Canadian TV viewers will get the best of both worlds this winter as the writers' strike takes its toll south of the border, Globe and Mail critic Andrew Ryan wrote Saturday.
"The winter forecast includes both frantic U.S.-network strike programming and worthy homegrown programs," Mr. Ryan notes.
"After this weekend, no more Desperate Housewives; and already gone are Heroes, CSI: Miami and pretty much every other prime-time show. In a select few cases, the time slots will be filled with mid-season replacements written before the strike. In most cases, however, viewers can expect a solid wall of repeats.
"Canadian television, on the other hand, appears to be rebooting itself. Much like the wise ant, broadcasters here have planned for the long, cold winter."
Mr. Ryan answered your questions about the new TV season Monday. Your questions and Mr. Ryan's responses appear below.
Mr. Ryan is the former editor of TV GUIDE Canada. He came to The Globe and Mail in the summer of 2000 and currently writes about television for the Globe's Review section. He regularly fills in for John Doyle as the TV columnist for the Globe's Review section.
Editor's Note: globeandmail.com editors will read and allow or reject each question/comment. Comments/questions may be edited for length or clarity. HTML is not allowed. We will not publish questions/comments that include personal attacks on participants in these discussions, that make false or unsubstantiated allegations, that purport to quote people or reports where the purported quote or fact cannot be easily verified, or questions/comments that include vulgar language or libellous statements. Preference will be given to readers who submit questions/comments using their full name and home town, rather than a pseudonym.
Sasha Nagy, globeandmail.com writes: Andrew: Thanks for answering reader questions on television today. I am wondering how you find the television viewing experience now, several weeks into the writers' strike. I must admit, while I do miss the shows I usually take in, there seems to be enough to entertain me. Do you think this experience is typical, and if so, do you think it puts pressure on the writers to accept a less than ideal contract?
Andrew Ryan: Thanks for your question, and your experience seems to parallel that of the average viewer in this strike-ravaged season: Most people are aware of the situation, but so far the strike hasn't impacted on their personal viewing habits. The lack of new programming was more pronounced during the 1988 strike by the Writer's Guild of America; back in those days, there were only four major U.S. broadcasters and it was impossible not to notice that episodes of regular networks series were being repeated ad infinitum. Viewers have far more options in this 500-plus channel universe, so the work stoppage by writers is less noticeable. At the same time, I don't believe the writers will be moved to accept a less than ideal contract. The 1988 writer's strike went nearly five months, remember. This one could run even longer.
Duff Scott from Toronto writes: Will there be a 7th. season for 24 and, if so, when will it start. Thank you.
Andrew Ryan: I'm sorry to report 24 may not return to television for some time. The seventh campaign of 24 was supposed to debut January 13, but has been postponed by the Fox Network, for fairly obvious reasons: In years past, the real-time drama has always aired uninterrupted for 24 episodes, which was impossible this year. According to most reports, 24 had eight shows in the can before the announcement of the writer's strike. Even if the strike was resolved this week, it would require nearly a month for production to get up and running again. Of course, the fact that Kiefer Sutherland was sent to jail on a DUI charge didn't help matters, either. My prediction: 24 will not return until next season.
Bernard Bomers from Vancouver writes: What's your call on Sophie? Do you have anything else to say about the future of Canadian made TV programs.
