The Current State of TV Comedy: How Many Episodes Remain?
Now that the writers strike is over two weeks in, viewers are beginning to feel the walkout’s marked impact on the daily television schedule. Last Monday, November 12, CBS’ hit new sitcom The Big Bang Theory aired its final produced episode, just when it was really gaining momentum and additional converts. In much more publicized news due to its longevity and greater popularity and acclaim, NBC’s The Office did the same on Thursday, November 15.
So, where do we stand right now with other TV comedies and dramedies? I’ll tell you beforehand that after talk shows, comedy series are being hit hardest. There’s numerous reasons why, including the fact that the topical nature of the genre often means writers create scenes and dialogue closer to the actual writing stage. That reality leads to episodes that are written closer in time to when they shoot, which in turn translates to fewer completed episodes “on the shelf” or “in the can.”
Here’s a summary of the situation as of today, courtesy of TV Guide and the Los Angeles Times. For comparison to a week ago, see the November 14 article “Writers Strike Update: Comedy Shows’ Remaining Episodes.” For the forecast a week before that, refer to the November 8 article “Writers Strike Update: Which Comedy Series Are Shutting Down and When.”
Comedy TV Shows Remaining Episodes
- 30 Rock: FOUR remain
- Aliens in America: NINE remain/Still in production
- Back to You: TWO remain
- The Big Bang Theory: ZERO remain/In repeats
- Carpoolers: SEVEN remain, but the series is on indefinite hiatus
- Cavemen: SEVEN remain, but the series is on indefinite hiatus
- Chuck: FOUR remain
- Desperate Housewives: THREE remain
- Dirty Sexy Money: FOUR remain
- Entourage: Forthcoming season delayed
- Eureka: Forthcoming season delayed
- Everybody Hates Chris: FOURTEEN remain/Full season order complete
- The Game: TWO remain/Still in production
- Girlfriends: TWO remain/Still in production
- Greek: EIGHT remain/Full forthcoming half-season order completed
- How I Met Your Mother: TWO remain
- Men in Trees: THIRTEEN remain
- Monk: Full forthcoming half-season order completed
- My Name Is Earl: THREE remain
- The New Adventures of Old Christine: EIGHT to NINE remain
- Nip/Tuck: TEN remain/Full season order complete
- The Office: ZERO remain/In repeats
- Psych: Full forthcoming half-season order completed
- Pushing Daisies: THREE remain
- Reaper: TWO to FOUR remain/Still in production
- The Riches: SEVEN remain/Six episodes short
- Rules of Engagement: ZERO to ONE remain/In repeats
- Samantha Who?: SIX remain
- Scrubs: SEVEN remain
- ‘Til Death: FOUR remain
- Two and a Half Men: TWO remain
- Ugly Betty: FIVE remain
While fans of such currently airing series as Everybody Hates Chris, Men in Trees, Aliens in America, Greek, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Scrubs have every reason to be thankful, the situation’s not so groovy for those devoted to most of the other Fall 2007 comedies on the list.
Starting today, I will begin posting a single daily summary of all the night’s repeat comedy broadcasts, in addition to the customary announcements of new comedy episodes.
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POSTED IN: Programming, Writers Strike
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