There's been so much action going on with the TCA and the midseason returns and what-not that we sort of missed the announcement for the DGA Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television nominations for 2009. It's quite an interesting bunch, as much for what and who's included and who and what were left out.

Since the DGA noms come from the directors themselves, these awards are indicative of what the professionals really think of their peers. Very illuminating, if you ask me. Check it out, category by category, and feel free to comment on my comments.

Friday morning the Director's Guild of America announced their picks for the best directed cable and network TV shows in 2009.

Among the list there were several surprises, including nominations for many newcomers to the '09 TV schedule, namely 'Modern Family' and 'Glee'. We're also glad to see many prominent critical faves like 'Mad Men' and 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' well-represented on the list again for stellar seasons.

NBC's quality comedy programming was clearly snubbed, though, taking home nilch for such Awards-show staples as '30 Rock' and 'The Office'; even a greatly improved 'Parks and Recreation' got no love.

After the jump you'll find the list of the TV DGA nominations.

Variety is reporting that the strike is indeed over. I think I speak for everyone at TV Squad when I say, "Yay!" to this news. The WGA West president announced that almost 93% of the guild members have voted in favor of lifting the strike. The total vote tally was 3,492 members for yes and 283 for no. The vote, held over 48 hours, allowed members to vote in person at the Writer's Guild Theatre in Beverly Hills or the Gotham Crowne Plaza or via fax.

As Bob detailed earlier, it looks like there may be an end in sight to the three-month old writers strike. In fact, Variety reports that now it's just a matter of crossing the T's, dotting the I's, and voting on the new contract. As for the rest of this season and next? TV executives had slated February 15th as the "Do or Die" date. If a deal could not be made by that date, this season was pretty much done and pilot season for next year was at risk as well. But now it looks like this thing may be over by the end of this week.

Compromises were made on both sides, but the streaming revenue the writers were fighting for has been addressed, with scribes getting a flat fee for for the first year (excluding a limited free initial 2-3 week window for promotional purposes) followed by a percentage of distributor's gross. What this means is that networks will be able to stream all shows for several weeks after their initial airing for free, and they can keep a whole season online for a year for a single flat rate, but for deals like the current streaming of the entire Lost run in HD on abc.com, a percentage cut would go to writers. Download residuals closely followed the earlier DGA deal, which nearly doubles writer residuals there. Hopefully, they can wrap this up soon and we can get our full Lost season in this year. And maybe a late start to 24 as well?

Author and television writer Peter David offered his own take on the DGA deal with the AMPTP (see his January 18th post) and what it means tor the WGA. Fundamentally, Mr. David believes the the hesitancy of the AMPTP to give Internet residuals was a smokescreen to prevent the WGA from unionizing reality and animation shows.

The proof of this lies with the rapidity of the DGA agreement with regards to similar terms. Now there is pressure on the WGA to ratify the agreement as-is. I suppose if the WGA agreement is done soon,

The DGA has accomplished what the WGA has not thus far. It has negotiated a new contract with the AMPTP.

The new contract does include a residual payment formula for new media including the Internet. Both the DGA and the AMPTP seem satisfied with the arrangement, based on statements by both sides.