ABC ANNOUNCES MAY SWEEPS PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING THE 100th EPISODES OF "GREY'S ANATOMY" AND "LOST," THE SPECIAL "MICHAEL J. FOX: ADVENTURES OF AN INCURABLE OPTIMIST," THE PREMIERE OF "THE BACHELORETTE," AND SOME OF THE MOST ANTICIPATED SEASON FINALES ON TELEVISION
The ABC Television Network announces highlights of its upcoming May sweeps programming, including the 100th episodes from the hit drama series "Grey's Anatomy" and "Lost," the season premiere of "The Bachelorette," the primetime special "Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist" and season finales to some of your favorite ABC shows.
Editors please note: What follows is a chronological listing of programming highlights (all times Eastern); this is not a complete list of all programs airing during May sweep.
"GREY'S ANATOMY" -- "Sweet Surrender" - As she endures aggressive treatment for her cancer, Izzie throws herself into planning Derek and Meredith's wedding, Callie introduces Arizona as her girlfriend to her disapproving father (Guest Star Hector Elizondo), George excels in a trauma emergency when Alex freezes, and Owen seeks help with his PTSD, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, APRIL 23 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"PRIVATE PRACTICE" - "What You Do for Love" - When a pregnant woman starts to show signs of heart complications, Addison rushes her to St. Ambrose where Noah is standing by to help. Meanwhile at Oceanside Wellness, Sam notices Naomi frequently sneaking away from the clinic, and her elusiveness causes him to rethink their friendship; Pete's relationship with Lisa becomes complicated by Violet's ever-present pregnancy; and Sheldon decides it's time to take a stand, on "Private Practice," THURSDAY, APRIL 23 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest stars include Josh Hopkins as Noah, Idina Menzel as Lisa and Brian Benben as Sheldon.
"WIFE SWAP" -- "Brazenwood/Taylor" - A meat-loving cowboy family with traditional values swap lives with a free-spirited vegan family who consult the stars, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, APRIL 24 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.
"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" - "Jordan Family" -- Faced with the devastating losses of a daughter in 1995 to domestic violence and then a son eight years later to a drunk driver, Monica and Brady Jordan responded not with bitterness or self-pity but with dedicated, passionate service to their community. They're now raising their three grandchildren, are strong advocates of Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and open their home to more than 100 youngsters each week who need a safe place to hang out. The Jordans make sure their home is a welcoming and safe haven where kids in the neighborhood drop by to eat, sleep, socialize and be mentored under their roof. But their house has gone without repair in years; their bathroom leaks into their kitchen, and some of the house siding has blown off. Thousands of meals have been cooked in a kitchen that's falling apart, has no overhead light, rotting counters and a stove that barely works. They have given so much for their cause and their community that M.A.D.D and the Alabama Police Department felt it was time for the Jordans to get something back. Now it's up to Ty and his designers to step in and help this family who have devoted themselves to protecting and guiding countless others. The "Jordan Family" airs on, SUNDAY, APRIL 26 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" -- "Rose's Turn" - Covering up the truth leads to unexpected consequences, on ABC's "Desperate Housewives," SUNDAY, APRIL 26 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Carlos finds Lynette in a precarious position, which she chooses to hide from Tom; Gaby hastily covers for Tom's coy behavior; Orson tries to hide the truth about his wounds from Bree; Katherine confesses to Mike, which leads to a surprising realization; and Susan confides her dark secret in Dave.
"BROTHERS & SISTERS" -- "Julia" - Out of patience waiting for Tommy to return home, Julia makes a life-changing decision about the future, Robert discovers what Kitty has been keeping from him, and Holly and Sarah finally find balance in their relationship, on "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, APRIL 26 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest stars include Luke Grimes as Ryan Lafferty, Matt Letscher as Alec, Luc Charbonnier as Ben, Andrea Luna Grano as Leanne Mitchell, Marley Barth as Elizabeth Walker and Spencer Barth as Elizabeth Walker.
"SURVIVING SUBURBIA" -- "40 Days" - When Steve convinces Anne to attend a book club so she can be introduced to a book promising intimacy through 40 days of sex, his plan backfires when Anne starts taking the time to open up and admits at one point to having lost confidence in their relationship. Meanwhile, Courtney must confess that she lost something of importance given to her by Jenna (Guest Star Lyndsey Jolly), on "Surviving Suburbia," MONDAY, APRIL 27 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"CASTLE" - "Ghosts" - Castle and Beckett investigate the murder of a woman found drowned in a bathtub of motor oil at a transient hotel. But when they uncover a dark secret about the woman's past, they must unravel a 20-year-old mystery with the help of a true crime journalist who may have been stalking the victim. Meanwhile, Beckett puts her poker face to the test as she squares off against Castle, with her money and pride at stake, on "Castle," MONDAY, APRIL 27 (10:02-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest stars include Joanne Kelly as Lee Wax, Alex Carter as Michael Goldman, Jillian Armenante as Susan Mailer, Dan Castellaneta as Judge Markway and Joseph C. Phillips as Mayor.
