Ox Notes: February 4, 2008

It looks as though the strike might be coming to an end. The writers and studios have apparently reached agreement on the most contentious issues, and a final contract could be issued as early as Friday. The WGA will email its members when it officially signs the new contract.

Once the strike ends, ABC plans on shooting new episodes of popular shows like Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives, Ugly Betty, and Brothers & Sisters to be aired in April or May. And NBC plans to get right to work filming the comedy pilot The Man of Your Dreams.

Fox has ordered 13 more episodes of the reprehensible game show The Moment of Truth.

When Discovery launches the Planet Green channel in June, one of its flagship shows will no doubt be Supper Club, an eco-friendly celebrity chat show hosted by Tom Bergeron.

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette interviewed Dancing with the Stars pro Cheryl Burke ahead of the DwtS Tour's show in Massachusetts.

DwtS 6 cast rumors are coming fast and furious these days. Reality Blurred mentions Donald Trump's ex, Marla Maples, as a possible contestant. And Entertainment Weekly reports that ABC is courting deaf actress Marlee Matlin for a spot on the show.

Reality TV World quotes an article in the February 10 edition of TV Guide in which Louis van Amstel says that Paula Abdul told him that she'd like to compete on Dancing with the Stars. While she would obviously be unable to participate in Season 6, she is presumably available for Season 7. I'm hoping that ABC wants to avoid the circus that is Paula Abdul, and would tell her a polite, "Thanks, but no thanks."