Mar 28, 2024
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Headline, Industry News

Networks ready for May sweeps

By: Bill Brioux

You sat in front of the TV set all April and fumed. Reruns! Every night, reruns!

Not this month as the networks try to pull you back in front of your favourite shows. It is the annual ritual known as the May sweeps, when networks pack their schedules with guest stars, cliffhangers and wacky stunts in order to goose ratings and set ad rates ever higher heading into another season.

Will Jack Bauer save the world (again)? Will the Heroes save the cheerleader? We know "The King Of Queens" is abdicating, but is this also adios for the "Gilmore Girls"? By May 23 (the last day of sweeps), you’ll know the answers to all of these questions, as well as who wins another edition of "American Idol." Battery up the remote and keep this list handy.

FINISH LINES: Winners are about to be declared on the most popular reality shows, starting Sunday with "The Amazing Race: All-Stars" (CTV and CBS). Just three teams are left. Can those plucky cousins beat the odds? Go Charla.

"Survivor: Fiji" limps into the sunset with a two-hour finale and one-hour reunion show May 13 (Global and CBS). Survivor has shed about a million viewers over the last year. Still, after an astounding 200 episodes, it remains a Top 10 hit. Look for executive producer Mark Burnett to kick everybody off the island next season, moving the game to mainland China.

"America’s Next Top Model" will be named May 16 (Citytv/the CW), and "Dancing With the Stars" awards their next mirror ball trophy May 21 (CTV/ABC). Even though Sanjaya Malakar won’t win "American Idol," he’ll be there when the sixth winner is crowned on the two-night finale (May 22-23, CTV/Fox).

OVER AND OUT: "The Sopranos," one of the greatest TV dramas ever, sleeps with the fishes June 10 with "Made in America" (the Movie Network/Movie Central). Two other long-running shows are packing it in this month: "7th Heaven," which was cancelled then brought back last spring, goes to its maker after 11 seasons May 13 (the CW). Look for the God-fearing Camdens (Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks) to ditch all those married kids and drive away in their new RV. The next night (May 14), Anne Meara joins real-life hubby Jerry Stiller in a hour-long "King of Queens" finale (CBS). It says something about the sorry state of American sitcoms that this under-the-radar series not only lasted nine seasons but was last week’s highest-rated network comedy.

ON THE FENCE: Someone please stick a fork in "Gilmore Girls." In the season finale, titled "Bon Voyage" (May 15 on the CW), Stars Hollows throws a big grad bash for Rory (Alexis Bledel), with CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour attending. Huh? Word has it Bledel and Lauren Graham (Lorelai) want out after seven yappy years. The CW is offering big bucks for another half season. There are also whispers that the CW’s plucky detective Veronica Mars could come back _ albeit as a grown up FBI agent _ after the two-hour, third season finale airs May 22. A reprieve seems less likely for "Crossing Jordan," with star Jill Hennessy’s character heading for a plane crash in the mountains (May 16, NBC). After 17 seasons, May 18 could sound the final Ka-chung! For TV’s longest-running drama, "Law & Order" (NBC). Harry Hamlin, Jeremy Sisto and Jeffrey Tambor (as a hammy judge) all guest.

Also iffy for renewal is rookie drama "Jericho," which could blow up for good May 9. And "Scrubs" could be scrapped after its May 17 finale (NBC), although there are reports that this Disney-produced sitcom could move over to ABC _ if star Zach Braff comes to terms.

SEASON FINALES: Drugs! Sex! Murder! No, not "CSI," it’s the season finale of "Degrassi: The Next Generation" (two parts, May 7 and 14 on CTV). Alex takes a job as a stripper to help out at home. What ever happened to somebody gets a pimple? Other season finales include "My Name Is Earl" (May 10), "CSI" (Sara goes missing, forcing Grissom to spill the beans about their relationship, May 17), "Desperate Housewives" (with Bree crashing Gaby’s wedding, May 20), "Heroes" (somebody dies!) and "24" (somebody else dies! Both May 21), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (guest starring real life lawyers Star Jones and Nancy Grace, May 22) and "Lost" (again somebody dies! In a two hour finale, May 23).

SPECIALS: This Sunday, Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Mike Myers goof it up on Saturday Night Live In The ’90s: Pop Culture Nation. Reba McEntire hosts "The 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards" May 15 on CBS. There are several salutes to game show legend Bob Barker, including "The Price Is Right Million-Dollar Spectacular" (May 16) and "Bob Barker: A Celebration of 50 Years in Television" (May 17). Barker will oversee his last showcase showdown in June. And know-it-all TV shrink Dr. Phil heads to prison to interview a really bad dad in "A Dr. Phil Primetime Special." (May 18, CBS).

MILESTONES: Can this be possible? "Deal or No Deal" airs its 100th episode this Sunday. That’s nothing compared with "The Simpsons," which airs No. 400 May 20, with Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub guest voicing as their 24 characters, helping Bart and Lisa deal with school bullies Dolph, Kearney and Jimbo. Look out for that stink bomb!

