December is always a despairing month for first run tv, however, in this time of bleak strike news the outlook for new episodes is growing ever more dim.  For an insider-y comprehensive article see Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood blog:

I’m told the CEOs are determined to write off not just the rest of this TV season (including the Back 9 of scripted series), but also pilot season and the 2008/2009 schedule as well.

Consequently, channel surfing is becoming more and more futile. Even so, here are 5 shows in re-runs that I’ll stop for and even be happy to watch again. Please comment and let me know what re-runs you’ll watch or even set your DVR to record.

• 5. ANGEL/ BTVS I’ve been recording the last two seasons of Angel as it airs 5am & 6am CST on TNT. Though I’ve seen every episode of the vampire with a soul and slayer extraordinaire too many times to count, they both are always fun to watch again- especiallly when little else is available. Both Angel and Buffy feature some of the best scenes in television. David Boreanaz is doing voice work for a Justice League movie- whether or not it is THE Justice League movie, I’m not so sure. And Sarah Michelle Gellar is starring in Richard Kelly’s Southland Tales (I’ve read a transcript- it is a crazy beast of a movie).
• 4. BONES I LOVE Bones! Emily Deschanel and David Borneanaz  (again) are so much fun to watch in this character with a healthy dash of plot driven scientist/cop drama. They do the BEST Christmas episodes. Very worthwhile watching whenever it airs, which, until some facet of American Idol shuffles it to another spot, is Tuesdays at 8pm EST. Trivia: You can see bug man Dr. Hodgins (T.J. Thyne) as one of the Wolfram & Hart toadies in the last season of Angel. Such a small world!
• 3. The XFiles *sigh* What glorious memories of fanatical devotion 6.23 seasons of re-runs inspire. I’m such a geek: I have so many favorite episodes, just the other night I watched Bad Blood featuring Mulder being dragged through mud by a runaway RV and Scully saying “And then he sort of flew at me like a flying squirrel?” . It is always good late night viewing to see David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson battle monsters, conspiracy, and their own inner demons. Another good thing about XF in syndication is that you can find it on at least three channels on any given night. As you’ve heard, there is an “untitled Xfiles (film) sequel” that currently has a reported premiere date of 7/25/2008.
• 2. Doctor Who The still engaging still a ginormous amount of fun British series is one of my favorite things to watch again when first run viewing is bleak. I’d rather watch re-run Doctor than a ton of new tv. Series 10 can be found on BBC America Sat. 7pm CST and various times throughout the week. David Tennant is coming back for at least one more series as the Doctor including Doctor Who: Voyage of the Damned which incredibly lucky blokes all over the motherland are able to watch today! Grr!
• 1. Stargate SG-1 My absolute favorite series to watch re-runs of is SCI-FI original (and Showtime once upon the day) Stargate SG-1. To me, it’s the little scifi series that could. Not many genre television shows can boast of a  strong 10 season run at the end of which fans are really sad to see it go. Perhaps not the dramatic and cinematic jugernaut of BSG, SG-1 still delivers EXCELLENT entertainment. And there’s a Christmas day marathon- whoowhoo! Two SG-1 “movies” are in post, one due in March 2008, the other in July. I’m a little sketchy on whether these are first DVD releases or if they’ll air on the SCI-FI channel pre-DVD.  Also of note, Amanda Tapping and producer Damian Kindler have created a web series titled Sanctuary. If you haven’t seen it, it’s a great 8 episode arc that can be purchased for download or for viewing via MS media player or quicktime.

Please comment on your own picks for favorite series re-run material. Maybe even your favorite re-run episodes? Peace!