As strike lingers, cartoons and games get ready

TV networks are bracing for their scriptless season. New reminders come with:
— CBS hinting that “The Buddy Games” will debut this fall, joining a reality-show deluge.
— Fox setting its plans for Sunday animation. “Krapopolis” (shown here) – with ancient Greeks clumsily trying to create civilization – debuts with two episodes Sept. 24. The other shows – “The Simpsons,” “Bob’s Burgers” and “Family Guy” – start their season a week later.
Writers have been on strike since May 2, with gradual effect. Movie studios, streaming networks and premium cable (HBO, Showtime, Starz) work far in advance, feeling little immediate impact. Animated shows are also written early, before anything is drawn.
Regular network shows, however, tend to cut it close. Late-night shows – Fallon, Kimmel, etc. — instantly went into reruns; most other shows have no chance of having new episodes in September.
ABC acknowledged that early, putting out a fall schedule with no new scripted shows. The CW, which was already ditching its full-budget shows, is stocking up on ones already made in other countries. Fox simply listed lots of shows – many of them unscripted – with no specific schedule.
And CBS? It’s first step was to push its summer shows back to August: It will be “Big Brother,” Aug. 2; “Secret Celebrity Renovation,” Aug, 4; “Superfan,” Aug. 9; “Challenge USA,” Aug. 10. That lets all of them sprawl deep into the fall.
(That created some summer gaps, so CBS added “Tough as Nails” for Fridays and Sundays in July.)
Now comes an on-air note, telling viewers to expect “Buddy Games” this fall, too. The show is produced and hosted by Josh Duhamel, based on a tradition with his friends: Each summer, they return to North Dakota for a week of games.
There could be more. CBS has also given the go-ahead to “Loteria Loca,” with Jaime Camil (“Jane the Virgin”) producing and hosting, based on a popular Mexican game.
Meanwhile, Fox has been stocking up on cartoons for grown-ups. “Krapopolis is from Dan Harmon (“Rick and Morty,” “Community”), with people, gods and monsters trying to create a city.
In addition to “Simpsons,” “Bob’s Burgers” and “Family Guy,” the network has two more animated shows, one returning (“Up North”) and the other new: In “Grimsburg,” Jon Hamm voices a private eye who has eccentric habits and opinions.