The FanGirl

Now that the Writer’s Strike is over the big question has been when new episodes of the shows affected will be starting. Now that all the major networks have announced their plans for the rest of the season, I am able to provide this summary. I’ve picked my favorites for the list at the top and their in order by the date of the first new episode. The full information for each network is at the bottom.

• The Big Bang Theory - 8 new episodes starting March 24
• Numb3rs - 6 new episodes starting April 4
• The Office - New episodes starting April 10
• Desperate Housewives - 5 new episodes starting April 13 and a 2 hour finale
• One Tree Hill - 6 more new episodes starting April 14
• Smallville - 5 new episodes starting April 17
• Gossip Girl - 5 new episodes starting April 21
• Ugly Betty - 5 new episodes starting April 24
• Lost - Moves to 10pm starting April 24
• Heroes - Season 3 will return Fall of 2008
• Chuck - Season 2 next year

The CW - The Game will be back with nine new episodes beginning March 23. After that, the CW’s dramas return in April: One Tree Hill on April 14 (six new episodes), Smallville on April 17 (five new episodes), Gossip Girl on April 21 (five new episodes), Reaper on April 22 (five new episodes), and Supernatural on April 24 (four new episodes).

NBC - Heroes will not be returning until next season. New shows Chuck and Life have been renewed, but won’t be back this season either. My Name is Earl will return with a one-hour episode on April 3. The Office, 30 Rock, and Scrubs will all return with new episodes a week later on April 10. ER returns April 10, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit will be back on April 15, and Law & Order resumes April 23. Additionally, Medium will continue its run of original episodes.

CBS - CBS is asking for nine new episodes each of How I Met Your Mother, The Big Bang Theory, and Two and a Half Men. CSI: Miami returns on March 24 (8 new episodes), Cold Case is scheduled to return with five new episodes starting on March 30, and Criminal Minds and CSI: NY should return with seven new episodes apiece beginning April 2. CSI returns April 3 with its partner Without a Trace, and both are expected to come back with six new episodes. Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs return with the first of six new episodes on April 4. NCIS is returning April 8 with the first of seven new episodes. Moonlight will arise on April 11 with four new episodes. Rules of Engagement and Shark will be back for six and four episodes, respectively, with Rules on April 14 and Shark at a to-be-announced date. The Unit and Cane will remain on hiatus to allow for the midseason launches of Jericho, Dexter, and Big Brother.

ABC - April 7 sees the first of six new episodes of Samantha Who?, Boston Legal returns on April 8 with six new episodes, and Desperate Housewives comes back on April 13 for the first of five new hour-long episodes, and will conclude with a special two-hour finale. Brothers & Sisters will resume on April 20 with the first of four new episodes. Ugly Betty and Grey’s Anatomy return on April 24 with five new episodes each. Ugly Betty will be at 8pm with Grey’s Anatomy at 9pm and Lost at 10pm. Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, and Dirty Sexy Money will return next season.