Writers Strike Update: Will Actors Strike, Too?

So what is actually happening right now? Is the strike over or not? And if so, when can we expect the shows that ran out of fresh episodes back on the schedule?

The strike is not over yet, because the WGA leadership is now preparing a draft of the breakthrough agreement which needs to be approved by the Guild members who are expected to vote on it by the end of the week.

Normally, the strike would be called off only once the approved deal was fully ratified, but since everyone is in a hurry to get back to work and save as much of the season as they can, they are expected to call off the strike as soon as it is approved.

In the worst case scenario, the deal will be rejected and the strike will continue until a new proposal is made (something similar happened during the writers' strike in 1960 which lasted almost 5 months).

The producers are also anxious to see the strike end so the Oscars ceremony, scheduled for February 24, could go ahead. The Oscars are normally the second highest rated TV event of the year (after the Super Bowl).

If the strike ends, the sitcoms would need at least 4 weeks to get back on air, while the hour-long dramas would take at least 6 weeks.

Of course, they could take even more time, depending on the complexity of the production and whether any scripts have already been outlined or the writers would have start from scratch.

So which of the shows are coming back this spring? There is no doubt that smash hits like "Desperate Housewives" or "Grey's Anatomy" would return for at least 4-5 episodes.

Serialized shows like "Heroes" and new dramas like "Pushing Daisies" will however most likely get a new season order and return in the fall (in case of "Heroes" possibly with more episodes).

Some insiders however say, the studios might want to begin production on all shows this spring, even if they decide not to air some of them till fall, because the SAG contract expires at the end of June and unless that union reaches an agreement with the AMPTP, the actors would go on strike, too.

The timing of that strike would also be very inconvenient as the fall shows normally begin production the week after Independence Day.

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