It was only a few years ago when the ABC network looked a lot like NBC does now:  washed up and ready to be put out of its misery.  Then, starting with a couple of small shows known as Desperate Housewives and Lost, ABC experienced a creative resurgence that reinvigorated the network and led to them producing some of the most quirky and unique shows on television.  All of that creativity came to an abrupt halt thanks to the writers' strike, but now that the picket lines are empty ABC has finally announced when their hit shows will return with brand new episodes.  Read on for all the details.

Lost will take a break in mid-March and return to its new time slot of Thursdays at 10pm on April 24.  That date also marks the returns of Ugly Betty and Grey's Anatomy, which will be back at their regular times.  Betty and Grey's will each have five new episodes, and Lost will return with either five or six.  It's possible that episode eight of season 4, which was completed before the strike, will be held in order to launch the final arc, but no official decision has been made.

The Christina Applegate comedy Samantha Who? will be back on Monday, April 7 with six original episodes.  The next night will mark the return of Boston Legal, which will also have six installments.  The ladies of Wisteria Lane will return on Sunday, April 13.  Desperate Housewives is set to have seven more episodes, with the final two airing as a special two-hour finale.  Brothers & Sisters will follow Housewives beginning on April 20.  They'll have a total of four more episodes.

Unfortunately, fans of ABC's freshman shows will have to wait until next season before catching a glimpse of them again.  Pushing Daisies, Private Practice, and Dirty Sexy Money will all be held until the fall so ABC can launch a proper campaign promoting their returns.


- Don Williams, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
(Image courtesy of ABC)