When prime-time network shows return with new episodes

ShareThis

Now the strike is really over.With the Writers Guild of America members back at work, scripted prime-time network programs are returning in waves.The networks, week after week through this month and most of April, will roll out new episodes of scripted shows.Well, most of them anyway.NBC's "Heroes," ABC's "Pushing Daisies" and Fox's "24" are among the few shows that will sit out the rest of this season. "Heroes" and "Daisies" are expected back in the fall while "24" won't be back until early 2009.CW's "Smallville" and CBS' Monday-night comedy block ("Two and a Half Men," "The Big Bang Theory" and "How I Met Your Mother") jump into the fray Monday.The strike, which started at the end of 2007 and lasted around 100 days, crippled most of the current television season. When the issues around the strike were resolved almost a month ago, the networks quickly rushed shows back into production, hoping to salvage what's left of the season.Actors are happy just to get back to their jobs.Actress Dale Dickey is awaiting word on when she'll reprise her role as Patty the Daytime Hooker on NBC's "My Name Is Earl." She's on board to do at least one more episode this season."It's nice that people can get back to work," says Dickey, who, like almost every actor in Hollywood, had some downtime during the strike."It's weird having nothing working for the last couple of months. It's just nice to be able to go out and audition for things."Here's a look at many of the prime-time network shows and when they will return with new episodes:-- "The Game" (CW) -- March 23.-- "CSI: Miami" (CBS) -- March 24.-- "Cold Case" (CBS) -- March 30.-- "Criminal Minds," "CSI: NY" (CBS) -- April 2.-- "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," "Without A Trace" (CBS), "My Name Is Earl" (NBC) -- April 3.-- "Ghost Whisperer," "Numbers" (CBS) -- April 4.-- "Samantha Who" (ABC) -- April 7.-- "NCIS" (CBS), "Boston Legal" (ABC) -- April 8.-- "30 Rock," "The Office," "ER" and "Scrubs" (NBC) -- April 10.-- "Moonlight" (CBS) -- April 11.-- "Rules of Engagement" (CBS), "Bones" (Fox), "One Tree Hill" (CW) -- April 14.-- "Law & Order: SVU" (NBC) -- April 15.-- "Back To You" (Fox) -- April 16.-- "Brothers & Sisters" (ABC) -- April 20.-- "Reaper" (CW) -- April 22.-- "Law & Order" (NBC) -- April 23.-- "Ugly Betty," "Grey's Anatomy" ("Lost" will move to 10 p.m. and present five additional episodes for the season) (ABC), "Supernatural" (CW) -- April 24-- "House" (CW) -- April 28.(Contact Terry Morrow of The Knoxville News Sentinel in Tennessee at www.knoxnews.com.)