TVSquad

The winter of 2008 will be an interesting one for television. With so many current shows at or near the end of their seasonal run, due to the staring contest known as the writers' strike, the schedule is going to look a bit different. Not only will it be filled with more reality shows, but it will also contain some untested scripted programs that have been waiting for the mid-season to air.

Nevertheless, not all is doom and gloom come the new year. There will be many favorites returning to the airwaves, although they may have shortened seasons. For instance, shows like Medium, The New Adventures of Old Christine, Lost, Monk, Psych, and, yes, even According to Jim, will be returning to the schedule. Then there is the anticipated return of Jericho and, of course, another season of show-killer American Idol, which may not have any competition at all this year.

So, to better navigate the world of winter television, we have provided a list of new and returning shows. Programs are listed in alphabetical order by network and report when a current show is returning to to the schedule or when a new show's premiere will air. In addition, we have also listed how many episodes are left in the show's run, or how many will air if it is premiering. Finally, this time around we have listed programs from networks like Lifetime and MTV that we normally wouldn't provide. But, in this time of woe, any port in the storm may suffice.

Take a deep breath and enjoy.

Series returning from break are shown in italics

New shows in bold italic

Shows with new time slots are signified with an asterisk (*)

January 1st

According to Jim* (ABC) -- Seven episodes left

Just For Laughs (ABC) -- Candid Camera for the 21st Century.

The Real Housewives of Orange County (Bravo) -- Lord, how I so hate this show.

My Super Sweet 16 (MTV) -- Two episodes left. I know, you're upset.

The Biggest Loser (NBC) -- The Couples edition

Law & Order: SVU (NBC) -- Four episodes left

January 2nd

Jimmy Kimmel Live (ABC) -- Without writers

Supernanny* (ABC) -- Oh, crap!

Wife Swap* (ABC) -- Double 'Oh, Crap!'

Deal or No Deal (NBC) -- Forty-five episodes left

Law & Order* (NBC) -- Not really a new time slot, since it is the one the show occupied for years. This means that there are no new episodes of Life in the pot right now.

Make Me A Supermodel (Bravo)

Project Runway (Bravo)

Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) -- With writers

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson (CBS) -- With writers

Power of 10 (CBS) -- Drew Carey's other game show.

Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants (CW)

Gossip Girl (CW) -- Two episodes left

The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (NBC) -- Without writers

Late Night with Conan O'Brien (NBC) -- Without writers

January 3rd

The Apprentice* (NBC) -- The Celebrity version. Suckfest or not? You decide.

ER (NBC) -- Three episodes left

January 4th

Women's Murder Club (ABC) -- Last pre-WGA Strike episode. By the way, is anyone watching this show?

How to Look Good Naked (Lifetime) -- Eight episodes to air

Matched in Manhattan (Lifetime) -- A relationship expert matches up straight and gay couples in Manhattan. Seven episodes to air.

Top This Party (Lifetime) -- Party planners throw shindigs for wealthy clients. One more show to throw at our middle-class inadequacies. Fourteen episodes to air

1 VS. 100 (NBC) -- Eight episodes to air

Friday Night Lights (NBC) -- Six episodes left. That's good news!

Las Vegas (NBC) -- Eight episodes left. More good news!

Flash Gordon (SCIFI) -- Six episodes left

Stargate Atlantis (SCIFI) -- Ten episodes left

January 5th

48 Hours Mystery (CBS) -- Yes, Virginia, there is original programming on Saturdays.

Cops (FOX) -- You just can't get enough of half-dressed guys getting tasered.

January 6th

America's Funniest Home Videos (ABC) -- Seventeen episodes left

Desperate Housewives (ABC) -- Last pre-WGA Strike episode

Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (ABC) -- Thirteen episodes left. Lucky us.

Cashmere Mafia (ABC) -- Moves to Wednesdays at 10:00 pm after the premiere.

Cold Case (CBS) -- Two episodes left

Shark (CBS) -- Last pre-WGA Strike episode

Life is Wild (CW) -- Three episodes left

American Dad (FOX) -- Undetermined amount of episodes left

Family Guy (FOX) -- Last pre-WGA Strike episode. Huh, I thought that happened already.

King of the Hill (FOX) -- Undetermined amount of episodes left

The Simpsons (FOX) -- Undetermined amount of episodes left

Russell Simmons Presents: Def Comedy Jam (HBO) -- In its eleventh season

The Wire (HBO) -- Ten episodes to air

American Gladiators (NBC)

The L Word (Showtime) -- Twelve episodes to air

January 7th

Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann (ABC)

October Road (ABC) -- Eight episodes left

The Colbert Report (Comedy Central) -- Without writers

The Daily Show with John Stewart (Comedy Central) -- Without writers

Medium (NBC) -- Nine episodes to air

January 8th

Boston Legal (ABC) -- Four episodes left

Carpoolers* (ABC) -- Seven episodes left

One Tree Hill (CW) -- Twelve episodes to air

Rob & Big (MTV) -- A reality buddy comedy about a street skater and his bodyguard. Fifteen episodes to air

Life of Ryan (MTV) -- Something about a 17-year-old kid and his skateboard. The explanation was really long.

