Earlier this week, my dear friend Jess and I were discussing how we will survive this never-ending writer’s strike. Just when I thought I would need to rely on reality tv and game shows to get me through the darkest winter yet, there appeared a glimmer of hope. Coming now, over the clouds on white shiny Comedy Central horses, Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are here to save the day!

Not quite yet, but they will be on January 7th. That’s when production resumes on their shows without their writers. I’m looking forward to it not simply because it will give me something to watch, but will prove to be an exciting experiment. How much do we actually need these writers? Can we still have good television without them?

(Note: I know Carson Daly has been doing his show without writers. No, I haven’t been watching. Have you? That’s what I thought. Moving on.)

The writers are on strike because they want more and they aren’t getting more because the other side doesn’t think the value of their input is worth the higher asking price. So there’s the deadlock.

Now, if people can go back to their shows and work without their writers and are successful at doing so, then that proves that the writers really aren’t worth their asking price. Yes, I know this isn’t possible for sitcoms, but follow me. I know, we all want to root for the underdog and think everyone deserves a good paycheck, but really, everyone only deserves to be paid what they contribute. And if Stewart and Colbert come back and prove that they don’t need the writers’ contributions to succeed, then this will show that the writers really should not be given the extra they are asking for. However, if “The Daily Show” and “Colbert Report” sink and audiences have only slight chuckles instead of rolling laughter, then this will demonstrate what the writers really are worth.

Basically, these returns will not only keep the public entertained, but it is also a nice trial run in determining value. I am excited for both.