By Terry Tang Daily Bruin Senior Staff It’s crunch time
for prime time. With the summer hiatus just on the horizon, May
sweeps represents the last-ditch attempt to lure loyal viewers to
watch their favorite characters either tie up loose ends, or leave
them with cliffhangers. Before the flood of summer reruns and
specials rules the channels, take a look at some shows that are
returning and some that are bidding farewell.
“The Simpsons” Sundays, 8 p.m. (FOX) Still going
strong in its 11th year, “The Simpsons” continues to be
a powerhouse draw for FOX. The season finale is a hilarious spoof
of VH1’s “Behind the Music.” Springfield’s
most colorful characters chat about the ups and downs of fame and
fortune. (May 21)
“Malcolm In the Middle” Sundays, 8:30 p.m. (FOX)
While the family goes frolicking at a water amusement park, Dewey
stays at home with a curmudgeonly, stern baby-sitter (Bea Arthur).
Yikes! (May 21)
“The X-Files” Sundays, 9 p.m. (FOX) In the season
finale (luckily not series finale), Agent Mulder (David Duchovny)
and Scully (Gillian Anderson) revisit the case that first drew the
two agents together seven years ago. Their investigation, however,
may end up hurting their relationship. (May 21)
“Ally McBeal” Mondays, 9 p.m. (FOX) Looks like Vonda
Shepard won’t be the sole vocalist in the closing episode of
“Ally’s” third season. The show takes its love
for music a step further with the entire cast belting out tunes by
composer Randy Newman. Ally’s parents (guest stars Jill
Clayburgh and James Naughton) come for a visit. Meanwhile,
it’s the Biscuit’s birthday and Nelle mulls over her
regrets. Newman makes an appearance as well. (May 22)
“Will & Grace” Tuesdays, 9 p.m. (NBC) The
sarcastic zingers and fur are sure to fly when
“Dynasty” diva Joan Collins pops up on the sophomore
sitcom. When Grace (Debra Messing) meets her interior designer idol
(Collins), she discovers her hero also to be her competition for a
client. As it turns out, Karen (Megan Mullally) has already crossed
paths with the praised decorator. Let the catfight begin! (May
16)
“Just Shoot Me” Tuesdays, 9 p.m. (NBC) In
tonight’s season finale, Finch (David Spade) goes undercover
at a high school for a Blush article. A cheerleader (guest star
Melissa Joan Hart) develops a crush on him and asks the impish
secretary to the prom. Meanwhile, Nina (Wendie Malick) tries a new
diet ““ celibacy.
“Beverly Hills 90210″ Wednesdays, 8 p.m. (FOX) At
long last, Aaron Spelling’s sudsy soap which first thrust
teen angst into the ’90s spotlight is opening the doors of
the Walsh house and the Peach Pit for the last time. Though
currently huffing and puffing in its tenth and final season,
“90210” will be remembered as the quintessential
predecessor of “Dawson’s Creek” and “Party
of Five” as well as for putting adolescent audiences on the
map. In a two-hour send-off, on-and-off lovebirds David (Brian
Austin Green) and Donna (Tori Spelling) tie the knot. Kelly (Jennie
Garth) falls into Dylan’s (Luke Perry) arms. Also, look for
appearances by alumni Tiffani Amber Thiessen (Valerie), Gabrielle
Carteris (Andrea) and Jason Priestley (Brandon). (May 17)
“Dawson’s Creek” Wednesdays, 8 p.m. (WB) As
the junior prom looms upon Capeside, Dawson (James Van Der Beek)
decides to organize an “anti-prom” where everyone can
come as they want. Though still torn between Dawson and Pacey
(Joshua Jackson), Joey (Katie Holmes) decides to go with Dawson.
Jack (Kerr Smith) wants to take Ethan as his date. And Jen
(Michelle Williams) and Henry (Michael Pitt) contemplate having sex
prom night. (May 17) In the season-ender, the gang begins planning
for summer vacation. While Dawson readies for his parents’
second walk down the aisle, Pacey prepares his boat “True
Love” for a voyage along the coast of the Florida Keys. Joey
finally chooses between her two suitors. (May 24)
“Felicity” Wednesdays, 9 p.m. (WB) Far from last
year’s agonizing Ben-or-Noel decision, the only cliffhanger
here is whether Keri Russell’s trademark tresses will grow
back in time for fall. In its second season-closer, Felicity
(Russell) must decide whether to spend the summer in California
with Ben (Scott Speedman) or take a prestigious internship in New
York. Sean (Greg Gunberg) goes after an ill-tempered Meghan (Amanda
Foreman). Javier (Ian Gomez) marries his longtime squeeze, Samuel.
(May 24)
“Friends” Thursdays, 8 p.m. (NBC) Similar to last
year’s season finale, the sounds of wedding bells appear to
be in the air. With the ring in his pocket, Chandler (Matthew
Perry) plans to propose to Monica (Courteney Cox Arquette) who
thinks he’s still the same commitment-phobic guy. But
Chandler’s romantic plans are unexpectedly interrupted with
the return of Monica’s ex-flame, Richard (guest star Tom
Selleck). Before the episode’s end, Monica will choose
between the two men. Meanwhile, Rachel (Jennifer Aniston) and
Phoebe (Lisa Kudrow) draw names out of a hat to decide who gets to
marry Ross (David Schwimmer) and Joey (Matt LeBlanc) in case both
end up old maids. (May 18)
“Frasier” Thursdays, 9 p.m. (NBC) In keeping with
Must-See-TV’s matrimonial madness, Daphne (Jane Leeves) gets
more pre-wedding jitters as her big day with fiance Donny (Saul
Rubinek) approaches. Unable to ignore her growing feelings for an
unsuspecting Niles (David Hyde Pierce), she confides in Frasier
(Kelsey Grammer). The good doctor tries to get his brother and
Daphne to talk but Niles’ stunning revelation about
girlfriend Mel (Jane Adams) changes things. Viewers will have to
tune in to see if Niles’ six-year-old infatuation with Daphne
finally reaches a resolution. Also, romance erupts between Roz
(Peri Gilpin) and Daphne’s free-loading brother, Simon (guest
star Anthony LaPaglia). (May 18)
“Charmed” Thursdays, 9 p.m. (WB) Supposedly, the
reason Shannen Doherty (Prue) couldn’t make an appearance on
the series finale of “Beverly Hills 90210″ was because
of her double duties for the season finale of this show. The
bewitching actor went before and behind the camera as director for
the first time. The three Halliwell sisters encounter a
triple-wish-granting genie (guest star French Stewart). Besides the
expected spell-binding mayhem, Doherty promises lots of tricky
camera shots.
“ER” Thursdays, 10 p.m. (NBC) As the medical drama
winds down its sixth season, the personal and professional problems
of the ER’s staff still don’t get any easier. Benton
(Eriq La Salle) and Kovach (Goran Visnjic) attend to the wounded at
the scene of a school shooting. But the two docs argue about
whether to treat a victim or the shooter first. Also, Carter (Noah
Wyle) continues on an emotional downward spiral, giving his
colleagues an ultimatum and getting into an altercation with
Benton. Having just been renewed by the network through 2004,
“ER” will hopefully return next season well-rested and
creatively resuscitated. With the exit of Julianna Margulies (nurse
Carol Hathaway) and way too many new cast members with too little
to do, the show is in need of some TLC, stat. (May 18) Information
compiled from network press statements.