Why all the repeasts?

Leno and Stewart are all repeats this week. Tonight's network lineup
is mostly repeats. What's the occasion?

Barry Margolin...

I think Stewart is gearing up for their big week of shows leading up to
the elections. They're probably doing lots of location work this week,
and it would be difficult to do new shows at the same time. I think
they always take a week off before any of these special weeks.

William George Ferguson...

Here, for your edification and enjoyment, is the most complete answer for
primetime.

Most the shows showing repeats have 22 episode orders. The season is 35
weeks long. These shows are typically going to show at least 11 new
episodes during the 12 Sweeps weeks (November, February, May). That leaves
11 episodes to show during the other 23 weeks. Most of those shows have
already shown either 5 or 6 new episodes, meaning they only have 5 or 6
left for 17 or 18 weeks. They want to be able to at least tease us with
the occasional new ep in December, January, March, and April, so they get
in a repeat week now.

GarondoMarondo...

Friday Night Lights, Help Me Help You, Boston Legal all new tonight.

Default User...

So Letterman for late night viewing.

cloud dreamer...

And Veronica Mars.

NCIS, SVU, CI, Unit etc are all repeats.

Depends what one wants to view;.

..
Garondo Marondo!

David...

Between 5 weeks at the start of the season and November sweeps there
needs to be a rerun week or they'll run out of new episodes.

SoHillsGuy...

a) World Series
b) lull before the November sweeps start next week

Happens every year, but like clockwork, people are going to ask "why
all the repeats?"