"ACCORDING TO JIM" -- "The Daddy Way" -- Cheryl and her friends, eager to get an afternoon away from the kids, arrange a "Daddy and Me" group for Jim and other dads with young kids at their home. Jim makes the best of a potentially boring situation by turning babysitting into a sporting event -- staging baby races where the dads bet on their kids and drink beer, on "According to Jim," TUESDAY, APRIL 28 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. Guest stars include Robert Belushi as Phil, Rachel Sondag as Joan, Harry Hannigan as Harry and Madison Dirks as Todd.
"ACCORDING TO JIM" -- "Physical Therapy" -- Jim convinces Andy to play snow football even though Andy's girlfriend, Mandy (Guest Star Jackie Debatin), warns him against it. Now injured, Andy has to hide his injury from Mandy, so Jim stages a freak accident for Andy in his home, on "According to Jim," TUESDAY, APRIL 28 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"CUPID" -- "The Tommy Brown Affair" - After Claire's apartment is broken into, Trevor realizes that locksmith and ex-jewel thief Tommy Brown is in love with Paula, his parole officer. Trevor tries to get them together, but Paula doesn't believe criminals can change. When a museum is robbed of its diamonds, all suspicions turn to Tommy and seem to validate Paula's theory. Meanwhile, since the apartment robbery, Claire finds herself relying more on Trevor, blurring the boundary between doctor and patient; and Trevor opens up more about his past, including his relationship with his parents, Venus and Mars, on "Cupid," TUESDAY, APRIL 28 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring are Adam Kaufman as Tommy, Shirley A. Rumierk as Paula Travato, Trieste Dunn as Sonja, Amy Schumer as Heather, Anna Chlumsky as Josie, Alexis Suarez as Doug, Faith Sandberg as middle aged woman, Joe Gonzalez as uniformed cop, Ed Wheeler as doorman, Brian O'Neil as supervisor, Craig Bockhorn as middle aged detective, Beth Ellen Patrick as news anchor and Bryan Scott Johnson as guard.
"SCRUBS" -- "My Chief Concern" - Change begets change when J.D. considers taking a new job so he can live closer to his son and Kim (guest starring Elizabeth Banks), Turk begins his new role as chief of surgery, and Ted and Gooch take their relationship to the next level, on "Scrubs," WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. Guest stars include Robert Maschio as Todd, Sam Lloyd as Ted, Christa Miller as Jordan, Elizabeth Banks as Kim, Eliza Coupe as Denise, Lee Thompson Young as Derek, Kate Micucci as Stephanie, Kit Pongetti as lady, John Kahle as Ethan, Nancy Daly as Mrs. Gallin and Taran Killam as Jimmy.
"BETTER OFF TED" -- "Get Happy" - Veronica comes up with some novel ways for Veridian to boost employee morale when a survey reveals they're miserable. But since the survey also showed that she's too intimidating, she's got to work on being more likable, even if it kills her. Meanwhile, Ted tries to win over the only segment of the Veridian population he didn't score well with - men over 50 - on the Season Finale of "Better Off Ted," WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"LOST" -- "The Variable" - On the 100th episode milestone for the series, the time of reckoning has begun when Daniel Faraday comes clean regarding what he knows about the island, on "Lost," WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring are Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert, Sonya Walger as Penelope "Penny" Widmore, Alan Dale as Charles Widmore, Francois Chau as Dr. Pierre Chang, Fionnula Flanagan as Eloise Hawking, Patrick Fischler as Phil, Eric Lange as Radzinsky, Sarah Farooqui as Theresa, Alice Evans as younger Eloise Hawking, Wendy Pearson as E.R. doctor, Todd Coolidge as paramedic, Peggy Anne Siegmund as caretaker, Jennifer Sojot as E.R. nurse, Spencer Allyn as young Daniel Faraday, Michael Dempsey as foreman, Maya Henssens as young girl, Ariston Green as workman, Marvin DeFreitas as young Charlie and Brad Berryhill as anxious guy.
