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[04/16/03 - 12:00 AM]
ABC Announces Its May 2003 Sweeps Plans
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- ABC has finalized its plans for the final month of the 2002-03 season. Here's a rundown of the various season finales, movies and specials you'll see during the May sweeps period (culled from ABC's press releases):

SEASON FINALES

ALIAS � TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE -- "SECOND DOUBLE" & "THE TELLING" � SUNDAY, MAY 4 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) -- ABC�s electrifying spy drama wraps up an exciting season with a special, two-part Season Finale. In part one of the two-hour broadcast � "Second Double" � Sydney begins to question Will�s identity when he�s arrested for espionage, under suspicion of being a double. Meanwhile Sark and Irina plot to recover the Rambaldi heart, and Sloane makes Jack a business proposal. In part two -- "The Telling" -- Sydney finally confronts her mother, who reveals her true motivation. Sloane, for his part, begins to execute his new grand plan, Will struggles to figure out who�s behind his set-up, and Marshall finds love.

THE PRACTICE � TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE -- "BABY LOVE" & "GOODBYE" � MONDAY, MAY 5 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) � The series wraps up this season with a special two-episode season finale which will leave the firm � and its members � forever changed. In the first episode � "Baby Love," Bobby comes clean with Lindsay about his affair with old flame Sarah Barker (Teri Polo), and divorce seems imminent. Meanwhile, unexpected feelings arise when Eugene and Jamie work together to defend a pregnant woman who was the victim of spousal abuse and now stands accused of murder, and Claire and Jimmy defend a client who is suing a HUD housing complex for negligence. Bobby drops a bombshell on the firm in the second episode, "Goodbye," when he announces his resignation and appoints Eugene as senior partner. Meanwhile, Jimmy and Rebecca defend a man who is accused of killing his sister-in-law, with an unexpected twist, and Eugene and Jamie�s newfound feelings begin to develop into a relationship.

AMERICA�S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS � SEASON FINALE (EPISODE 1324) � FRIDAY, MAY 9 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) -- One lucky finalist�s life will change forever when the votes are submitted and tallied to choose the $100,000 grand prize winner. This episode includes a special Mother�s Day tribute.

DRAGNET � SEASON FINALE -- "THE LITTLE GUY" � SUNDAY, MAY 11 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) -- Joe Friday�s career as a cop and his quest to bring criminals to justice is on the line when he kills one of the notorious Sanchez brothers in an effort to protect an innocent member of their gang.

THE GEORGE LOPEZ SHOW � SEASON FINALE � "LONG TIME NO SEE" � WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET) � When George finally decides to approach his estranged father, Manny Lopez, his solitary journey turns into a family vacation and a day of reckoning for Benny.

THE BACHELOR � TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE (EPISODE 308) � SUNDAY, MAY 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) -- Has Andrew found true love? Once there were 25, now there are just two. Which woman holds the key to Andrew Firestone�s heart?

8 SIMPLE RULES FOR DATING MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER � SEASON FINALE � "FINALE, PART II" -- TUESDAY, MAY 20 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) � The sibling rivalry between Cate and Maggie (Cybill Shepherd) comes to a boiling point when Maggie gets a sexy, new makeover and gives Bridget a water bra as a gift. Meanwhile tensions between the Hennessy sisters mount when Kerry and Kyle begin dating, while Bridget�s popularity takes a nosedive after she dissed her friends for Donny (Thad Luckinbill, J.T. Hellstrom on "The Young and the Restless"); and Paul becomes concerned when he finds an empty pregnancy test kit.

ACCORDING TO JIM � ONE HOUR SEASON FINALE -- "VEGAS, BABY" �TUESDAY, MAY 20 (one hour, 8:30-9:30 p.m., ET) -- On a family trip to Vegas, Cheryl secretly plans a reunion with Jim and his estranged sister Roxanne (Jennifer Coolidge, "Best in Show," "American Pie"). Wayne Newton appears as himself.

LESS THAN PERFECT � SEASON FINALE -- "THE UMBRELLA" � TUESDAY, MAY 20 (9:30-10:00 p.m., ET) � When a new Executive Producer, Ted Elliot (Michael Boatman, "Spin City"), is brought in to GNB to shake things up, Claude believes she can stay above the fray. She is shocked to learn, however, that not even Will can protect her from Ted�s new way of business. For the first time, Claude is forced to question her future working for Will.

NYPD BLUE � SEASON FINALE � "22 SKIDOO" � TUESDAY, MAY 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET) � Sipowicz and Clark investigate a series of evidently racially motivated murders. Meanwhile McDowell and Sipowicz want to get married but run up against a rule against married cops working on the same squad, Clark�s relationship with Dr. Devlin heats up and Captain Fraker pursues a vendetta against Rodriguez and Sipowicz.

