"Star Trek"
Weekdays 6am, TV Land
The original "Trek" series only lasted three seasons (1966-1969), but it launched one of the most durable sci-fi franchises of all time. Although the property has been absent from the airwaves since "Enterprise" was dispatched in 2005, JJ Abrams ("Felicity," "Lost," "Alias") is hard at work on a movie prequel showcasing the early adventures of Kirk & Co. set before the original show. The cast includes relative unknown Chris Pine as Kirk, Sylar from "Heroes" as Spock, Harold from Harold & Kumar as Sulu and reportedly Shaun of the Dead’s Simon Pegg as Scotty. That won’t be out until late next year, but in the meantime look for original Uhura Nichelle Nichols as a possible super-granny on "Heroes."
"Golden Girls"
Weekdays 4pm, Lifetime
If the writers do go on strike, they should spend their free time studying this classic ’80s sitcom about four elderly roommates in Miami Beach. More than 20 years after its debut, the scripts remain as tight, smart and witty as ever. Of course, much—if not most—of the credit goes to the cast, all of whom scored Emmys for their roles over the show’s seven-year run. Wannabe actors should take notes, too; the comic timing is impeccable and the women fully embody the characters. Rue McClanahan plays slutty Blanche with a heart equal to the size of her libido. Estelle Getty transforms an ethnic cliché into a fully formed human being. Betty White’s Rose is a master class in itself. And Bea Arthur just kicks 17 kinds of ass as Dorothy. Plus: caftans! Fabulous caftans!
"Sex and the City"
Weekdays 11pm & 11:30pm, TBS
I gagged when I first heard about HBO’s plan to syndicate heavily edited, PG-13-rated versions of this much-loved, much-missed sitcom. But years later, after routinely getting sucked into the sanitized episodes instead of watching the late-night news, I’ve gotta say, the gambit paid off. I don’t even mind that TBS has screwed up the order so bad that Carrie will be dating Aidan one episode and snuggling with Berger the next, or the fact that, due to heavy editing, Samantha has essentially become a guest star. Getting a little "Sex" on a daily basis is wonderful indeed, and a reminder of how incredibly well written the show was. Nothing currently on the air can fill its sizable Manolos. Now bring on the movie, girls!