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Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Headline, Industry News

Networks ready for May sweeps

By: Bill Brioux

You sat in front of the TV set all April and fumed. Reruns! Every night, reruns!

Not this month as the networks try to pull you back in front of your favourite shows. It is the annual ritual known as the May sweeps, when networks pack their schedules with guest stars, cliffhangers and wacky stunts in order to goose ratings and set ad rates ever higher heading into another season.

Will Jack Bauer save the world (again)? Will the Heroes save the cheerleader? We know "The King Of Queens" is abdicating, but is this also adios for the "Gilmore Girls"? By May 23 (the last day of sweeps), you’ll know the answers to all of these questions, as well as who wins another edition of "American Idol." Battery up the remote and keep this list handy.

FINISH LINES: Winners are about to be declared on the most popular reality shows, starting Sunday with "The Amazing Race: All-Stars" (CTV and CBS). Just three teams are left. Can those plucky cousins beat the odds? Go Charla.

"Survivor: Fiji" limps into the sunset with a two-hour finale and one-hour reunion show May 13 (Global and CBS). Survivor has shed about a million viewers over the last year. Still, after an astounding 200 episodes, it remains a Top 10 hit. Look for executive producer Mark Burnett to kick everybody off the island next season, moving the game to mainland China.

"America’s Next Top Model" will be named May 16 (Citytv/the CW), and "Dancing With the Stars" awards their next mirror ball trophy May 21 (CTV/ABC). Even though Sanjaya Malakar won’t win "American Idol," he’ll be there when the sixth winner is crowned on the two-night finale (May 22-23, CTV/Fox).

OVER AND OUT: "The Sopranos," one of the greatest TV dramas ever, sleeps with the fishes June 10 with "Made in America" (the Movie Network/Movie Central). Two other long-running shows are packing it in this month: "7th Heaven," which was cancelled then brought back last spring, goes to its maker after 11 seasons May 13 (the CW). Look for the God-fearing Camdens (Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks) to ditch all those married kids and drive away in their new RV. The next night (May 14), Anne Meara joins real-life hubby Jerry Stiller in a hour-long "King of Queens" finale (CBS). It says something about the sorry state of American sitcoms that this under-the-radar series not only lasted nine seasons but was last week’s highest-rated network comedy.

ON THE FENCE: Someone please stick a fork in "Gilmore Girls." In the season finale, titled "Bon Voyage" (May 15 on the CW), Stars Hollows throws a big grad bash for Rory (Alexis Bledel), with CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour attending. Huh? Word has it Bledel and Lauren Graham (Lorelai) want out after seven yappy years. The CW is offering big bucks for another half season. There are also whispers that the CW’s plucky detective Veronica Mars could come back _ albeit as a grown up FBI agent _ after the two-hour, third season finale airs May 22. A reprieve seems less likely for "Crossing Jordan," with star Jill Hennessy’s character heading for a plane crash in the mountains (May 16, NBC). After 17 seasons, May 18 could sound the final Ka-chung! For TV’s longest-running drama, "Law & Order" (NBC). Harry Hamlin, Jeremy Sisto and Jeffrey Tambor (as a hammy judge) all guest.

Also iffy for renewal is rookie drama "Jericho," which could blow up for good May 9. And "Scrubs" could be scrapped after its May 17 finale (NBC), although there are reports that this Disney-produced sitcom could move over to ABC _ if star Zach Braff comes to terms.

SEASON FINALES: Drugs! Sex! Murder! No, not "CSI," it’s the season finale of "Degrassi: The Next Generation" (two parts, May 7 and 14 on CTV). Alex takes a job as a stripper to help out at home. What ever happened to somebody gets a pimple? Other season finales include "My Name Is Earl" (May 10), "CSI" (Sara goes missing, forcing Grissom to spill the beans about their relationship, May 17), "Desperate Housewives" (with Bree crashing Gaby’s wedding, May 20), "Heroes" (somebody dies!) and "24" (somebody else dies! Both May 21), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (guest starring real life lawyers Star Jones and Nancy Grace, May 22) and "Lost" (again somebody dies! In a two hour finale, May 23).

SPECIALS: This Sunday, Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Mike Myers goof it up on Saturday Night Live In The ’90s: Pop Culture Nation. Reba McEntire hosts "The 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards" May 15 on CBS. There are several salutes to game show legend Bob Barker, including "The Price Is Right Million-Dollar Spectacular" (May 16) and "Bob Barker: A Celebration of 50 Years in Television" (May 17). Barker will oversee his last showcase showdown in June. And know-it-all TV shrink Dr. Phil heads to prison to interview a really bad dad in "A Dr. Phil Primetime Special." (May 18, CBS).

MILESTONES: Can this be possible? "Deal or No Deal" airs its 100th episode this Sunday. That’s nothing compared with "The Simpsons," which airs No. 400 May 20, with Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub guest voicing as their 24 characters, helping Bart and Lisa deal with school bullies Dolph, Kearney and Jimbo. Look out for that stink bomb!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Headline, Industry News

Networks ready for May sweeps

By: Bill Brioux

You sat in front of the TV set all April and fumed. Reruns! Every night, reruns!

