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 By Kerri Cushna
Ah, May Sweeps. One of my favorite times of the television season, when the networks throw together their ‘A' material, amp it up, add a few HUGE guest stars and broadcast the final product in an effort to improve their Nielsen Ratings.
May Sweeps starts April 29th and runs through May 26th and runs directly into Upfronts Week, where the Networks determine which shows are going to stay and which will go, based on their ratings. Usually, the Networks are into making their frontrunners flashy and bold to outdo the other networks, while throwing in season finales sprinkled with suspense
If you haven't seen it already, NBC really brought the house down with Betty White as the host of SNL on Saturday, May 8. I was a little surprised to see NBC bring out the big guns so early simply because the rest of their lineup is a little weak. The exception of this hurdle is Thursday night's new hit, Community. Community really started off things the right way, especially being a new show this season. Each episode has been better than the one before, and has already been renewed, so they don't have to worry about the chopping block just yet. The Office has been a bit lacking this season, but stay tuned to see what big things are in store.
NBC also has a few other things up their sleeve with Rob Lowe on Parks & Recreation. And expect a return from Scott Bakula on Chuck for the season finale.
FOX also started out strong with House and karaoke night, and kept the fun going with Olivia Newton-John and Molly Shannon on Glee. But hold on to your hats, because the one and only Neil Patrick Harris will have his own storyline, and was directed by none other than the brilliant Joss Whedon. And that's not the only thing FOX has to offer this Sweeps. It is rumored that Leonard Nimoy will soon retire from acting, so his role on Fringe may be the last.
It seems like FOX is the heavy hitter this year, because Bones is looking at another return of ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons. I've always loved Bones, but Billy Gibbons makes an awesome episode even better.
I haven't really been vibing with the CW since the WB/UPN debacle, but I hear the season finales are going to be amazing and full of drama with Gossip Girl, One Tree Hill and 90210. Also, look for the Smallville season finale.
CBS is looking good with Chuck Lorre (creator) powerhouses Big Bang Theory and Two and a Half Men. Big Bang started off sweeps with a big bang with their "separated parent" outlook on the relationships of the main characters. However, with each passing episode, a former favorite of mine, How I Met Your Mother, has just become laughably bad. And I love Neil Patrick Harris.
And then there's ABC with the end of Lost. Which is going to be huge. Bigger than huge. And if you're a Lost fan, you know exactly what I'm talking about.
But what will I be watching this Sweeps? That's easy. All my favorites - Glee, House, Bones, Grey's Anatomy, How I Met Your Mother, Big Bang Theory, Two and a Half Men, Community, Parenthood, Private Practice, and maybe Fringe.
And I'm more than looking forward to Upfronts week (May 16-22) to see who will go into the boardroom, who will get put on the chopping block, and who will be voted off the island.
What will YOU be watching this season? |
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