Guinea Pig (SCIFI) -- Ryan and Amber Lynn see what the human body can do before it can't take any more.

January 9th

Criminal Minds (CBS) -- Two episodes left

CSI: New York (CBS) -- Three episodes left

Ghost Hunters (SCIFI) -- Seven episodes left

Ghost Hunters International (SCIFI) -- Six episodes to air

January 10th

Big Shots (ABC) -- Yanked back from the cancellation precipice. Five episodes left

CSI (CBS) -- Two episodes left

Grey's Anatomy (ABC) -- Last pre-WGA Strike episode.

Ugly Betty (ABC) -- Three episodes left

Without a Trace (CBS) -- Two episodes left

Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader (FOX)

Don't Forget the Lyrics! (FOX) -- No offense, but I like Singing Bee better.

30 Rock (NBC) -- Last pre-WGA Strike episode.

My Name is Earl (NBC) -- Last pre-WGA Strike episode.

Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew (VH1) -- Best. Idea. Ever. Eight episodes to air

January 11th

Ghost Whisperer (CBS) -- Undetermined amount of episodes left

Moonlight (CBS) -- Two episodes left. Yay....er, I mean...Oh, shoot!

Numb3rs (CBS) -- Two episodes left

Monk (USA) -- Six episodes left

Psych (USA) -- Six episodes left. Warm up the retro-reference machine.

January 12th

Talkshow With Spike Feresten (FOX) -- Without writers

January 13th

Brothers & Sisters (ABC) -- Three episodes left

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles (FOX) -- Nine episodes to air

Rock of Love with Bret Michaels (VH1)

Scott Baio is 46...and Pregnant (VH1) -- Nine episodes to air

January 14th

Kyle XY (ABC Family) -- Ten episodes to air

Notes From the Underbelly (ABC)

CSI:Miami (CBS) -- Last pre-WGA Strike episode.

Prison Break (FOX) -- Five episodes to air

January 15th

NCIS (CBS) -- Last pre-WGA Strike episode

American Idol (FOX) -- *Groan*

10 Items or Less (TBS)

January 16th

Reno 911 (Comedy Central) -- Sixteen episodes to air. Pretty sweet.

Nip/Tuck (FX) -- Six episodes left

January 20th

Breaking Bad (AMC)

My Fair Brady...Maybe Baby? (VH1) -- How are Chris Knight and Adrianne Curry doing? For that matter, does anyone care how they are doing?

January 21st

Wildfire (ABC Family) -- Thirteen episodes to air

The Naked Brothers Band (Nick) -- Like you don't sneek a peak at it!

January 22nd

Millionaire Matchmaker (Bravo)

January 23rd

The Moment of Truth (FOX) -- This is the lie detector game show.

January 24th

Scrubs (NBC) -- Four episodes left

January 26th

Jane Doe (Hallmark) -- I like Mystery Woman more, for some reason.

January 28th

In Treatment (HBO) -- 45 episodes to air this winter season. Heck, maybe I need to subscribe to HBO.

January 29th

House (FOX) -- Another episode airs on Superbowl Sunday.

January 31st

Eli Stone (ABC)

Lost* (ABC) -- Eight pre-WGA Strike episodes

Smallville (CW)

February 4th

Samantha Who? (ABC) -- Three episodes left

The New Adventures of Old Christine (CBS) -- Undetermined amount of episodes to air

Welcome to the Captain (CBS) -- Not a revival of Captain Kangaroo. Six episodes to air

February 7th

Survivor (CBS) -- This cycle takes place in Camden, New Jersey. Man, that's tough!

Lipstick Jungle (NBC) -- Replaces ER in their time slot.

February 12th

Big Brother (CBS) -- Wednesday airings will begin Feb. 13th. Sunday airings begin Feb. 17th.

Jericho (CBS) -- Now we'll see if your campaign against the network paid off.

February 17th

Knight Rider (NBC) -- Michael, this remake damn well better be good.

February 18th

The Baby Borrowers (NBC) -- Five teenage couples set up house and raise children.

Quarterlife (NBC) -- Airs on Myspace prior to the premiere on NBC. Six episodes to air

February 22nd

Bones* (FOX) -- Man, that sucks! Three episodes left

New Amsterdam (FOX) -- Seven episodes to air

February 27th

Men in Trees* (ABC)

March 2nd

Oprah's Big Give (ABC) -- People have to actually compete for cash and prizes, rather than having it be under their seat.

That's Amore (MTV) -- A spin-off of A Shot At Love With Tila Tequila featuring Domenico Nesci. Seven episodes to air

Unhitched (FOX)

March 3rd

When Women Rule the World (FOX) -- Women rule over men in this reality series. So, what's different than real life? Eleven episodes to air

March 5th

High School Reunion (TV Land) -- Remember this show from the WB?

March 7th

The Return of Jezebel James (FOX) -- Seven episodes to air

'Til Death (FOX) -- Three episodes to air

March 12th

Back to You (FOX) -- Yikes! Two episodes left

March 17th

The Bachelor (ABC)

Dancing With the Stars (ABC) -- Minus Marie Osmond? What are we going to do?

April 1st

Hell's Kitchen* (FOX) -- Ooooh, such anger!

April 11th

Canterbury's Law (FOX)