DEAL???

Since this infernal strike between the WGA and the Studios/Networks started 3 weeks ago and basically holding America hostage, a prime...may I say THE prime source of information has been Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily blog, often breaking stories that the MSM has not been able to.

It is with that in mind that I post the following from Finke's site this morning....

As the WGA strike begins its 4th week, I've been told positive news about
today's resumption of contract talks between the writers and the producers. So
positive, in fact, that I'm almost fearful to post it. But here goes: a very
reliable source tells me that there appears to be a deal seemingly in place
between both sides.

"It's already done, basically," the insider
describes. That's because of the weeks worth of groundwork by the Hollywood
agents working the writers guild leadership on one side, and the studio and
network moguls on the other. I was told not to expect an agreement this week.
But my source thought it was possible that the strike could be settled before
Christmas.

Look, I don't want to raise false hope here. But this source
has been very accurate in the past. The negotiations starting today will have a
news blackout, so don't expect any significant leaks. But consider the real
possibility there's been a breakthrough. Still, I must caution that this is
Hollywood -- where defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory nearly every
time.

So, fellow eclipsers, let's do a little pre-hatching chicken counting and see where this may be headed.

If....and that is a BIG if....Finke is right and both sides are close to an agreement....and if the WGA rank and file says, ok we have a deal, how fast can we get the second half of Our Favorite Show on. Many sources say that it would be a four to six week turnaround from pencil-pickup to new content on-air. That would mean that would be possible for Heroes: Fall of Man to start airing sometime in Februrary during sweeps, break for 4 weeks in May, then comeback in April to conclude at the end of May sweeps.

It is also possible that if this lags on for another two weeks, a truncted Fall would hit your HiDef in March, leading through the sweeps.

But right now, all that is speculation. As one wag told Entertainment Weekly, Says one studio topper, "Today they'll call each other a--holes before getting down to talking tomorrow."