Posted on: Wednesday, May 4, 2005

Getting caught up in TV sweeps

By Gail Pennington
Knight Ridder News Service

Elvis Presley vs. "Desperate Housewives." Donald Trump (unauthorized) vs. Rob and Amber's wedding (authorized). The "American Idol" finale vs. the Amber Frey movie. Prepare to make some tough choices as television networks take one last stab at boosting ratings for the 2004-05 TV season during May sweeps, the four-week period running through May 25.

ABC made a surprise turnaround this season, thanks to "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives," and brought some much-needed buzz back to network TV. And NBC, after years on top, sank to a shocking fourth place with viewers in the 18-49 age bracket — while CBS, "the geezer network," stood a real chance of finishing No. 1 with that advertiser-coveted demographic.

CBS is battling Fox, the "American Idol" network, for that first-place crown. "Idol" will air its finale on the final night of sweeps, but competitors (except for NBC) aren't rolling over in the face of expected huge ratings.

CBS offers Janel Moloney (Donna on "The West Wing") in "Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution," the story of the Scott Peterson murder trial as told from the side of his mistress.

ABC counters with the two-hour season finale of "Lost."

NBC? Two "Law & Order" repeats, followed by the season finale of "Criminal Intent." Also on NBC's sweeps-month calendar: an "ER" goodbye to its last remaining original cast member, Noah Wyle.

Here's a chronological look at some of the big events of May sweeps, including series finales and major season finales. Check daily listings to confirm airings:

• "Third Watch" series finale, Friday on NBC.

• "Elvis," Sunday, on CBS, concluding May 11. The two-part biopic stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers as Elvis Presley.

• "Amazing Race 7" season finale, Tuesday on CBS.

• "Survivor: Palau" season finale, May 15 on CBS.

• "Crossing Jordan" season finale, May 15 on NBC.

• "Everybody Loves Raymond" series finale, May 16 on CBS.

• "Hercules," May 16 on NBC. Sean Astin, Leelee Sobieski, Timothy Dalton and Elizabeth Perkins, with Paul Telfer in the title role, star in the epic.

• Academy of Country Music Awards, May 17 on CBS.

• "The Bachelor" season finale, May 17 on ABC.

• "Revelations" miniseries finale, May 18 on NBC.

• "Law & Order" season finale, May 18 on NBC.

• "That '70s Show" season finale, May 18 on Fox. Topher Grace leaves the show.

• "CSI: NY" season finale, May 18 on CBS.

• "Apprentice" season finale, May 19 on NBC.

• "ER" season finale (and Wyle farewell), May 19 on NBC.

• "CSI" season finale, May 19 on CBS. Quentin Tarantino directs.

• "Without a Trace" season finale, May 19 on CBS. Vivian (Marianne Jean-Baptiste) undergoes heart surgery.

• "The O.C." season finale, May 19 on Fox. Jimmy Cooper (Tate Donovan) comes home.

• "The Muppets Wizard of Oz," May 20 on ABC. Ashanti is Dorothy, with a human cast that also includes Queen Latifah as Auntie Em, David Alan Grier as Uncle Henry and Jeffrey Tambor as the wizard.

• Daytime Emmy Awards, May 20 on CBS.

• "Desperate Housewives" season finale, May 22 on ABC.

• "Grey's Anatomy" season finale, May 22 on ABC.

• "24" season finale, May 23 on Fox.

• "Las Vegas" season finale, May 23 on NBC.

• "Medium" season finale, May 23 on NBC.

• "CSI: Miami" season finale, May 23 on CBS.

• "Nick & Jessica's Tour of Duty," May 23 on ABC. Spouses Lachey and Simpson entertain the troops, a la Bob Hope.

• "Trump Unauthorized," May 24 on ABC. Justin Louis stars in a movie that follows Donald Trump through the ups and downs of his early career.

• "Rob and Amber Get Married," May 24 on CBS.

• "The Contender" season finale, May 24 on NBC.

• "Law & Order: SVU" season finale, May 24 on NBC.

• "American Idol" season finale, May 25 on Fox.

• "Lost" season finale, May 25 on ABC.

• "Alias" season finale, May 25 on ABC.

• "Amber Frey: Witness for the Prosecution," May 25 on CBS.

• "Law & Order: CI" season finale, May 25 on NBC.