The Racquette

Issue date: 2/8/08 Section: A&E

Nothing takes the edge off of a long day of classes like watching your favorite television shows at night. However, entering three months of the Writers Guild of America's strike, television has little to offer.

If you're a fan of reality television, you're in luck! As many popular shows slowly die off, networks are launching new shows, many of which are reality based. Last week saw the premieres of Eli Stone on ABC and Welcome to the Captain and Survivor: Fans vs. Favorites, both on CBS.

Other programs, like October Road on ABC, premiered late in the game and undoubtedly would have been shelved altogether had the strike ended sooner. However, a few of the new programs offer a niche for picky viewers and have seen short-term success. I particularly like Cashmere Mafia and Eli Stone on ABC and [as of last Tuesday was] looking forward to Wednesday's premiere of Lipstick Jungle.

Networks have seen relative success with their new reality television programs. NBC hooked new viewers in with the "million dollar mission" on Deal or No Deal and gives a full two hours to The Biggest Loser: Couples. FOX's Moment of Truth is intriguing, and Survivor's new slant, pitting hardcore fans against some of the game's best contestants, promises to reel in viewers.

While there's nothing we can do to push along the peace talks between writers and networks (aside from, gasp, boycotting TV altogether), we can take advantage of the break from good television. Most of the major networks offer streaming of past episodes online. So, while you can't watch any more new episodes of Ugly Betty, you can spend Thursday nights watching the first few seasons on Lost online. And while you won't see any new episodes of Chuck, you can tune in online for full episodes of Heroes.

But in the end, if all the recycled episodes are pushing you away from network television, consider other, healthier options for your evenings. Remember reading in high school? Renew your vocabulary and get lost in a good book. Janet Evanovich offers CSI-quality stories in her numbers series. Or, get your endorphins racing with a trip to the gym. By working out regularly, you can privately compete against the couples on The Biggest Loser and make use of the trainer tips every week.

And of course, you could always work on the homework you've been procrastinating from doing. But then again, what's the fun in that?

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