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.

 

On UPN, there will be an “All-Star Salute to Patti LaBelle” November 8 and “The Vibe Awards” are November 15.