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CBS' The Closer? ABC's MI-5? Strike Talk Has Nets Scrambling

070830kyrasedgwick.jpg
Kyra Sedgwick in The Closer by Darren Micheals/TNT
As the threat of a Writers Guild strike continues to loom, network suits are considering perhaps using finished and already aired-elsewhere episodes of international hits and/or cable series to fill schedule gaps should the stop-action happen. According to Variety, non-U.S. programming such as the U.K.'s Footballers Wives and MI-5, CBC's Little Mosque on the Prairie and CTV's Corner Gas could make their way to the Big 3 — and Warner Bros. is said to be shopping around The Closer — though execs maintain such acquisitions would be a last resort. "Right now," says NBC entertainment cochair Ben Silverman, "we're just hoping there's not a strike."

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Non-American Broadcasting Cooperative says, "Hey, whatever you do, don't send Black Donnellys our way."


Posted by Matt Webb Mitovich
Aug 30, 2007 9:41 AM
Would really hate to see a strike.

I'm assuming these would be reruns? If that's the case, maybe CBS should consider using shows it already has rights to - and didn't handle well the first time. Like, oh, say, Veronica Mars????!!!!!
Posted by tazzy
Aug 30, 2007 9:51 AM
Little "Mosque' on the Prairie? Are you kidding me?
Posted by cpreynolds
Aug 30, 2007 10:01 AM
Hey! I was one of the dozen people who enjoyed "Black Donnellys".

Really looking forward to some Canadian, Irish, Australian and & New Zealander television shows, though. Bring on the strike.
Posted by Sheldon
Aug 30, 2007 10:27 AM
Wow, having Footballers Wives,and MI 5 shown on one of the major networks makes me hope for a long strike! Both great shows and may inspire the writers to put away the cliches and come up with something orginal. Although it will be interesting to see how the censors handle it!

Little Mosque on the Prairie is one of the funnist tv shows on television and would recommend it to anyone. I'm surprised thats its taking astrike to get it some air time in the USA. The humour is very tongue and cheek.
Posted by anothercrazycanuck
Aug 30, 2007 10:36 AM
Ooh, I vote they show MI-5. I've heard it's great, but I haven't Netflixed it yet. I'd be more likely to watch that than a lot of the stuff they show already, regardless of any impending strike.
Posted by texasannie
Aug 30, 2007 10:47 AM
I hate to root for a strike, but I'd love a chance to see Little Mosque on the Prairie, I've heard great things about it and the little I've been able to see, I've really liked.
Posted by sapphiremoon
Aug 30, 2007 10:52 AM
Airing British shows on network TV in the US? Bring on the strike! ;)
Posted by RachelScribbles
Aug 30, 2007 10:53 AM
Strike - are you kidding me?

How about airing all the episodes of all of the shows that the networks cancelled prematurely? This would probably carry us through 2010!
Posted by Ranger99
Aug 30, 2007 12:03 PM
I'd love to see Mi-5 again I was so disppointed it got taken off and I didn't get to see all of the episodes. anyone know if blockbuster has MI-5?
Posted by Dee Bee
Aug 30, 2007 12:14 PM
I always love a gratuitous swipe at Black Donnellys! (God knows I've taken a few myself.)

I agree with almost everyone else here -- bring on the strike!

I think it would be fascinating to see this actually happen! It's a better alternative than what happened during the 1988 writers strike -- using old scripts for new shows, like the Mission: Impossible revival.

Boy, if I was the networks, I would be taking these comments as a huge wake-up call.

I mean, people are excited by the thought of getting to see something besides what they have planned for us.
Posted by Chappy Quiddick
Aug 30, 2007 12:33 PM
Oh, yes, please strike, strike, strike! MI-5 on any of the 3 networks!Yay!

(MI-5 Seasons 1 - 4 is available at Netflix. Blockbuster probably has these seasons too.)
Posted by Arlene Herring
Aug 30, 2007 12:34 PM
MI-5 is an awesome, complicated and suspenseful show. I started watching it when the series was first available on cable. Bought whatever episodes I could ever since.
Posted by KimTuohy
Aug 30, 2007 12:42 PM
BBC America has been showing MI-5 on Tuesday nights - so rush over to see it!

I stopped watching when I bought my own MI-5 collection. Love the show!
Posted by tazzy
Aug 30, 2007 12:54 PM
Eureka on NBC on Tuesday nights at 8pm would be excellent strike programming. Particularly against anything that The CW would throw against it except for repeating Gg some more.

-- Rob
Posted by ShutUpRob
Aug 30, 2007 1:21 PM
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