"THE UNUSUALS" -- "42" - Cole receives a disturbing call from Lutz, who believes Walsh knows he killed Kowalski and is on his way to Walsh's diner. Lutz poses as a customer and strikes up a conversation with Walsh before pulling a gun and firing. Lutz escapes and Walsh discovers that one stray bullet went through the diner into his apartment, striking Beaumont. Cole fears for his future as Walsh and Casey begin to uncover pieces of his past relationship with Lutz. Meanwhile, Banks continues to be haunted by the number 42 while he and Delahoy investigate a string of bus robberies. One passenger, a clairvoyant, tries to help them catch the robber with her predictions, causing Banks to question whether fate can be stopped, on "The Unusuals," WEDNESDAY, APRIL 29 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"UGLY BETTY" - "Rabbit Test" - The Suarez family gets an invitation to meet Matt's famed billionaire dad, Calvin Hartley (Guest Star David Rasche), at his legendary Easter Egg hunt. While Betty sees this as a chance to get closer to Matt, Daniel seizes the opportunity to get Mode a bailout. Meanwhile Wilhelmina suspects that little William might not be her biological son, on ABC's "Ugly Betty," THURSDAY, APRIL 30 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"GREY'S ANATOMY" -- "No Good at Saying Sorry (One More Chance)" - As preparations continue for Meredith and Derek's wedding, Izzie receives a surprise hospital visit from her handful-of-a-mother, Robbie (Guest Star Emmy-Nominated Sharon Lawrence). Meanwhile, a newly sober Thatcher visits his daughters, Meredith and Lexie, in order to make amends, and the Chief and Meredith bitterly fight over a controversial medical case, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, APRIL 30 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"PRIVATE PRACTICE" -- "Yours, Mine & Ours" - As Violet chooses between Pete and Sheldon, a grief-stricken patient poses a danger to her; Addison faces her feelings for Noah as Morgan goes into labor; Dell has concerns for his daughter when a drugged-out Heather returns to town; and Naomi must decide if it's in her best interest to stay with Oceanside Wellness or start anew at Pacific Wellcare, on the Season Finale of "Private Practice," THURSDAY, APRIL 30 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest stars include Josh Hopkins as Noah, Amanda Detmer as Morgan, Amanda Foreman as Katie and Brian Benben as Sheldon.
"WIFE SWAP" -- "Schults/Smith" - Young parents who celebrate Halloween year-round swap lives with older parents who believe in strict, traditional values, on the Season Finale of "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, MAY 1 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.
"SUPERNANNY" -- "Krolikowski Family" -- Shannon and John both have high profile jobs at a large church, but their home is a far cry from a peaceful sanctuary. All four of their children fight with each other so viciously and so frequently that mom usually intervenes only if someone has drawn blood. That happens regularly because the kids bite, pinch, kick and pull hair for all they're worth. Mom's yelling isn't working, and Dad says he spanks to discipline, since he doesn't believe that timeouts or talking work. But in spite of the hardline tactics, neither parent has much authority. How will Jo deal with these challenges, especially with a dad resistant to her methods? The Season Finale of "Supernanny" airs FRIDAY, MAY 1 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" - "Cooper Family" - U.S. Army Combat Medic Jeff Cooper served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, earning numerous medals of honor, but also leaving him suffering with Gulf War Syndrome. Now confined to a wheelchair, Jeff suffers from Multiple Sclerosis and ongoing immune system disorders. Although constantly in pain, he continues to fight for his fellow servicemen, single handedly lobbying the State Senate to pass legislation to provide all veterans who served in this war with a special license plate of recognition. His heroism hit close to home when son Aaron was run over by a garbage truck as he was emptying the garbage on the street for pickup. Although Jeff kept his son alive performing vital lifesaving procedures, Aaron lost most of his right arm. While this family has endured many trials, they've remained upbeat and happy. But life in their ill equipped home is hard: It's a moisture-plagued double wide with poor electrical, a sinking roof and a rotting wheelchair ramp. While Ty and the designers, local builder Aronov Homes, Inc and hundreds of volunteers and workers are rebuilding their home, the Cooper family will go on vacation to Washington, DC. While there, the family meets former U.S. Secretary of State and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Colin L. Powell, who presents them with a gift. The "Cooper Family" airs on SUNDAY, MAY 3 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" -- "Bargaining" - Everyone knows how to bargain on ABC's "Desperate Housewives," SUNDAY, MAY 3 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET): Bree sinks to a new low to retain the best lawyer; Gaby's vanity is put to the test when she makes a deal with daughter Juanita; Lynette and Tom negotiate sex; Katherine deceives Mike to win his heart; Jackson walks back into Susan's life with a proposal; and an unexpected visit sends Dave to do some bargaining of his own. Guest stars Gale Harold as Jackson Braddock in his return to Wisteria Lane.
