By DAVID BAUDER NEW YORK - To prepare for a prolonged writers strike, television networks have stockpiled a gladiator battle, a lie-detector game, a remade "Password," a celebrity "Apprentice" and a competition for aspiring Pussycat Dolls.

By DAVID BAUDER NEW YORK - To prepare for a prolonged writers strike, television networks have stockpiled a gladiator battle, a lie-detector game, a remade "Password," a celebrity "Apprentice" and a competition for aspiring Pussycat Dolls.

To prepare for a prolonged writers strike, television networks have stockpiled a gladiator battle, a lie-detector game, a remade "Password," a celebrity "Apprentice" and a competition for aspiring Pussycat Dolls.

By David Zurawik, The Baltimore Sun Feb. 1--Television viewers used to know exactly what to expect during the dark and wintery nights of February: high-concept, big-budget miniseries and trashy, made-for-TV movies.

One of the most exciting television battles during the next few weeks may be between Paula Abdul and Michelle Kwan, or another darling of the Winter Olympics.