Barring any unforeseen developments when union members meet today, the television writers' strike will be over tomorrow.

Less certain is the question TV fans are asking: When do I get my favorite shows back with new episodes? And will all the shows be back?

The answer will vary from show to show, and even now the networks are just figuring out what they'll do with their prime-time series.

In interviews following the three-month Hollywood writers' strike, industry insiders were able to say many hit series (such as ABC's "Desperate Housewives" and "Grey's Anatomy," as well as CBS's "CSI" trio) will be back this spring for what's left of the current season, with anywhere from four to seven new episodes. But don't bet on weaker, "on-the-bubble" shows (NBC's "Bionic Woman" and CBS's "Moonlight," for example) returning until fall, if then.

They also said viewers will need to muster a little more patience. A minimum of four weeks will be needed for producers to get the first post-strike episode of comedies (such as CBS's "Two and a Half Men" and NBC's "My Name Is Earl") started from scratch and back on the air; a drama may require six to eight weeks from concept to broadcast.

But there's no simple rule of thumb, added these TV execs, most of whom agreed to speak only on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to talk to the media. Every show is its own special case.

So consider the following list -- based on published reports and Post-Gazette reporting -- to be a highly speculative best guess. We'll know with greater certainty what to expect in the weeks to come.

That's true for shows on broadcast networks and on cable. For instance, FX has wrapped filming of "The Shield," but it's uncertain if its final season will air this summer or in early fall. Premiere dates for new seasons of "Damages," "Rescue Me" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" also are up in the air; they may air this year, but at least one of them will likely hold until early next year.

HBO has no update on when any of its series ("Big Love," "Flight of the Conchords," "Tell Me You Love Me," etc.) might return.

What we can say is that for most series that will return this season, they'll likely begin airing new episodes in April, although a few could be back as soon as March. (Fox rushed out a release to say its Sunday night animated shows, with episodes completed before the strike, will be all-new Sunday.)

Here's what may happened with assorted popular series, but keep in mind, it's just a guess and this list is not meant to be comprehensive:

LIKELY BACK FOR MORE THIS SEASON

"Desperate Housewives" (ABC)
"Back to You" (Fox)
"Big Bang Theory" (CBS)
"Bones" (Fox)
"Boston Legal" (ABC)
"Brothers & Sisters" (ABC)
"Cold Case" (CBS)
"Criminal Minds" (CBS)
"CSI" and its spinoffs (CBS)
"ER" (NBC)
"The Game'' (The CW)
"Gossip Girl" (The CW)
"Grey's Anatomy" (ABC)
"House" (Fox)
"How I Met Your Mother" (CBS)
"Lost" (ABC)
"My Name Is Earl" (NBC)
"NCIS" (CBS)
"NUMB3RS" (CBS)
"The Office" (NBC)
"One Tree Hill" (The CW)
"Reaper'' (The CW)
"Samantha Who?" (ABC)
"Scrubs" (NBC)
"Smallville" (The CW)
"Supernatural'' (The CW)
"30 Rock" (NBC)
"Two and a Half Men" (CBS)
"Ugly Betty" (ABC)
"Without a Trace" (CBS)

LIKELY BACK THIS SUMMER

"Army Wives" (Lifetime)
"The Bill Engvall Show" (TBS)
"Burn Notice" (USA)
"Californication" (Showtime)
"The Closer" (TNT)
"Mad Men" (AMC)
"My Boys" (TBS)
"Psych" (USA)
"Saving Grace" (TNT)
"30 Days" (FX)
"Weeds" (Showtime)

LIKELY BACK IN THE FALL

"Chuck" (NBC)
"Dexter" (Showtime)
"Dirty Sexy Money" (ABC)
"Heroes" (NBC)
"Life" (NBC)
"Pushing Daisies" (ABC)

BACK NEXT JANUARY

"24" (Fox)

UP IN THE AIR

"Friday Night Lights" (NBC)
"Ghost Whisperer" (CBS)
"Las Vegas" (NBC)
"Law & Order" series (NBC)
"Monk" (USA)
"Moonlight" (CBS)
"Prison Break" (Fox)
"Private Practice" (ABC)
"Shark" (CBS)
"The Starter Wife" (USA)
"The Unit" (CBS)
"Women's Murder Club" (ABC)

PROBABLY WON'T BE BACK -- EVER

"Big Shots" (ABC)
"Bionic Woman" (NBC)
"Cane" (CBS)
"Cavemen" (ABC)
"Carpoolers" (ABC)
"Journeyman" (NBC)
"K-Ville" (Fox)
"Life Is Wild" (The CW)