my Chandler Bing phase in middle school, my Jack Bauer phase in college, often waking people up by yelling "Where is the Bomb?!?!?", and I need to watch myself before I develop a Jim Halpert phase. I've been comparing the show The Office to what's happening in my own office, and before you know it I'll be giving a look to a fake camera. So I need to lay off The Office, until at least Christmas (when I hopefully get the season three DVD!)

I've been loving 30 Rock this year, Scrubs has been solid, and I'm ready for what is sure to be the finale of Journeyman this week. I don't see it getting renewed, but at least NBC is letting the fans see all the episodes that have been produced. I guess, what else to they have to air though? Clash of the Choirs? (ok, I did look that one up). Still, I gotta say, I think Chuck is my favorite new show of the season. It's been sharp the last couple of weeks, and while it does have a foundation for a formula, each episode feels different and fresh. Really liking Chuck this year.
But, like most shows, it will be awhile before we can watch new episodes. In the meantime, we'll be left with a winter edition of Big Brother, "Celebrity" Apprentice, and an American Idol season which will probably see it's highest ratings ever. It might not be a bad idea to catch up on your favorite shows, or discover some you've missed on DVD's, might not be a bad Christmas present. Load them up, because it's going to be a long winter.

Bart Winkler thinks that his blog audience is bigger than it is, but deep down realizes the only people that read it are Jon and maybe Brent, and they probably didn't even make it this far.