After an onslaught of forgettable game shows, strangely themed newsmagazines and just plain-old reruns, scripted programming will rebound from its strike-induced coma next week as CBS' Monday comedy lineup returns to full strength.
Top-rated sitcom Two and a Half Men along with How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory will lead the way as the first shows to return with new episodes since the three-month-long Hollywood writers' strike was resolved early last month. More sitcoms will return in early April, followed by heavyweight dramas like Grey's Anatomy and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.
But with nearly three months since many shows' last hurrah, it's hard to keep all of TV's twisted plot lines straight. Is Meredith in or out of love with McDreamy now? Does House still have those random interns to torment? Who's dead on Wisteria Lane again?
Yeah, we are just as confused. So here's a refresher course on your favorite shows and a sneak peek at what's to come.
Grey's Anatomy
Returns: 9 p.m. April 24 with five new episodes
Where we left off: Meredith and McDreamy ended it for the umpteenth time, but at least now the hunky brain surgeon has an alternative - a sassy nurse named Rose. Meanwhile, Dr. Bailey's baby got smooshed by a bookcase; little Tucker survived, but it doesn't look like Bailey's marriage will. (Last show: Jan. 10)
What's ahead: Because the Grey's spin-off Private Practice won't resurface with new shows until next fall, Addison is expected to return to Seattle Grace for a least one episode.
CBS
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
Returns: April 3 with six new episodes
Where we left off: CSI bad boy Warrick was temporarily suspended after a dead woman was found in his car. And did we mention she was a witness in one of his cases? D'oh. Meanwhile, the rest of the team investigated the murders of two cowboys at a rodeo. (Last show: Jan. 10)
What's ahead: Warrick's downward spiral continues, and (surprise!) more bizarre deaths continue to present themselves to the Vegas crime-scene team.
The CW
Gossip Girl
Returns: 8 p.m. April 21 with five new episodes
Where we left off: Troublemaker Blair and golden girl Serena became entangled in a pregnancy scare. Although neither of the society girls was with child, the ensuing gossip (via the blog, of course) exposed Blair's promiscuous ways and gave her enemies enough ammo to make her a social pariah. (Last show: Jan. 9)
What's ahead: Blair was ready to escape to France to avoid the fallout of her love triangle, but (with a nudge from Serena) she's ready to face down her Upper East Side frenemies.
Fox
House
Returns: 9 p.m. April 28 with four new episodes
Where we left off: House discovers that his best and only friend Wilson was secretly dating somebody. But it's not just anybody - it's season arch-villain Amber, a cunning and manipulative doctor who House had recently canned. In a huge leap of maturity, the cranky doctor decided to accept the fact that hs nowhad to share his friend. (Last show: Feb. 5 )
What's ahead: In the two-part season finale, this three's company scenario will put House and Wilson's friendship to the test. Also, more medical mysteries will get solved.
NBC
The Office
Returns: 9 p.m. April 10 with seven new episodes
Where we left off: Season 4 finally brought Pam and Jim together - only to have Angela and Dwight break up after his mercy killing of Angela's cat, Sprinkles. After hitting Meredith with his car, Michael ran a 5K race to raise money for rabies prevention. And during Jan's deposition against Dunder Mifflin, Michael's diary was exposed as well as the famous Sandals picture of a topless Jan. (Last show: Nov. 15)
What's ahead: In the first show back, Michael tricks Jim and Pam into attending a dinner party hosted by Jan and Michael. To Dwight's horror, Michael also invites Angela and Andy.
tim.swift@baltsun.com
Sun reporters Rob Hiaasen and Sarah Kickler Kelber contributed to this article.
ABC
Desperate Housewives
Returns --9 p.m. April 13 with five new episodes plus a two-hour season finale
Where we left off --Lynette's cancer is in remission. Bree is raising a daughter who's really her granddaughter. Susan's stupid antics have driven Mike to drugs. And gold-digger Gaby is still in love with her ex-husband. If that weren't enough drama, a tornado slammed Wisteria Lane and killed off an older neighbor. (Last show: Jan 16)
What's ahead --One month after the tornado, Gabrielle learns that Carlos' blindness is permanent. Meanwhile, Bree returns to her own house after shacking up with Susan, but she finds that the void in her life is still there.