Not this month as the networks try to pull you back in front of your favourite shows. It is the annual ritual known as the May sweeps, when networks pack their schedules with guest stars, cliffhangers and wacky stunts in order to goose ratings and set ad rates ever higher heading into another season.

Will Jack Bauer save the world (again)? Will the Heroes save the cheerleader? We know "The King Of Queens" is abdicating, but is this also adios for the "Gilmore Girls"? By May 23 (the last day of sweeps), you’ll know the answers to all of these questions, as well as who wins another edition of "American Idol." Battery up the remote and keep this list handy.

FINISH LINES: Winners are about to be declared on the most popular reality shows, starting Sunday with "The Amazing Race: All-Stars" (CTV and CBS). Just three teams are left. Can those plucky cousins beat the odds? Go Charla.

"Survivor: Fiji" limps into the sunset with a two-hour finale and one-hour reunion show May 13 (Global and CBS). Survivor has shed about a million viewers over the last year. Still, after an astounding 200 episodes, it remains a Top 10 hit. Look for executive producer Mark Burnett to kick everybody off the island next season, moving the game to mainland China.

"America’s Next Top Model" will be named May 16 (Citytv/the CW), and "Dancing With the Stars" awards their next mirror ball trophy May 21 (CTV/ABC). Even though Sanjaya Malakar won’t win "American Idol," he’ll be there when the sixth winner is crowned on the two-night finale (May 22-23, CTV/Fox).

OVER AND OUT: "The Sopranos," one of the greatest TV dramas ever, sleeps with the fishes June 10 with "Made in America" (the Movie Network/Movie Central). Two other long-running shows are packing it in this month: "7th Heaven," which was cancelled then brought back last spring, goes to its maker after 11 seasons May 13 (the CW). Look for the God-fearing Camdens (Stephen Collins and Catherine Hicks) to ditch all those married kids and drive away in their new RV. The next night (May 14), Anne Meara joins real-life hubby Jerry Stiller in a hour-long "King of Queens" finale (CBS). It says something about the sorry state of American sitcoms that this under-the-radar series not only lasted nine seasons but was last week’s highest-rated network comedy.

ON THE FENCE: Someone please stick a fork in "Gilmore Girls." In the season finale, titled "Bon Voyage" (May 15 on the CW), Stars Hollows throws a big grad bash for Rory (Alexis Bledel), with CNN correspondent Christiane Amanpour attending. Huh? Word has it Bledel and Lauren Graham (Lorelai) want out after seven yappy years. The CW is offering big bucks for another half season. There are also whispers that the CW’s plucky detective Veronica Mars could come back _ albeit as a grown up FBI agent _ after the two-hour, third season finale airs May 22. A reprieve seems less likely for "Crossing Jordan," with star Jill Hennessy’s character heading for a plane crash in the mountains (May 16, NBC). After 17 seasons, May 18 could sound the final Ka-chung! For TV’s longest-running drama, "Law & Order" (NBC). Harry Hamlin, Jeremy Sisto and Jeffrey Tambor (as a hammy judge) all guest.

Also iffy for renewal is rookie drama "Jericho," which could blow up for good May 9. And "Scrubs" could be scrapped after its May 17 finale (NBC), although there are reports that this Disney-produced sitcom could move over to ABC _ if star Zach Braff comes to terms.

SEASON FINALES: Drugs! Sex! Murder! No, not "CSI," it’s the season finale of "Degrassi: The Next Generation" (two parts, May 7 and 14 on CTV). Alex takes a job as a stripper to help out at home. What ever happened to somebody gets a pimple? Other season finales include "My Name Is Earl" (May 10), "CSI" (Sara goes missing, forcing Grissom to spill the beans about their relationship, May 17), "Desperate Housewives" (with Bree crashing Gaby’s wedding, May 20), "Heroes" (somebody dies!) and "24" (somebody else dies! Both May 21), "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (guest starring real life lawyers Star Jones and Nancy Grace, May 22) and "Lost" (again somebody dies! In a two hour finale, May 23).

SPECIALS: This Sunday, Dana Carvey, Will Ferrell, Tina Fey and Mike Myers goof it up on Saturday Night Live In The ’90s: Pop Culture Nation. Reba McEntire hosts "The 42nd Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards" May 15 on CBS. There are several salutes to game show legend Bob Barker, including "The Price Is Right Million-Dollar Spectacular" (May 16) and "Bob Barker: A Celebration of 50 Years in Television" (May 17). Barker will oversee his last showcase showdown in June. And know-it-all TV shrink Dr. Phil heads to prison to interview a really bad dad in "A Dr. Phil Primetime Special." (May 18, CBS).

MILESTONES: Can this be possible? "Deal or No Deal" airs its 100th episode this Sunday. That’s nothing compared with "The Simpsons," which airs No. 400 May 20, with Kiefer Sutherland and Mary Lynn Rajskub guest voicing as their 24 characters, helping Bart and Lisa deal with school bullies Dolph, Kearney and Jimbo. Look out for that stink bomb!

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Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

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