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The networks knew this dry spell was a possibility so they banked some of their mid-season shows like Fox’s “Terminator: The Sara Connor Chronicles,” which is friggin’ awesome. They have several episodes completed and will be able to do a full launch in January.

Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for shows like “Lost” and “24.” While the mid-season series have more than half the episodes complete, the networks worry that if the strike continues they won’t be able to finish out the year. If that’s the case, then they’d rather not begin at all.

It also means trouble for new series that were just beginning to pop like “Chuck” (God, I love that show) “Pushing Daisies” and “Moonlight.” The shows finally found an audience, and now they must go into re-runs. And “Heroes.” Sigh. Just when things were getting so good.

What scares me the most are the replacement series, reality shows that don’t need WGA writers to be produced, like we didn’t have enough crap on television as it is. I can handle “Clash of the Choirs” at least there’s great music. But we’re going to be subjected to “American Gladiators” (NBC), Hulk Hogan is one of the host, and “The Celebrity Apprentice.” Ack! Does the world need more of Stephen Baldwin and that horrible Omirosa?

There’s also a plethora of game shows on the way including ABC’s “Duel.” I can’t figure out how this show is going to play out, but it sounds mean. It’s tournament style and if you get one question wrong you’re gone, and the other players are out to make sure you lose.

It makes me sad. Creatively, television had hit a high mark the last two years. My biggest fear is the strike means we may suffer another setback, similar to six years ago when reality television threatened to take over.

So how do you help? Don’t watch the drivel. Read a book. Spend some time with the family. Serve food to the poor. Do anything but watch the crap the networks think they can put on to pacify us. I know it’s a hopeless plea, but I have to try.

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