STRIKE NEWS: We’re 98% There

The WGA held a press conference in Los Angeles at noon today to announce that the new contract is “a huge victory” and is expected to be accepted by guild members. The guild has 48 hours to accept the deal, but the WGA leadership is so confident that it will be accepted that showrunners are going back to work tomorrow, Monday. Writers are expected back at work on Wednesday. We’ll let you know what that means for Chuck just as soon as we hear something official.

UPDATE 02.10.08:

Kristin at E! just posted the following “update” from Josh Schwartz about the future of Chuck post-strike:

Executive Producer Josh Schwartz:  “If the strike is over, then on behalf of Chuck and Gossip Girl we are all thrilled to get back to work. Both shows will be back for more episodes—when, I can’t quite say, though Gossip Girl will most likely be on as soon as possible. Chuck may not be back until fall to relaunch with Heroes, or it may be back sooner, but both will be back!”

What We’re Hearing:  Umm…Ditto what Schwartz says. Expect lots more Gossip Girl this season (the CW is crazy for this show and has requested an additional nine episodes to air this season), while Chuck is likely to return in the fall for its second season.

In other words, we still have to wait and see how this season will shake out, but at least things are looking good for a second season!