MY WIFE AND KIDS � ONE HOUR SEASON FINALE � "GRADUATION" � WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 (one hour, 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) � In the one-hour season finale, it�s high school graduation day for Jr., but amidst all the celebration, Michael and Jay are concerned about their son�s future. Michael goes to hilarious extremes to get Jr. admitted to the college he wanted to attend, and Jay is afraid that, if Jr. doesn�t go away to school, he will marry Vanessa (Meagan Goode), his girlfriend. Their hopes for Jr.�s immediate future are dashed when Jr. and Vanessa drop a bombshell on them.

MOVIES

"FORREST GUMP" � ABC SATURDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES � SATURDAY, APRIL 26 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) -- Forty years of American triumphs and disasters, exaltations and exclamations are recalled through a unique vision -- the vision of a tender, loving man-child (Tom Hanks), in the Academy Award-winning 1994 film, which will air in HDTV with 5.1-channel surround sound.

"ELOISE AT THE PLAZA" � THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF DISNEY � SUNDAY, APRIL 27 (7:00-9:00 p.m., ET) -- One of the most beloved and recognizable characters in children�s literature, "Eloise," comes to life in an original, live action film based on the best-selling illustrated children�s books written by the late Kay Thompson, with illustrations by Hilary Knight. Academy Award-winning actress and Hollywood legend Julie Andrews ("The Princess Diaries," "Mary Poppins," "The Sound of Music") stars with ten-year-old newcomer Sofia Vassilieva ("The Brady Bunch in the White House") in the title role.

"CHARLIE�S ANGELS" � ABC MONDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES � NETWORK TELEVISION PREMIERE -- APRIL 28 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) � This fun, fast-paced and kick-action comedy is based on ABC�s hit �70s television series and stars the dynamite trio of Cameron Diaz ("Gangs of New York," "Vanilla Sky"), Drew Barrymore ("Confessions of a Dangerous Mind," "Riding in Cars with Boys") and Lucy Liu ("Chicago," "Shanghai Noon"). Also starring are Bill Murray ("The Royal Tenenbaums"), Kelly Lynch ("Joe Somebody"), Crispin Glover ("Willard," upcoming "Charlie�s Angels: Full Throttle") and Tim Curry ("Scary Movie 2"). The movie will be presented in HDTV format with 5.1-channel surround sound and also in Spanish. This movie airs again on Saturday, May 17 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET).

"E.T. THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL" � ABC SUNDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES � MAY 11 (7:00-10:00 p.m., ET) � Released in 2002, this is the extended version of Steven Spielberg�s Academy Award-winning blockbuster, making its network television premiere in HDTV format with 5.1-channel surround sound. The original feature won four Academy Awards of its nine nominations. It stars Drew Barrymore ("Charlie�s Angels," "Riding in Cars with Boys"), Henry Thomas ("Gangs of New York"), Dee Wallace-Stone ("She�s No Angel"), Peter Coyote ("A Walk to Remember") and C. Thomas Howell ("WillFull"). "This movie made my heart glad. It is filled with innocence, hope and good cheer. It is also wickedly funny and exciting as hell." � Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times.

"THE DIARY OF ELLEN RIMBAUER" � ABC MONDAY NIGHT AT THE MOVIES � MONDAY, MAY 12 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) -- Based on the best-selling novel, this prequel to "Stephen King�s Rose Red" follows the story of the twisted marriage of matriarch Ellen Rimbauer to the promiscuous early 20th-Century industrialist, John Rimbauer, and the haunted beginnings of an enormous Seattle mansion that has come to life. Steven Brand, Lisa Brenner, Kate Burton, Tsai Chin, Brad Greenquist and Tsidii Leloka star.

SPECIALS

ABC�S 50th ANNIVERSARY BLOOPER CELEBRATION, PART 1 � MONDAY, APRIL 28 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) � ABC�s biggest stars from the past 50 years are seen in this installment of one of television�s longest-running series of specials, hosted by Dick Clark and featuring special guest appearances by Marion Ross ("Happy Days"), Jim Belushi ("According to Jim"), Judd Hirsch ("Taxi") and Joyce DeWitt ("Three�s Company"). Among the other shows featured will be "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," "According to Jim," "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet," "Bosom Buddies," "Coach," "The Drew Carey Show," "Happy Days," "Home Improvement," "Laverne & Shirley," "McHale�s Navy," "My Wife and Kids," "Mork & Mindy," "Soap," "The Soupy Sales Show," "Spin City," "Taxi" and "Three�s Company."

ABC�S 50th ANNIVERSARY BLOOPER CELEBRATION, PART 2 � MONDAY, MAY 5 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) � ABC�s biggest stars from the past 50 years are seen in this installment of one of television�s longest-running series of specials, hosted by Dick Clark and featuring special guest appearances by Tom Bosley ("Happy Days"), Dennis Franz ("NYPD Blue"), Michael Badalucco ("The Practice") and Donny Osmond ("Donny and Marie"). Among the other shows featured will be "According to Jim," "American Bandstand," "Bosom Buddies," "Donny and Marie," "Happy Days," "Home Improvement," "Laverne & Shirley," "The Lawrence Welk Show," "Let�s Make a Deal," "Mork & Mindy," "NYPD Blue," "The Odd Couple," "The Pat Boone Chevy Showroom," "The Practice," "Taxi," "Tennessee Ernie Ford Christmas Special," "Too Close for Comfort," and "Who Do You Trust."

