Air
Waves
by Laura Nachman
Philadelphia Metro
November 3, 2005
Tonight
is the first night of sweeps for the television networks.
Though a few major markets (including Philadelphia) are using the new
Local People Meters method to measure ratings on a continuous basis, on the
national level, sweeps still counts, so there will be plenty of specials and
guest stars on regular series (with no reruns!) this month.
For
top-rated CBS, “Category 7: The
End of the World” with over-the-top cast Randy Quaid, Shannon Doherty, Gina
Gershon, Tom Skerrit, Robert Wagner, Swoosie Kurtz, and James Brolin, airs
November 6 and 13.
David
Caruso can emote in two states as “CSI: Miami’ and “CSI: New York”
will do cross-over episodes on November 7 and 9.
“I
Walk the Line: A Night for Johnny
Cash” airs November 16 with Sheryl Crow, Foo Fighters, Kid Rock, U2, and
more. The bio-picture about Cash
with Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon (which looks great) hits theatres
later in the month.
For
second-place ABC, which is in a virtual tie with CBS for the coveted 18-49
demographic, it is airing the “American Music Awards” November 22,
“Kenny Chesney: Somewhere in
the Sun,”(alternate title – “Anywhere Where Renee Zellweger Is Not”),
on November 23, and “Barbara Walters Presents:
The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2005” on November 29.
Johnny
Depp’s most popular film, “Pirates of the Caribbean:
The Curse of the Black Pearl” airs tonight, and ABC will be sure to
promote “Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo as one of the stars of “Old
School,” on November 12. Pompeo
played the love interest of Luke Wilson in the funny film with Will Ferrell
and Vince Vaughn.
For
struggling NBC, its big sweeps special is the remake of “The Poseidon
Adventure” with Alec Baldwin. A sinking ship should be a walk in the park
compared to the stories we’re hearing about Alec’s battles with ex-wife
Kim Basinger.
For
Fox, Pamela Anderson’s series “Stacked” premieres November 9.
The movies “Anger Management,” with Adam Sandler and Jack
Nicholson, “Daddy Day Care” with Eddie Murphy, and “Star Wars:
Episode II – Attack of the Clones” air this month.
Charlize
Theron guest stars on “Arrested Development” November 7 and 14, and Bruce
Willis appears on “That 70’s Show” November 16.
Dennis Rodman and Terry Bradshaw appear on “The Simpsons” November
6 and Lily Tomlin visits Springfield on November 27.
For
WB, Tom Wopat reunites with his “Dukes of Hazzard” co-star John Schneider
on “Smallville” tonight.