Dwindling supplies of scripted series put the major broadcast networks in various states of disrepair

Running on empty: CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Grey's Anatomy are both out of new episodes as the Feb. "sweeps" nears.
By ED BARK
Negotiators for striking writers and major studios are set to meet again this week in hopes of ending a walkout that began on Nov. 5 and since has severely dented prime-time TV schedules.

Hopes are high following last week's tentative settlement between directors and studios. But even with a quick resolution, it will be at least until spring before new episodes are ready to roll on established hits such as ABC's Grey's Anatomy and CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.

The New York Times has a good article and accompanying chart on what's left in the tank at the halfway point of the 2007-08 TV season. As previously noted in these spaces, Fox is by far in the best shape with American Idol, the Feb. 3rd Super Bowl, full-season supplies of its Sunday night cartoons and fewer prime-time hours to program than its rivals.

Here are thumbnail sketches of the haves and have nots in the scripted series realm:

FOX
24 is on indefinite hold, and star Kiefer Sutherland was just released from jail Monday (Jan. 21) after serving a 48-day sentence on a DWI conviction.

In its place, though, Fox has new episodes of the action hit Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. It's scheduled to run on Mondays until a two-hour March 3rd season finale. Prison Break, serving as Terminator's Monday night running mate, has four new episode left.

The Simpsons, Family Guy, King of the Hill and American Dad all have enough new episode to take Fox into the May "sweeps." House has three unseen episodes remaining, including a post-Super Bowl outing on Feb. 3.

Also in the supply shed: Four new episodes of Bones and two more of the Kelsey Grammer/Patricia Heaton sitcom Back to You.

ABC
It's exhausted its supply of new episodes of Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Private Practice and Pushing Daisies. And Ugly Betty will be out of fresh shows after this Thursday's new hour.

Boston Legal still has three first-run episodes available, as does Samantha Who?. Down to two is Brothers & Sisters.

ABC's biggest remaining playing card is Lost, which will begin an eight-episode run on Jan. 31st. The network also has holdover new episodes of drama duds Big Shots, Dirty Sexy Money, Men In Trees and Cashmere Mafia.

On the comedy front, you're welcome to fresh product from According to Jim, Notes From the Underbelly, Carpoolers and Cavemen.

CBS
Two of its three CSI hits -- Crime Scene Investigation and CSI: Miami -- are down for the count. But CSI: NY still has two new hours left.

Also out of ammunition: Without A Trace, Numb3rs, The Unit, NCIS and Ghost Whisperer. Crime-driven "procedurals" Cold Case, Criminal Minds and Shark each have one new episode left.

CBS does have a new seven-episode arc of Jericho due on Feb. 12. And on Feb. 4th, midseason returnee The New Adventures of Old Christine will be matched with the premiere of fellow sitcom Welcome to the Captain. Also, the edited broadcast premiere of sister network Showtime's Dexter is set for Feb. 17th.

Out of new laughs are Two and a Half Men, Rules of Engagement, How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory.

NBC
Heroes, ER and the first-year drama Life have nothing new to offer. Nor do My Name Is Earl, The Office or 30 Rock. And the network seems to have no interest in burning off any remaining new episodes of Scrubs.

The freshman comedy-drama Chuck is down to two unseen episodes, both airing this Thursday, Jan. 24. Bionic Woman and Journeyman both are out of production and presumed dead.

The Peacock has seven new episodes of Medium remaining, a quartet of first-run Friday Night Lights hours and enough yet-to-be-seen Law & Order episode to last through spring. Its running mate, Law & Order: Criminal Intent is new only if you haven't seen the episodes shown earlier this season on NBC Universal cable arm USA. Law & Order: SVU is fresh out of first-run hours.

Las Vegas will have new episodes through February. And the new drama series Lipstick Jungle is set for a Feb. 7th premiere. There's also the coming-of-age drama Quarterlife, whose Internet mini-episodes will be stitched into one-hour increments, starting on Feb. 18th.

And if you haven't yet seen USA's Monk or Psych, they're coming in March to NBC.