As the Hollywood writers’ strike drags on into the New Year, it seems to be getting harder to choose a side and stick with it. I’ve been behind the writers all along, asserting that the immediate impact of a settlement is less important than setting the precedent for compensation when, a few years down the road, all television is delivered to your set from the Internet. But as my favorite scripted shows run out of banked episodes, ready to be replaced by reruns, untested new series and a handful of episodes of LOST, my resolve to support the union wanes, and I wish they’d figure out a short-term deal that would leave open the possibility of future negotiations. But as late-night talk shows return tonight, some without writers, I can’t help but support those who are bold enough to stay on the picket line.

For those of you who are using the downswing in original programming to catch up on series you wish you’d watched but never did, I recommend all three seasons of Veronica Mars, which I got for Christmas and am realizing once more how much I loved. I’ll also throw out the standard recommendations for Arrested Development and Freaks and Geeks. The best part about these three series? They’re no longer on the air, and you won’t find yourself itching for the strike to end to get new episodes. Instead, you’ll just start lamenting their untimely demises.

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