"BROTHERS & SISTERS" -- "Let's Call the Whole Thing Off" - When Kitty and Robert reach a crossroads in their marriage, she is forced to reflect on her father's (Guest Starring Tom Skerritt as William Walker) past indiscretions and decide what's most important in life. Meanwhile, Ryan makes a discovery about his mother's death and takes a huge leap in the wrong direction to vie for Rebecca's affection, on "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, MAY 3 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television
Network. Guest starring are Tom Skerritt as William Walker, Luke Grimes as Ryan Lafferty, Matt Letscher as Alec Tyler, Luc Charbonnier as Ben Tyler, Jay Knowlton as Grady and Toby Holguin as the bus driver.
"SURVIVING SUBURBIA" -- "If the Shoe Fits, Steal It" - Steve falsely accuses the mother of Courtney's classmate of stealing Courtney's shoes. When it's demonstrated that Courtney has her name on the bottom of her footwear, Steve is forced to prove he shows an interest in his kids. Meanwhile, Henry hides his SAT scores from his mom and turns to Steve for help, on "Surviving Suburbia" MONDAY, MAY 4 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest Stars include Melissa Peterman as Mrs. Muncie, Alexandra Krosney as Rhonda, Lyndsey Jolly as Jenna, Heather Paige Kent as Mrs. Spillman, and Isabella Murad as Lily Spillman.
"CASTLE" - "Little Girl Lost" - When a two-year-old girl is discovered missing from her home, Beckett is called in to assist with the investigation only to discover that the FBI agent in charge is, in fact, her ex-boyfriend. The two of them try to put aside their unresolved feelings as they race to find the girl, but when Castle inserts himself into the investigation, competition quickly heats up for Beckett's attention, on "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 4 (10:02-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest Stars include Bailey Chase as Will Sorenson, Judy Reyes as Theresa Candela, Julian Acosta as Alfred Candela, Francis Capra as Juan Restrepo and Todd Waring as Dave Ellers.
"ACCORDING TO JIM" - "The Cooler One" - Jim tries to be the coolest dad to impress Ruby's friends, but soon realizes she's just manipulating him to get away with privileges that Cheryl would never condone, on "According to Jim," TUESDAY, MAY 5 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"ACCORDING TO JIM" -- "Happy Jim" -- When Jim injures his back and is prescribed pain pills, the family takes advantage of an unusually mellow, docile Jim by informing him of the kids' and Andy's major mishaps, which would normally cause him to hit the roof, on "According to Jim," TUESDAY, MAY 5 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"CUPID" -- "Shipping Out" - Trevor accidentally finds a stack of love letters from Joe, a young soldier and one of Claire's patients, written from Iraq to Robin "Peaches" Peachtree, his unrequited high school love. Trevor wants to reunite them and, as part of his plan, convinces Claire to organize a Mardi Gras-themed party for her singles group. Trevor flies in Peaches, a Cajun caterer, from Louisiana to provide the party food. When Claire realizes what Trevor is doing, she tells him that he's setting the couple up for failure, since she knows a secret about Joe as to why he shouldn't be with Peaches. Meanwhile, Claire faces her own fear of "fast-dancing" in public at a high school dance Trevor has set up for Joe and Peaches' first date, on "Cupid," TUESDAY, MAY 5 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring are Patrick J. Adams as Joe, Aubrey Dollar as Robin, Ptolemy Slocum as history teacher, Blanchard Ryan as bosomy Ellie, Sean Andrew as security guard, Julie Craig as Tracy Flick type and Theo Stockman as DJ.
"SCRUBS" -- "My Finale" - J.D. plans to say goodbye to Sacred Heart, but will his final day stand up to his fantasy of scoring a hug from Dr. Cox or learning the Janitor's real name? Meanwhile, when random furnishings from Elliot's apartment turn up in J.D.'s place, it becomes clear that she finally plans to take their relationship to a whole new level, on the season finale of "Scrubs," WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring in the finale are Aloma Wright as Nurse Roberts, Robert Maschio as Todd, Sam Lloyd as Ted, Christa Miller as Jordan, Travis Schuldt as Keith, Eliza Coupe as Denise, Sonal Shah as Sunny, Colin Hay as himself, Amy Smart as Jamie, Andrew Miller as Jack, Elizabeth Bogush as Alex, Michael McDonald as Mr. Cropper, Nicole Sullivan as Jill Tracy, Phil Lewis as Hooch, Taran Killam as Jimmy, Tom Cavanaugh as Dan Dorian, Michael Learned as Mrs. Wilks, Josh Cooke as Van, Suanne Spoke as the woman, Judy Jean Berns as Mrs. Stonewater, Deonte Gordon as the orderly, Aseem Batra as Josephine, Bellamy Young as Dr. Miller, Christina Miles as Gloria, Meredith Roberts as Kathy, Jill Tracy as Elaine, Katie O'Rourke as the coffee nurse, Kit Pongetti as Lady, Lindsay Ravage as Slagathor, Stephanie D'Abruzzo as Patti, Kate Micucci as Stephanie, Aaron Ikeda as Rex, Charles Rahi Chun as Dr. Wen, Shaughn Buchholz as Cabbage, Jay Kenneth Johnson as Dr. Matthews, Joe Rose as Troy, Martin Klebba as Randall, Matt Winston as Dr. Steadman, Paul F. Perry as Randall, Michael Hobert as Lonnie, Mike Schwartz as Lloyd, Philip McNiven as Roy, Tyler Poelle as Boon, Robert Beckwith as Roy, Robert Clendenin as Dr. Zeltzer, George Miserlis as Crispin, Randall Winston as Leonard, Frank Cameron as Dr. Mickhead, Geoff Stevenson as Dr. Beardface, Manley Henry as Snoop Dawg attending and Katheryn Joosten as Mrs. Tanner.
