By Kofi Outlaw

Seems as though there is no easy end in sight for the Writers Guild of America strike, which launched its opening salvos yesterday as hundreds of TV and cinema writers headed for the picket line. As a result, some TV shows are already feeling the burn, forced to go into re-runs (a.k.a. “dark”) sooner than anticipated.

So far the sets of CBS’ THE NEW ADVENTURES OF OLD CHRISTINE and RULES OF ENGAGEMENT have been shut down. Fox’s ‘TIL DEATH and BACK TO YOU, (which was due to return from hiatus yesterday,) have also gone dark—the latter expected to remain dark for as long as the strike continues. In the greatest tragedy of all time, it production on NBC’s THE OFFICE is quickly coming to a halt -- not surprising, since several cast members (B.J. Novak, Mindy Kaling)  are also writers and producers for the show.

And the pain doesn’t end there. Late night comedy shows like NBC’s THE ABC’s DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES had to shut down production Tuesday, when a group of protesters showed up on set. HOUSEWIVES is expected to shoot its last available script this week. Other casualties of either stalled productions or staff lay offs include Fox drama ‘24’ (layoffs), HBO talk show REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER (stalled), and UGLY BETTY (facing a production stall).

High-profile show creators (“showrunners”) like Shawn Ryan (THE UNIT, THE SHIELD) and Shonda Rhimes (GREY’S ANATOMY, PRIVATE PRACTICE) have been very vocal about their dedication to the WGA’s cause, despite the potential hit to their sizable paychecks.

“I…believed that I would edit our episodes,” Rhimes wrote in an email widely circulated late Monday. “Until a thought hit me: how can I walk a picket line and then continue to essentially work? How am I supposed to look at myself in the mirror or look at my child years from now and know that I did not have the courage of my convictions to stand up and put myself more at risk than anyone else?”

You go Shonda! However, the number of shows still in, or wrapping up, production (CW’s EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, GIRLFRIENDS and THE GAME, CBS’ JERICHO) suggests that not all writers and showrunners will be flocking to the picket lines. There is even speculation that some major primetime fare will slowly lumber on, aided by picket-by-day, write-by-night staffers who will work (in shameful secrecy) from home.

As one studio executive puts it:

“Over the next week or so, we’ll see a real narrowing of things that are able to be shot… Some shows are well-oiled machines and banked several scripts that don’t need a lot of rewrites, and some are closer to being shut down.”

This drastic turn of events has me morally divided. As a writer first and foremost, I support what the WGA is doing. Writers have been getting the shaft in Hollywood for too long while those snarky directors eat up our glory. However, as a veteran couch-jockey, I want my TV now, yesterday, tomorrow, and any other time I plop down to watch it. And, like my potato chips, I want my shows to be FRESH. So who to root for?

Do you give crap about the WGA strike? Or do you just want your TV watching to go uninterrupted? Scared that all you’ll be left to do for entertainment is read? Or have you been looking for an excuse to spend more time with your Xbox? Rant back and let us know which side of the picket line you stand on.