EMMY AWARD-NOMINATED ACTOR-DIRECTOR CHARLES HAID RETURNS TO NBC�S 'THIRD WATCH' (FRIDAY, 10-11 P.M. ET)

Jason Shaw Makes Third Watch Guest-Star Debut

NEW YORK -- November 3, 2004 -- Emmy Award-nominated actor-director Charles Haid ("Hill Street Blues") reprises his role as Captian Finney on NBC's "Third Watch," his fourth appearance as Finney this season (Friday, Nov. 5 from 10-11 p.m. ET). Additionally, Haid has directed several episodes of "Third Watch."

"It is a pleasure for me to work on this show; it is an absolute gem," said Haid. "It has great drama, great integrity and a brilliant cast."

Adding to the show's formidable guest star roster is Jason Shaw, who makes his debut as a charming yet brave new firefighter this Friday.

In this week's episode, Captain Finney is relentless in his search for information to nail Sargent Cruz for the murder of Doanld Mann. Internal Affairs drops the bomb on the envelope-pushing Detective Cruz (Tia Texada) as she is taken away and struggles to survive in jail, while Captain Finney drills Detective Yokas (Molly Price) for information that will nail Cruz -- but the torn cop secretly knows that she pulled the trigger on a career criminal that frames the case against Cruz.

Elsewhere firefighter Stu Szczelaszcyak (Jason Shaw) joins Carlos (Anthony Ruivivar), Levine (guest star Yvonne Jung) and the rescue team to save a suicidal woman (as Kathy, guest star Anney Giobbe) from jumping to her death. Officer Sullivan (Skipp Sudduth) reveals more about his running feud against Finney and his rookie son (Josh Stewart). Coby Bell, Skipp Sudduth, Josh Stewart, Cara Buono, Chris Bauer, Bonnie Dennison, Nia Long and Jason Wiles also star.

Haid gained famed for his Emmy-nominated role as the blustery Officer Andy Renko on "Hill Street Blues" before transforming his skills to become an accomplished television director on such series as "ER" (which earned him a Director's Guild Award for television drama), "The Guardian" and "Third Watch." Recently, his voice was heard on the Disney animated feature film "Home on the Range," and his other films include "Who'll Stop the Rain" and "The Choirboys." Among his TV movies are "The Fire Next Time," "Cooperstown," "The Dreamer of Oz" and "In the Line of Duty: A Cop for the Killing." Haid also was a series regular in "Delvecchio" and "Kate McShane."

"Third Watch" -- now in its sixth season -- is a John Wells Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. John Wells, Christopher Chulack, and Edward Allen Bernero are the executive producers.