"LOST" -- "Follow the Leader" - Jack and Kate find themselves at odds over the direction to take to save their fellow island survivors, Locke further solidifies his stance as leader of "The Others," and Sawyer and Juliet come under scrutiny from the Dharma Initiative, on "Lost," WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring are Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert, Francois Chau as Dr. Pierre Chang, Doug Hutchison as Horace Goodspeed, Patrick Fischler as Phil, Eric Lange as Radzinsky, David S. Lee as younger Charles Widmore, Alice Evans as younger Eloise Hawking, Leslie Ishii as Lara, Sebastian Siegel as Erik, Kevin Chapman as Mitch, Elisabeth Blake as Vanessa, William Makozak as Captain Bird, Victoria Goring as mother and Maya Henssens as young girl.
"THE UNUSUALS" - "The Circle Line" - Officer Lewis Powell fell off the wagon and woke up in an alley covered in blood with his off duty weapon missing. He tells Walsh he may have killed someone the night before during an alcohol-induced blackout and asks for his help. While Walsh and Shraeger scramble to put together the pieces of Lewis' missing night, Banks and Delahoy learn they are both victims of identity theft. When they investigate the murder of the man pretending to be Banks, Delahoy and Banks get a glimpse into the lives of the men who've stolen their identities and consider changing the way they live, on "The Unusuals," WEDNESDAY, MAY 6 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"UGLY BETTY" - "The Born Identity" - Just as it looks like billionaire Calvin Hartley (Guest Star David Rasche) is going to give Mode the bailout it needs so the magazine won't go under, baby William is kidnapped - and Betty is dragged into the ensuing drama. Meanwhile Archie (guest star Ralph Macchio) asks Hilda to be part of his latest political campaign, on ABC's "Ugly Betty," THURSDAY, MAY 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"GREY'S ANATOMY" -- "What a Difference a Day Makes" - Celebrating its 100th episode with an event no fan should miss! As Meredith, Derek and all of their friends prepare for the big wedding, a group of college students, injured in a car crash as they were heading to their graduation ceremony, is admitted to the ER. Meanwhile, Izzie fears the worst when she begins experiencing familiar symptoms, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, MAY 7 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"MICHAEL J. FOX: ADVENTURES OF AN INCURABLE OPTIMIST" -- Michael J. Fox, the former star of ABC's comedy hit "Spin City," makes an emotional return to the network as the acclaimed television and movie star investigates the nature of optimism. In 1998 Fox publicly revealed that he had been diagnosed with early onset Parkinson's disease and, two years later, made the difficult decision to walk away from a highly successful acting career with credits including the top-rated NBC comedy series "Family Ties" and the blockbuster "Back to the Future" movies. His triumphant spirit and positive attitude, considering his daily fight against the symptoms of a complex and incurable neurological syndrome, may make you wonder: How does he remain an "incurable optimist"? Fox travels across the globe to explore the enduring strength of hope. He talks to both famous and everyday people, venturing everywhere from the Far East to President Barack Obama's inspiring inauguration - all for a one-hour special, "Michael J. Fox: Adventures of an Incurable Optimist," airing THURSDAY, MAY 7 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS" -- Seven finalists compete for the last $100,000 prize of the season. Videos include a little boy with a Lego stuck on his tooth; a kid retrieving his basketball from an overly friendly Labrador; a fake lotto ticket prank; friends dumping their roommate in the trash; a little boy who names the presidents and their famous quotes; a woman after one-too-many shots of Novocain at her dentist's; and do-gooders saving a squirrel stuck in a tree, on "America's Funniest Home Videos," SUNDAY, MAY 10 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Tom Bergeron hosts.