Samantha Who
Returns --9:30 p.m. April 7 with six new episodes
Where we left off --Head-over-heels for the first time since her case of amnesia turned her into a nice girl, Samantha moved in with her new beau. But the bliss didn't last. She was sent packing less than a day later. (Last show: Dec. 10)
What's ahead --Kicked to the curb by her latest man, Samantha must move back into her old apartment. The problem is that the place is now occupied by her old flame Todd and his new girlfriend.
CBS
Ghost Whisperer
Returns --April 4 with six new episodes
Where we left off --Melinda's husband, Jim, made his first attempts to connect with a spirit after an angry one seemed to be targeting him. Perhaps he wants to be a whisperer, too? (Last show: Jan. 18)
What's ahead --Melinda steps up to help the girlfriend of Ned, who's got a boatload of issues - the ghost of her father won't leave her be.
How I Met Your Mother
Returns --8:30 p.m. next Monday with nine new episodes
Where we left off --Ted wanted to take his doctor on a date, and his buds gave examples from their own lives of why going out with someone you see in other contexts is a bad, bad plan. And Barney acted sleazy. (Last show: Dec. 10)
What's ahead --Ted goes crazy for St. Patrick's Day, and Vanessa Minnillo guest stars. And in a future episode, Alicia Silverstone will play Ted's love interest. Maybe, eventually, we'll find out a few more clues to the identity of this "Mother" mentioned in the title. In the meantime, Barney will continue to act sleazy.
The CW
Supernatural
Returns --9 p.m. April 21 with five new episodes
Where we left off --At the end of last season, Sam Winchester was killed, and to bring his brother back to life, Dean struck a deal with a demon: his soul in exchange for Sam's. Sam was revived, but there's a catch: Dean only has one year to live. (Last show: Feb. 24)
What's ahead --As the year deadline is fast approaching, Sam and Dean continue to try to find a way out of the deal and save Dean's life. Meanwhile, a powerful demon, Lilith, is amassing an army to hunt down and kill the Winchester boys.
Fox
Bones
Returns --8 p.m. April 14 with six new episodes
Where we left off --The team was tracking "Gormogon," a serial killer who collected his victims' bones to form a ghoulish combo skeleton. Gormogon is still at large, but Brennan and Booth managed to seize his prized bone collection. Needless to say, Gormogon is peeved and wants it back. Meanwhile, Hodgins and Angela were thwarted in their effort to get hitched because Angela forgot she already had a husband. (Last show: Dec. 11)
What's ahead --Angela's husband will appear and not go quietly. Also, series creator Hart Hanson says he has plans to send Brennan and Booth to London for a special two-hour episode to air next season.
NBC
My Name is Earl
Returns --8 p.m. April 3 with nine new episodes
Where we left off --Season 3 highlights include Earl getting out of prison, finding a job delivering foreign food, donning short shorts while dancing at Club Chubby, and then undergoing an intervention. Frank's ex, Billie (Alyssa Milano), hit Earl with her car. As she went to get help, another car hit her, and both of them were left lying on the road unconscious. (Last show: Jan. 10)
What's ahead --One word: Coma. Wait, two words: Paris Hilton. In his fevered unconscious state, Earl Hickey meets the socialite of his dreams. Paris Hilton plays Paris Hilton. Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Returns --10 p.m. April 15 with five new episodes
Where we left off --Benson was in an accident with Stabler's wife, which sent her into premature labor with the Stablers' fifth child. Mother and son survived unharmed, but the harrowing experience - and a case involving embryo theft - forced Benson to reveal that her own biological clock was ticking. (Last show: Jan. 22)
What's ahead --When a crooked prison guard is suspected of rape, Benson goes undercover as an inmate in his prison.