ESPN�S BLUNDERFUL WORLD OF SPORTS � SUNDAY, MAY 4 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET) � Jim Belushi, star of ABC�s "According to Jim," serves as tour guide of ESPN�s one-hour special featuring blunders that both surprise and amaze and make the wide world of sports truly wonderful. The laugh-packed telecast counts down the top 10 blunder classics from major and not-so-major sports. Among those providing Belushi with an assist are Jason Sehorn, a 10-year veteran of the New York Giants, ESPN SportsCenter anchor Rich Eisen and Olympic freestyle skier Johnny Mosley.

TIM ALLEN PRESENTS: A USER�S GUIDE TO HOME IMPROVEMENT � SUNDAY, MAY 4 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) � It�s been four years since "Home Improvement," one of the most popular and beloved family comedies of the �90s and one of ABC�s most successful comedy shows, has been on the air. In "Tim Allen Presents: A User�s Guide To Home Improvement," cast members return in a one-hour special that reunites Tim Allen as Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor, Richard Karn as "Tool Time" sidekick Al Borland and Debbe Dunning as Heidi The "Tool Time" Girl. In the special, Tim Allen presents his own favorite clips and show bloopers, and shares personal reflections while referring to his handbook, "A User�s Guide to Home Improvement." With help from deejay Casey Sander and announcer Earl Hindman (Wilson), Tim explains where the inspiration for his manifesto on male improvement came from, as well as his affinity for trying to fix mechanical things and give them more power. This special repeats SATURDAY, MAY 17 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

ALL ABC BLOOPERS � MONDAY, MAY 12 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) � ABC�s biggest stars are seen in one of television�s longest-running series of specials, Dick Clark�s "All ABC Bloopers." Hosted by Dick Clark and featuring special guest appearances by Tisha Campbell-Martin ("My Wife and Kids"), George Lopez ("George Lopez"), Kevin Weisman ("Alias") and Andy Dick ("Less Than Perfect"). This special features funny out-takes from popular ABC shows and local newscasts from around the United States. Using film and tape segments, viewers will be treated to bleeped ad-libs, forgotten lines and uncontrollable laughter from some of ABC�s favorite stars. Tisha Campbell-Martin introduces a series of bloopers featuring Damon Wayans from "My Wife and Kids," and George Lopez of "George Lopez" presents some ad-libs involving his cast. Kevin Weisman recalls some hilarious bloopers from one of ABC�s most popular television series, "Alias." Andy Dick introduces various flubs from "Less than Perfect," featuring endless laughs from his fellow castmates. A special clip shows a visit by a psychic to the set of "Live with Regis and Kelly," as she predicts that Kelly is pregnant, even before she has announced it to Regis. Bonnie Hunt from "Life with Bonnie" is shown singing for an ABC "Monday Night Football" promo, as she is interrupted by a football pass. Among the other shows featured are "8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter," "According to Jim" and "The Drew Carey Show."

THE BACHELOR: THE WOMEN TELL ALL � WEDNESDAY, MAY 14 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) � The 23 women that Andrew didn't select reunite to share behind-the-scenes information and give their perspective on which woman he will choose.

NBA PLAYOFFS ON ABC � GAME 6, IF NECESSARY, CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS � THURSDAY, MAY 15 (8:00-10:30 p.m., ET)

30th ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMY AWARDS � FRIDAY, MAY 16 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) � Daytime Emmy Award-nominee Wayne Brady ("The Wayne Brady Show") hosts the event, which will be presented live from Radio City Music Hall.

ABC�S 50th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION � MONDAY, MAY 19 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET) -- The ABC Television Network is commemorating its 50 historic years of television in a memorable three-hour special celebration. The event features appearances, clips and interviews with ABC stars past and present � from Primetime to Daytime, Sports to News � representing every genre of ABC�s 50-year history of television programming.





  [april 2003]  
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· ACCORDING TO JIM (ABC)
· ALIAS (ABC)
· AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS (ABC)
· BACHELOR, THE (ABC)
· BRADY BUNCH IN THE WHITE HOUSE, THE (FOX)
· DIARY OF ELLEN RIMBAUER, THE (ABC)
· DREW CAREY SHOW, THE (ABC)
· EIGHT SIMPLE RULES (ABC)
· ELOISE AT THE PLAZA (ABC)
· GEORGE LOPEZ SHOW, THE (ABC)
· LA DRAGNET (ABC)
· LESS THAN PERFECT (ABC)
· LIFE WITH BONNIE (ABC)
· MY WIFE & KIDS (ABC)
· NYPD BLUE (ABC)
· PRACTICE, THE (ABC)
· SPIN CITY (ABC)
· STEPHEN KING'S ROSE RED (ABC)
· WAYNE BRADY SHOW, THE (ABC)





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