Let The Sweeps Begin

May is one of four "sweeps" months in television. It is the time of year when even the smallest of television markets get measured for the numbers and types of viewers. As a result, networks and local stations tend to pull out all the stops in order to attract as many viewers as possible.

ABC is taking the biggest financial gamble of the month with their three-part mini-series "Dinotopia." Based on the best-selling series of fantasy books by James Gurney, "Dinotopia" is a world in which people and dinosaurs exist together. With a reported $80 million budget, "Dinotopia" will air as part of a special "Wonderful World of Disney" on May 12, 13 and 14. More on this mini-series in an upcoming column.

Other stunt programming in May include cast reunions of "The Monkees," "St. Elsewhere," "The A-Team," "Silver Spoons" and "Star Trek" on episodes of the NBC game show "The Weakest Link."

"Fraiser" will feature a mini-reunion of several cast members from "Cheers," the series on which the Frasier Crane character originated. Members of the cast of "St. Elsewhere" turn up on a special episode of the NBC series "Scrubs."

NBC's "Must See TV" ends their season of first-run episodes of new shows on May 16 with hour long season finales of "Friends," "Will & Grace" and "ER."

In addition to "Dinotopia," ABC plans reunion specials for "American Bandstand," "Laverne & Shirley," and "That's Incredible."

The WB features several season enders including the marriage of Matt and Sarah from "7th Heaven" on The WB. Despite getting little press coverage, "7th Heaven" remains the highest rated series on "The WB." It proves that people will watch family-oriented programming if it is done well.

Thanks to the success of their "Carol Burnett Show" reunion, CBS is featuring reunion shows of "The Honeymooners" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show."

FOX is serving up the final episode of "Ally McBeal" (cancelled this week) and "The X-Files." The X-Files two-hour finale features the return of David Ducovny as Agent Muldur. Don't count on the series wrapping up all of the lose ends, however. Another "X-Files" feature film is in the works.

The toughest night for viewers during this ratings period will be May 19. ABC is serving up the two-hour season finale of "The Practice." CBS is showing the concluding episode of Survivor: Marquesas." FOX is broadcasting the series finale of "The X-Files." NBC is featuring a reunion/clip show with most of the cast of his NBC series "The Cosby Show."

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