"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" - "Cerda Family" -- Terri and Chuck Cerda's two daughters, Molly and Maggie, were diagnosed with Combined Immune Deficiency Disease (CIDD) at the age of three and are now living in a home that is threatening their lives. CIDD -- a disorder of the immune system similar to that suffered by David Vetter, the "boy in the bubble" -- means that a simple cold is a life threatening lung infection. Chuck Cerda works as a Homeland Security police officer, and his wife, Terri, has worked all her life in global relief, organizing search & rescue dog services during disasters such as the Mexico City earthquakes and the Colombia mudslides. She's also worked as a volunteer for a number of community organizations, including the fire department and ambulance service. Terri has used her experience as an advocate and mother of two ill children to found Artful Hearts, which gives painting murals to organizations, clinics and foundations that operate to support other children fighting life threatening medical conditions. She also works as a patient advocate for the Immune Deficiency Foundation, a position which has taken her to Washington, DC to meet with senators to influence laws governing medications that could save thousands of lives. In 2004 the Cerdas were fraudulently sold a home that was in poor condition while their oldest daughter lay in intensive care. After six floods, they were forced to make repairs themselves, but after a recent inspection, structural engineers advised them to gut the house or tear it down and rebuild. The water damage is extensive and sewage continues to back up into the home. A load bearing beam is also threatening the structural integrity of the house. "The Cerda Family" airs SUNDAY, MAY 10 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" -- "Marry Me a Little" - Every day is a masquerade on ABC's "Desperate Housewives," SUNDAY, MAY 10 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Bree goes to extremes to hide her true intentions from Orson; Susan and Jackson put on an act for the authorities; Lynette is shocked at the lengths Tom will go to in order to look younger; Katherine masks the truth from Mike, afraid to lose him; and Dave is on edge when he learns a key witness to his misdeeds surfaces. Guest starring Gale Harold as Jackson Braddock.
"BROTHERS & SISTERS" -- "Mexico" - When the Walker family reaches out to Tommy, they're devastated to find that he may be unwilling to accept their help. Meanwhile, Robert and Kitty reach a crossroads in their marriage that they may not be able to successfully navigate; Justin makes plans for the future, with or without Rebecca; and Saul makes a shocking admission about Ryan Lafferty's mother, on the Season Finale of "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, MAY 10 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring are Ken Olin as David Caplan, Luke Grimes as Ryan Lafferty, Mario Quinonez Jr. as Eduardo, Randee Heller as Karin, Brian Lloyd as Sven, Tom Lommel as Karl, Frank Gallegos as Pablo, Chaim Jeraffi as the retreat doctor and Martin Morales as the bartender.
"SURVIVING SUBURBIA" -- "Three End Tables" - When an end table ordered by the Pattersons is delivered to a neighbor's house by mistake, Anne encourages Steve to talk to the neighbor about it. But Steve, looking to avoid any possible conflict with the neighbor, comes up with a plan (even using a black eye) to dupe Anne into thinking he retrieved their table. Meanwhile, Henry jeopardizes Courtney's relationship with Jenna after he sends her over to break up a date, on "Surviving Suburbia," MONDAY, MAY 11 (9:32-10:02 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest stars include Lyndsey Jolly as Jenna and Steve Howey as Brock.
"CASTLE" -- "A Death in the Family" - Castle and Beckett investigate the murder of a missing plastic surgeon who is found dead in the front seat of his car after a week of being parked curbside. As they delve into the twisted world of surgery obsessed patients and secret operations, Castle experiences a fatherly rite of passage as Alexis attends her first prom. While looking into Beckett's past, Castle unearths information that could end his relationship with her forever, on the season finale of "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 11 (10:02-11:00 p.m. ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring Bailey Chase as Will Sorenson, Ion Overman as Candace Robinson, Robert Picardo as Clark Murray, Robert Costanzo as Sal Tenor, Delane Matthews as Jacey Goldberg, and Joe Marinelli as Jimmy Moran.
