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This February's sweeps period can be saved.

Sure, we're almost three months into the writers' strike, and it's crippling scripted TV and spitting out hours of "reality shows" in prime time. But the networks do have a few tricks up their sleeves.

Among the surprises: a few new episodes of scripted favorites.

Here are a few of the highlights for the February sweeps, one of the most competitive ratings periods of the year:

Returning

• "American Idol" (Fox). The Hollywood semifinals begin this week, when the final 24 contestants will be revealed.

• "House" (Fox). After the Super Bowl, the hit medical drama aired a new episode. House helped a patient who was thousands of miles away at the South Pole.

• "Lost" (Thursdays, ABC). The survivors are split when deciding whether to trust the newcomers to the island. Eight new episodes have been completed for this season.

• "The New Adventures of Old Christine" (CBS). Julia Louis-Dreyfus returned last week with new episodes of her getting-older-by-the-minute sitcom.

• "Smallville" (CW). Clark's life takes a bizarre (or is it a bizarro) turn.

• "Survivor" (CBS). The 16th edition debuted Thursday and featured a first: favorites who have never won the game return to face off against diehard fans.

• "Big Brother" (Tuesday, CBS). CBS is patching up three hourlong holes in its prime-time schedule by quickly bringing back this reality show mess.

• "Jericho" (Tuesday, CBS). A second season of six episodes begin, with the city of Jericho rebuilding after a bloody battle with a nearby community.

New

• "Eli Stone" (Thursdays, ABC). A lawyer thinks he's losing his mind when he starts seeing visions of singer George Michael.

• "Welcome to the Captain" (CBS). Funny people living in the same Hollywood apartment complex star in this outrageous sitcom. It debuted last week.

• "My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad" (Feb. 18, NBC). In this reality show, dads and their children are given a set of challenges.

• "Quarterlife" (Feb. 26, NBC). This Internet sensation about friends in their mid-20s is now coming to NBC. Why? Because it can.

Specials

• "The Grammys" (Sunday, CBS). Strike or no strike by writers, this show will go on.

• "The Price Is Right" (Feb. 22, CBS). Drew Carey brings his hosting skills to prime time.

• "Academy Awards" (Feb. 24, ABC). Hollywood is hoping the event will go on, even if the strike continues.

• "A Raisin in the Sun" (Feb. 25, ABC). Oprah Winfrey is bringing the acclaimed story to television. The bad news: John Stamos is in the cast.