Now that we are days away from a probable end to the writers strike, ABC has felt comfortable talking about the network’s future.  Although the rest of 2007-08 remains unclear, the 2008-09 year is starting to take shape.

A total of nine shows have so far received renewal notices from the Alphabet network. That’s not to say more won’t come.  But many programs not currently listed may have reason to be nervous.

Of the shows returning this fall, five are ‘veterans’; four are newbies that survived their freshman year.  Those programs (in alphabetical order) are:  Brothers & Sisters, Desperate Housewives, Dirty Sexy Money, Grey’s Anatomy, Lost, Private Practice, Pushing Daisies, Samantha Who? and Ugly Betty.

A sampling of those not mentioned include October Road, Carpoolers, Cavemen, Boston Legal, Men in Trees and Women’s Murder Club.  (Big Shots is apparently dead already.)