"ACCORDING TO JIM" - "King of the Nerds" - Jim uses his passion for sports to connect with son Kyle (Conner Rayburn). But sports-challenged Kyle identifies more with fellow sci-fi nerd Andy, forcing a reluctant Jim to dress up as a Cyclops at a sci-fi convention in order to win his son back, on "According to Jim," TUESDAY, MAY 12 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"ACCORDING TO JIM" -- "I Hate the High Road" -- Cheryl forces Jim to donate time to charity. His reluctance turns to elation when he's rewarded with a thousand-dollar check for his efforts. Cheryl insists he return the check, but Jim is itching to buy himself something frivolous with the money. And to really test Cheryl's integrity, he spends the money on a pricey designer handbag for her, on "According to Jim," TUESDAY, MAY 12 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
"CUPID" -- "Left of the Dial" - Trevor aims his Cupid love arrow toward Jack, a radio disc jockey with a love for classic rock n' roll, and one of his listeners, a single mom named Sarah. On the couple's first date, Jack and Trevor arrange a performance by Robert Harrison, the lead singer from the indie band Future Clouds and Radar. All is going well until Jack unintentionally disappoints Sarah's 13-year-old son, Adam; and Sarah discovers a secret about Jack. Also, Claire becomes smitten with a handsome statistician who is helping her create a test that matches people up based on their commonality - a concept she readily embraces -- on "Cupid," TUESDAY, MAY 12 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring are Mather Zickel as Jack, Alexie Gilmore as Sarah, Lucian Maisel as Adam, Tobias Campbell as Ben, Will Chase as Peter, Michael J. Burg as Scott Sussman, Kim Shaw as pop star, Walter Turney as Auggie, Kathy Deitch as D-line clerk, Robert Harrison as himself, Spencer Fox as music geek, Sean-Maichael Bowles as Aaron the PA and Chloe Cmarada as hot ditzy redhead.
"LOST" - "The Incident," Parts 1 & 2 - Jack's decision to put a plan in action in order to set things right on the island is met with some strong resistance by those close to him, and Locke assigns Ben a difficult task, on the two-hour season finale of "Lost," WEDNESDAY, MAY 13 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring are L. Scott Caldwell as Rose, Sam Anderson as Bernard, John Terry as Christian Shephard, Nestor Carbonell as Richard Alpert, Jeff Fahey as Frank Lapidus, Francois Chau as Dr. Pierre Chang, Patrick Fischler as Phil, Eric Lange as Radzinsky, Zuleikha Robinson as Ilana, Brad William Henke as Bram, Jon Gries as Roger Linus, Alice Evans as younger Eloise Hawking, Andrea Gabriel as Noor "Nadia" Abed Jaseem and Kevin Chapman as Mitch.
"UGLY BETTY" -- "In the Stars" - Betty teams with Matt and Marc for their all-important final YETI project, a photo shoot with Grammy winner Adele, but Matt's slacking off could jeopardize everything they've worked for. Meanwhile, love is everywhere as two wedding proposals are made . . . but only one couple will walk down the aisle; Claire and Wilhelmina square off over their roles at Mode, and Matt's mom (guest star Christine Baranski) asks Betty for a favor, on ABC's "Ugly Betty," THURSDAY, MAY 14 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring are Adele as herself, Christine Baranski as Victoria Hartley, Bernadette Peters as Jodie, Sarah Lafleur as Molly, Daniel Eric Gold as Matt, Lauren Velez as Elena, and Alec Mapa as Suzuki St. Pierre.
"GREY'S ANATOMY" - "Here's to the Future" / "Now or Never" - On the season finale, "Grey's Anatomy" concludes with a shocking two-hour telecast, THURSDAY, MAY 14 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the first part, entitled "Here's to the Future" (9:00-10:00 p.m.), Izzie spends time with a fellow cancer patient and contemplates whether or not to undergo a risky surgery, as Mark is ready to take his relationship with Lexie to the next level and a patient makes Owen reassess his place at Seattle Grace. In the second part, "Now or Never" (10:00-11:00 p.m.), George delivers stunning news to Bailey, sending shockwaves throughout the hospital, and Izzie's friends anxiously await her recovery from surgery. Meanwhile Bailey is surprisingly displeased after being accepted into the pediatric fellowship program, and the victim of a near-fatal traffic accident brings the talents of Seattle Grace's doctors together.
"AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS" -- "America's Funniest Home Videos" awards the Grand Prize for this year's best video in the 19th season finale, FRIDAY, MAY 15 (8:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Tom Bergeron hosts. This season's three $100,000 video winners will compete for the prize. The winner of this year's best video will receive the Grand Prize: a Membership in Disney Vacation Club! The winner will have the opportunity to enjoy a choice of vacations from hundreds of destinations around the world every year for 50 years! Imagine taking a family vacation at the Walt Disney World(r) Resort in Florida, a romantic cruise to the Caribbean with Disney Cruise Line(r), or enjoying expertly-guided family vacations with Adventures by Disney. You could see the Eiffel Tower in Paris one year, then be relaxing on the beautiful beaches of Hawaii the next. These are only a few of the choices this season's Grand Prize winner will have with this incredible prize.
"EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION" - "McFarland Family" -- Inspired by a librarian, Bernard McFarland learned the power of books and the weight of words at an early age. Though raised in an impoverished family, Bernard overcame his obstacles with his thirst for knowledge and graduated from college. He then joined the military, and afterwards returned to his hometown with his three sons. In a community where violence was on the rise and kids were dropping out of school, Bernard set out on a mission to change those statistics and redirect the minds of the children in his hometown with "Pack House 2000," a program dedicated to helping exercise the minds and expanding the dreams of these youngsters by forming reading groups and organizing field trips to libraries, museums and cultural events throughout the city despite Bernard having few resources. As Bernard leads these efforts to help children realize their full potential, the McFarland home has deteriorated to an unsafe dwelling where the three boys share one room. There are holes throughout the ceiling, walls and floors, water damage in the sub-flooring and rusting pipes, plumbing, corroded wiring and crumbling drywall. Now Ty and the designers will lead the "Home Edition pack" in fulfilling the wish of this inspiring father and his family who has helped so many capture their dreams of a greater education and better life. The Season Finale, with a special appearance and donation by the Indiana Pacers, airs on SUNDAY, MAY 17 (7:00-8:00 & 8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES" - "Everybody Says Don't" / "If It's Only in Your Head" -- ABC concludes the season of "Desperate Housewives" in a highly anticipated two-hour telecast, SUNDAY, MAY 17 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. In the first hour, entitled "Everybody Says Don't" (9:00-10:00 p.m.), Gaby runs into an old acquaintance who's lost everything, Lynette is upset with Tom for his latest "bright idea," Orson threatens to blackmail Bree, and Susan accepts Dave's "friendly" gesture. The season's mystery and suspense come to a shocking end in the second hour, "If It's Only in Your Head" (10:00-11:00 p.m.), as Lynette adapts to Tom's decision to go back to school, Orson takes a beating that Bree cannot comprehend, Gaby's niece moves to Wisteria Lane, and Susan and MJ's lives are in grave danger at the hands of Dave.
"THE BACHELORETTE" - SPECIAL TWO-HOUR SEASON PREMIERE MONDAY, MAY 18 (9:02-11:00 p.m.) -- Jillian Harris, the intelligent, independent, passionate woman who fell just short of her goal - hoping that Jason Mesnick could be her best friend, soul mate and future husband on the just completed hit series of "The Bachelor" - will have her own opportunity to find true love, starring in the highly anticipated fifth edition of "The Bachelorette." An instant fan favorite on "The Bachelor," Jillian, 29, a restaurant interior designer, will get to choose from among a group of the country's most eligible bachelors and is confident that she can find the love of her life on the series. The new season will feature innovative twists, spectacular locations and special guest stars. Chris Harrison hosts.
"The Bachelorette" will regularly air Monday nights from 8:00-10:00 p.m.
"DANCING WITH THE STARS" - SEASON FINALE TUESDAY, MAY 19 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.
"UGLY BETTY" - TWO HOUR SEASON FINALE, "Curveball" and "The Fall Issue," airing back to back. "Curveball" - Just as Betty agrees to move in with Matt, Henry (Guest Star Christopher Gorham) pays a visit to NYC, forcing Betty to admit she still has feelings for her former fiance. Meanwhile, Betty and Marc wait to see if their YETI editor interviews resulted in actual jobs; Daniel's transformation from playboy to devoted husband makes him a media darling, and Wilhelmina cozies up to Victoria Hartley to find out just what kind of connection Claire Meade has to Cal Hartley, on "Ugly Betty," THURSDAY, MAY 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring in "Curveball" are Christine Baranski as Victoria Hartley, David Rasche as Cal Hartley, Bernadette Peters as Jodie, Sarah Lafleur as Molly, Daniel Eric Gold as Matt, Joy Behar as Herself, Elisabeth Hasselbeck as herself and Alec Mapa as Suzuki St. Pierre.
"The Fall Issue" - The sudden death of a Mode editor leaves Betty and Marc competing for the same job. Meanwhile, Wilhelmina demands that Claire tend her resignation at a big awards ceremony... or she'll reveal Claire's dark secret to Cal Hartley; Matt lets his jealousy over Henry get the best of him, and Justin nervously waits to see if he got into performing arts school, on "Ugly Betty," THURSDAY, MAY 21 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. Guest starring in "The Fall Issue" are Christine Baranski as Victoria Hartley, David Rasche as Cal Hartley, Sarah Lafleur as Molly, Daniel Eric Gold as Matt, Ralph Macchio as Archie Rodriguez, Rachel Dratch as Penny and Mindy Meadows, and Alec Mapa as Suzuki St. Pierre.
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