Broadcast networks and cable channels are ready for a strike lasting at least three months, and some executives think there may not be a settlement until late spring, according to the San Jose Mercury News. We could be in this for the long haul.

Of course, we could use this strike to make some exciting new life changes. We could take a walk around the block, cook a decent dinner or learn to knit. We could do our political science homework or play a pick-up game of baseball. We could even read a book! There’s no need to anxiously await the conclusion of a WGA-written season when the ending to “The Sun Also Rises” or “The Catcher in the Rye” is already written. But let’s not get crazy here — it may just be time to finally drop the cash for the complete series of “Arrested Development” on DVD.

In all seriousness, while we at The State News admittedly don’t know much about the inner workings of the show business industry, we’re writers, too. Unlike some of the work behind various other unions across the country, what the scripts writers create are creative expressions of themselves. Many writers also are actors, and many writers act out the roles they write.

“The Shield” creator Shawn Ryan won’t cross picket lines to work on the season finale, but not being there breaks his heart. Many other actors, such as Steve Carell and Ellen DeGeneres, are breaking their contractual obligations to show up because they are WGA members. They write because they love it, but they support their union because they believe in wage distribution equality.

Regardless of where the content airs, a writer should be appropriately compensated for that content, and the biggest issue WGA workers are focusing on is receiving fair pay for work on mediums not covered under the last writers’ contract, such as digital downloading and DVD sales. The Internet is an ever-growing economic power, and Hollywood moguls will stuff more and more money into their pockets as profits increase.

If the current contracts aren’t altered, writers will see little compensation for their creative genius that is so central to the very existence of television’s most popular shows.

No matter what, for the economic well-being of the WGA writers and for the futures of our favorite shows, the strike needs to end quickly.

However, many are starting to feel this may be a long, drawn-out affair — there aren’t even any plans yet to hit the negotiation table in the near future. If this isn’t sorted out soon, even “Grey’s Anatomy” may be airing reruns.