‘CSI’ sticks with tried-and-true format
The November sweeps are upon us. Prepare to be entertained! Or maybe not.
Over the next month, the networks will pull out the stops to increase ratings share, an all-important measure in determining the money they can charge to air commercials.
Thursday nights are the most crucial to both networks and advertisers because they soften up consumers just before the weekend, when, it is presumed, we are unconstrained from the confines of work and left free to spend with wild abandon. And since most major motion pictures open on Friday night, Thursday is a perfect night to advertise new movies.
As has been the case for some time now, Thursday nights belong to CBS. Americans can’t get enough “CSI” (9 p.m., CBS). In fact last week, CBS aired a repeat of the mortuary mystery, and that was the number one broadcast of the week.
With popularity like that, you don’t need gimmicks or stunt-casting, so look for run-of-the mill morbidity on “CSI” tonight, when the reasons behind a woman’s death, first reported to be a suicide, turn out to be a little more sinister.
The sweeps stunts begin in earnest on “Without a Trace” (10 p.m., CBS) when Jack and Danny travel to Mexico to investigate the case of an American tourist abducted in front of his wife (Alex Kingston). Savvy viewers know that Kingston used to star as Dr. Elizabeth Corday on NBC’s “ER.” But will they care?
Is this just a case of one network (CBS) thumbing its nose at another (NBC) and hoping to steal viewers from its formerly top-rated rival? In case you have any doubt, tonight’s episode is directed by Paul McCrane, who played Dr. Robert Romano on “ER.”
A more traditional sweeps reunion takes place on “Smallville” (8 p.m., WB) when Tom Wopat guest-stars as Jonathan’s (John Schneider) oldest friend. Wopat and Schneider were, of course, stars of the iconic series “The Dukes of Hazzard.”
The WB can only hope this “Dukes” reunion will generate more buzz than the dim-witted “Dukes” remake movie that hit multiplexes this past summer but had a theatrical run shorter than Daisy Duke’s hot pants.
While some networks try to attract sweeps audiences to their popular shows, others dump their lineup entirely. ABC replaces the low-rated “Alias” and “Night Stalker” with a special airing of the 2003 movie “Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl” (8 p.m., ABC, TV). Based on a theme park ride, this swashbuckling fantasy made star Johnny Depp the most popular movie star of the year. It was also produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, the hardest-working man in show business.
In addition to his many loud and expensive movies, Bruckheimer has producer credits for hours of prime-time entertainment, including all three “CSI” shows, “Cold Case,” “The Amazing Race” and “Close to Home” on CBS and “E-Ring” on NBC. While clearly a dominant force on the big and small screen; he’s had his share of misfires.
Both “Skin” (Fox, 2003) and “Just Legal” (WB, 2005) had the dubious distinction of being the first shows canceled in their respective seasons.
But weep not for Bruckheimer; he’s currently filming two sequels to “Pirates of the Caribbean” to hit movie theaters in 2006 and 2007.
Other highlights
Jeff Probst hosts “Survivor: Guatemala” (8 p.m., CBS).
Sandy supports Ryan’s new move on “The O.C.” (8 p.m., Fox).
Julius and Rochelle hire a baby sitter on “Everybody Hates Chris” (8 p.m., UPN).
Jason Biggs guest-stars on “Will & Grace” (8:30 p.m., NBC).
Having fired four wannabes last week, Donald Trump returns to “The Apprentice” (9 p.m., NBC).
Wedding bells on “Reunion” (9 p.m., Fox).
Danny Glover guest-stars on “ER” (10 p.m., NBC).
Cult choice
Poppy Montgomery stars as a jealous wife in the 2005 true-crime drama “Murder in the Hamptons” (9 p.m., Lifetime).
Series notes
Playing cards on television on “Joey” (8 p.m., NBC) … Clea loosens up on “Love, Inc.” (8:30 p.m., UPN) … Rita defects on “Eve” (9 p.m., UPN) … Nina suggests counseling for Andy and Jake on “Everwood” (9 p.m., WB) … Inappropriate behavior on “Cuts” (9:30 p.m., UPN).