With nearly three and a half months of a television wasteland finally over, audiences can stop trying to figure out which reality show to watch and instead focus on when their favorite shows are coming back. Most networks ordered anywhere from four to nine episodes of their most popular shows to return sometime during April and to run into the summer.
But even in the midst of celebrating the return of scripted television, some shows are in danger of not returning all together because of the writers’ strike. New episodes of critical darling ‘Friday Night Lights’ are still in question, with fans sending NBC envelopes full of broken glass (get it: lights) to try to save the show. Other shows that had not so good ratings like ‘Cane’ and ‘Cavemen’ are also questionable in their return, though it’s probably safe to say the remaining episodes won’t see the light of day.
Here’s where some popular shows left off before the strike and where we hope the remaining episodes of their seasons will go.
‘The Office’
Where we last left off: Jan sued Dunder Mifflin after she got fired (and made a rather embarrassing exit) and Michael took the side of the company, showing one of his rare good personality qualities – unwavering loyalty. Jim and Pam are still as cute and sickeningly in love as they were in the series premiere, except now it’s gone from insane sexual tension to kissing in the office.
What we hope will happen: Jim and Pam maybe have a fight? Just to mix things up, though it’s hard to believe their cuteness will ever get old. But what really drives ‘The Office’ is the relationships between all the characters, particularly Jim and Dwight, Pam and Angela and Michael and…everyone. Speaking of Angela, the actress who plays her (Angela Kinsey) is pregnant, so is there a possible Dwight love child?
Return date: April 10
‘Grey’s Anatomy’
Where we last left off: Derek and Meredith were as annoying as ever by breaking up for the 60th time after Derek decided to randomly make out with one of his scrub nurses. And since ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ hates functioning relationships, Dr. Bailey and her husband broke it off after an accident involving her son. In happier news, Meredith and her half-sister Lexie are on pretty decent terms. George and Izzie are dating, or something along those lines.
What we hope will happen: That ‘Grey’s’ will get a complete makeover that harkens back to the glory days of the first season, when all the doctors were happier and their drama wasn’t so depressing. For that to happen, Derek and Meredith either need to be together or broken up for more than one episode. And remember that episode when the writers even admitted themselves George and Izzie had no chemistry? They should go with that and put Izzie and Alex back together. Now there was some chemistry.
Return date: April 24
‘Gossip Girl’
Where we last left off: Blair had just fallen off of her throne as Queen of the Upper East Side – Gossip Girl uncovered she had slept with both her boyfriend Nate and Nate’s best friend Chuck in the same week. Talk about scandal. But back in Brooklyn, Dan and Serena are happily in love, and they successfully stopped Blair from running away to France. On the adult storyline front, Dan’s dad Rufus and Serena’s mom Lily decided to call off their secret tryst in favor of their children’s budding romance.
What we hope will happen: Nate will finally stop being boring and get back at Blair somehow, and Blair and Chuck will keep things interesting and start hooking up again. And hopefully Dan and Serena’s puppy-dog romance won’t make us too nauseated.
Return date: April 21
‘House’
Where we last left off: House’s one friendship, with Wilson, was on the rocks ever since he found out Wilson had been dating one of House’s enemies from when House was searching for new replacements for his team. In fact, House hated her so much he went to his superior Cuddy and asked her to sleep with Wilson just to end the relationship. At least House is still as conniving and manipulative as always. And Kumar from ‘Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle’ is still working for House, so that’s always a good time.
What we hope will happen: House will continue on the path of realization that he can’t take his friendships (or rather, friendship) for granted and maybe start appreciating people, though then of course he would lose all of his charm. And as interesting as House’s new team is, the dynamic between Cameron, Chase and Foreman is missed.
Return date: April 28
‘Ugly Betty’
Where we last left off: Betty’s first big break at a magazine story for ‘Mode’ was thwarted by a case of mistaken identity, and Daniel found out he was dating the evil Wilhelmina’s sister. Oops. KISS front man Gene Simmons made a guest appearance as Amanda’s potential dad, who won’t return her calls or Father’s Day cards. And Henry is performing in a band, which is adorable.
What we hope will happen: Betty will finally get her big break writing for ‘Mode,’ which is essentially why she started working there in the first place. There are also rumors that there’s going to be a musical episode, which with this cast can only mean good things. And Gene Simmons as a recurring guest star? Awesome.
Return date: April 24
eaconnor@syr.edu
Published on February 24, 2008 at 12:00 pm
