Strike: A Glimmer Of Hope?

The studios and the WGA released a joint statement Tuesday night saying they were about to resume negotiations.

Word is the WGA is pulling the issues of animation writers and reality show writers off the table, something they were willing to do weeks ago had the producers not walked away. But with a framework of a contract between the AMTMP and the Directors Guild of America in place, it gives the two sides a jumping off point.

If they can resolve something by the beginning of February, it should mean that most series can salvage part of the remainder of the season. None of the shows on the air will be able to fill their original orders, but we might see five or six extra episodes for each series.

Meanwhile, the studios continue to cut episode orders and drop potential pilots for next season.

BTW, in case you were wondering, the strike could have been settled for about $151 million over three years with one of the WGA's earlier proposals. Considering the studios have lost considerably more than that, their negotiation tactic of walking away from the table for a month worked out real well.

R.I.P. HEATH LEDGER: The actor, 28, died Tuesday of an apparent accidental drug overdose, though police haven't concluded anything yet. It's a shame that the talented young actor died in such a way, but what is even a bigger shame is that his death won't likely serve as a lesson to anyone in the future.

WEDNESDAY'S BEST BETS: We've kind of reached the real dregs here with the debut of the new game show, "The Moment of Truth" (Fox, 9 p.m.), in which contestants must answer embarrassing questions about themselves while hooked to a polygraph. (Personally, I'm waiting for the celebrity edition of this show, starring Roger Clemens). This show is so bad it was actually pulled off the air in South America after a contestant admitted hiring a hitman for her mother-in-law. But as Fox reality guru Mike Darnell knows, there's no limits to the bad taste shared by the American TV viewing audience.

"Cashmere Mafia" (ABC, 10 p.m.) is also new, as are "Criminal Minds" (CBS, 9 p.m.) and "CSI: NY" (CBS, 10 p.m.)

On PBS, the documentary "The Jewish Americans" wraps up at 9 p.m.

Two new series debut on Starz tonight, with "Head Case" airing at 10 p.m. about a shrink with celebrity clientele, followed by "Hollywood Residential," at 10:30 p.m., about the host of a home makeover show.