February Formula It’s Sweeps Month And The Networks Are Offering Plenty Of Shows For Our Viewing Pleasure

Something appealing, something appalling. Something for everyone - it’s the February sweeps bonanza.

From a lavish adaptation of “Gulliver’s Travels” to the return of “The Thorn Birds” to irresistibly schlocky TV movies like “Co-Ed Call Girl,” the broadcast networks are intent on chasing away our winter blahs.

Oh, and they also have some interest in snaring the biggest possible audiences to help local stations set the highest possible advertising rates.

To that end - and because they seek to advance civilization as we know it - NBC, ABC, CBS and Fox are heaping magic, mayhem and miniseries on us. They’re even spiffing up regular series with sly come-ons, like “Law & Order” and “Homicide” crossover episodes and big-name guest stars.

Here are highlights:

Miniseries

“Gulliver’s Travels,” NBC, 9-11 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Feb. 4-5. Ted Danson stars in this adaptation of Jonathan Swift’s satirical tale of a wanderer who finds extraordinary lands. Mary Steenburgen and an international cast co-star.

“The Thorn Birds: The Missing Years,” CBS, 9-11 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11, and Tuesday, Feb. 13. Richard Chamberlain returns as Father Ralph de Bricassart and Amanda Donohoe plays Meggie O’Neal in a “critical period” omitted from the 1983 miniseries based on the Colleen McCullough novel.

“Seduced by Madness: The Diane Borchardt Story,” NBC, 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday, Feb. 25-26. Ann-Margret stars in a fact-based drama about an abusive woman who manipulates three students into committing murder.

“Gone in the Night,” CBS, 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25 and Tuesday, Feb. 27. Shannen Doherty, Edward Asner, Dixie Carter and Kevin Dillon star in this drama based on the ordeal of a Chicago family whose father is accused of his young daughter’s murder.

Movies

“The Boys Next Door,” CBS, 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 4. A “Hallmark Hall of Fame” adaptation of Tom Griffin’s play about four developmentally disabled men trying to make it in the world. With Nathan Lane, Tony Goldwyn, Robert Sean Leonard, Michael Jeter, Courtney B. Vance and Mare Winningham.

“Co-Ed Call Girl,” CBS, 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6. Tori Spelling stars as Joanna, a college student seduced into the upscale call girl life. Suggested by actual events, so voyeurism is permitted.

“If Looks Could Kill,” Fox, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6. Antonio Sabato Jr. plays a hustler who orchestrates a million-dollar murder. “America’s Most Wanted” host John Walsh co-stars, relating the manhunt for the killer.

“In the Line of Duty: Smoke Jumpers,” NBC, 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11. Adam Baldwin and Lindsay Frost star in the story of a mountain man who risks his life and marriage fighting fires.

“Robin Cook’s Terminal,” NBC, 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12. Doug Savant, Nia Peeples and Michael Ironside are featured in this thriller about drug company corruption based on Cook’s novel.

“A Brother’s Promise,” CBS, 9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14. Matt Keeslar stars as Olympic speed skater Dan Jansen in his quest to overcome personal tragedy, the death of his sister.

“A Case for Life,” ABC, 9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 18. Valerie Bertinelli and Mel Harris portray sisters whose close relationship is tested by the divisive issue of abortion.

“Generation X,” Fox, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20. Matt Frewer and Finola Hughes star in a science fiction adventure based on the Marvel comic book X-MEN.

Specials

“Lance Burton: Master Magician,” NBC, 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5. Elephants disappear, fake horses turn real and women levitate with help from Burton, a World Championship of Magic winner.

“The Greatest Shows You Never Saw,” CBS, 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7. Faith Ford hosts a look at moments from television pilots that never made it to the air, including “Madame Sin” with Bette Davis.

“National Geographic Special: Cyclone!” NBC, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10. Daring scientists capture some of the earth’s fastest winds on film as they track a killer storm.

“The World’s Funniest Hypnotist,” ABC, 9 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19. Paul McKenna is helped by Gena Lee Nolin (“Baywatch”), Chuck Woolery and Richard Roundtree as McKenna hypnotizes audience members.

“The Late Show with David Letterman Primetime Video Special II,” CBS, 10 p.m. Monday, Feb. 19. Letterman for those who can’t stay up late anymore.

“Wynonna: revelations,” CBS, 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23. The singer’s recent wedding ceremony, songs from her new “revelations” album and chats with her mom Naomi and sister Ashley are featured.

“Neil Diamond, Under a Tennessee Moon,” ABC, 10 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. The singer showcases his new album of original songs in a performance taped at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

“Skate International Champions Series,” Fox, 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24. Top contenders in the competition in Paris include the United States’ Michelle Kwan and Todd Eldredge and Canada’s Josee Chouinard and Elvis Stojko.

“The Mysterious Origins of Man,” NBC, 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. Charlton Heston hosts this examination of new information about prehistoric man.

“Goosebumps’ Night in Terror Tower,” Fox, 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 25. In a primetime episode of the children’s series, a vacationing family is rattled by strange sounds and a mysterious hooded figure.

Special visitors

“Living Single,” Fox, 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 1. Father and son Mario and Melvin Van Peebles get involved in a romantic triangle with Regine (Kim Fields Freeman).

“Roseanne,” ABC, 8 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6. Shelley Winters, as Nana Mary, pays a visit to Roseanne and family.

“Law & Order,” NBC, 10 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, and “Homicide,” 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9. A gas attack in a New York subway station links the series in this two-part, crossover episode.

“New York Undercover,” Fox, 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8. Singer Luther Vandross visits the police drama.

“Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” ABC, 8 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11. Tony Curtis guest-stars; Lois and her superhero are set to be wed in a pre-Valentine’s Day ceremony.

“Home Improvement,” ABC, 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13. Columbia space shuttle astronauts Ken Bowersox, Catherine Coleman, Fred Leslie, Al Sacco and Kathryn Thornton appear on “Tool Time” with footage of their trip.

“Frasier,” NBC, 9 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 13. Shelley Long reprises her “Cheers” role as Diane Chambers, the woman who once jilted Frasier (Kelsey Grammer).

“Friends,” NBC, 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15. Tom Selleck guests as Monica’s (Courteney Cox) middle-aged love interest.

“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman,” CBS, Saturday, Feb. 17. It’s a beautiful day in the Wild West as Fred Rogers of “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood,” playing a reverend, makes his first guest appearance on a TV series.