Press Release: Discovery Channel's 2010-2011 Programming

DISCOVERY CHANNEL’S 2010-11 UPFRONT SLATE IS FILLED WITH EPIC SPECIALS, FAVORITE LONG-RUN SERIES AND EXCITING NEW TALENT
April 8, 2010


(New York, NY) - Discovery Channel announced an ambitious, captivating upfront slate with specials and series that guarantee its brand promise and illuminate a world of fascinating people and wondrous places. The network's slate combines blockbuster natural history programming, returning favorites and mold breaking television special events.

"Discovery Channel isn't just our name, it's what we do everyday. With only the highest quality production values, the most compelling storytellers in the business and an unending yen for adventure and exploration, Discovery truly delivers like no one else in the nonfiction world," said W. Clark Bunting, president and general manager, Discovery Channel.

The highlights of Discovery Channel's 2010-11 upfront schedule include the following:

SPECIALS

CURIOSITY: THE QUESTIONS OF LIFE

From the visionary mind of John Hendricks, Discovery's iconic founder, comes CURIOSITY, a landmark television event. It is the most ambitious project ever undertaken by Discovery Channel and one that Hendricks is personally guiding. Can we ask and answer the most fundamental questions facing the world today? The questions that go to the very heart of our life and our world... Are we alone in the universe? Can we colonize other planets? Is time travel possible? Can we live forever, and do we want to? CURIOSITY will span five years with 60 episodes and premiere worldwide on Discovery Channel with companion content across Science Channel, HD Theater, Planet Green, and our international networks. Each episode of CURIOSITY will focus on a single enduring question in science, civilization, technology and the human experience. Beyond television, CURIOSITY will offer extensive, multiplatform educational opportunities through partnerships with Experius Academy, Discovery Education, and top colleges and universities. The online experience will include exclusive and robust "deep-dive material" and a campaign of smaller "curiosity bites" will air across our network websites.

HUMAN PLANET

An epic yet intimate celebration of the incredible diversity of human life on the planet we call home. Wherever people live traditional lives, our cameras capture, for the very first time, practices that go back millennia. In the spectacular HD quality pioneered by LIFE and PLANET EARTH, these are ways of life that will shock, intrigue and inspire. Each episode set in a different, amazing environment: Arctic, Rivers, Mountains, Ocean, Jungles, Grasslands, Desert and Urban. As much action movie as anthropology, this is people at their most daring and innovative.




EARTH FROM SPACE

Experience the Earth you can't see. Discovery Channel partners with NASA for a truly unique and compelling television experience. EARTH FROM SPACE will use cutting-edge satellite data to show for the first time what exists beyond the visible spectrum: Earth as a living organism. Its satellite technology so exacting, one could zero in from space and read a newspaper on the Earth's surface. Observe Earth actively adapting and self-regulating to sustain life. See how lightning created the first life, stand inside a hurricane as it forms, see how dust in the Sahara creates rainstorms in the Amazon, and how recent earthquakes altered the spinning of the planet and shortened the length of a day.

REIGN OF THE DINOSAURS

Avatar meets Jurassic Park as the latest paleontological research meets Hollywood story telling. Discovery Channel teams with the top creative talent from Disney and Pixar to create an unparalleled television event. New creatures abound in a wondrous new world - giant dinos with Freddy Krueger style clawed hands, pygmy T-rex, frogs so big they can eat dinosaurs. Learn the latest in understanding of dinosaur behaviors with exotic mating dances, the inner workings of the T-rex's nuclear family, dinosaurs drunk on fermenting fruit, dinosaurs in apocalyptic events, the underwater birthing of mosasaurs, and prehistory's angriest mammals. A daring and provocative new chapter in television, REIGN OF THE DINOSAURS is bound to be the benchmark for all future dinosaur natural history programming.

THE RISING: REBUILIDNG GROUND ZERO

From executive producer Steven Spielberg, comes the definitive special series chronicling the historic reconstruction of Ground Zero. This is the story of the heroic quest of ordinary people - engineers, construction workers, city planners, architects - on an extraordinary journey of passion and purpose. Faced with seemingly impossible problems, both emotionally and scientifically, they get up every time they are knocked down, driven by their mission to heal themselves and their country. Construction of Ground Zero links a special cross section of workers, surviving family members, elected officials and first responders. They share a bond and now a compelling purpose to see the greatest city on earth once again rise like a phoenix. THE RISING: REBUILDING GROUND ZERO is truly a story of human and technical feats.

ENGINEERING THE IMPOSSIBLE

What did the most iconic buildings in history originally look like? How were they built? Who built them and why? A select team of specialists is on a mission to find clues and they're using a high-tech tool kit to discover how these legendary structures could have possibly been built. Travelling to some of the world's most exciting ancient sites they'll capture and instantly process information out on location, finally uncovering the truth behind some of the ancient world's most enduring mysteries. These are the great buildings of the world's pioneering ancient civilizations. From Egypt's Giza plateau with its famous landmarks the Pyramids and Sphinx to the great temples of Rome to magnificent Incan cities, see the world as never before going back in time in a thrilling time machine of engineering innovation.

SHARK WEEK

It's the ultimate rite of summer, the perennial crowd pleaser, the ratings juggernaut that roars onto land each and every year. It's SHARK WEEK, now in its 23rd nailing-biting year. From the ocean depths they return, slashing through a sea of competition to rack up new ratings successes year after year. Great whites. Hammerheads. Whale sharks. This consistent audience pleaser never fails to reveal remarkable new insights into these magnificent and elusive creatures.

NEW SERIES

WORST CASE SCENARIO

Discovery Channel's all-new six-part series WORST CASE SCENARIO is based on the bestselling series of books. On the show, survival expert and MAN VS. WILD host Bear Grylls portrays potentially life-threatening situations to demonstrate how to survive in a worst case scenario. Filmed like a feature film, Grylls pushes his physical boundaries - part stuntman, part urban survivalist - to exhibit scenarios that viewers could find themselves in and equip them with potentially life-saving information. In each episode, Grylls shows viewers that the right knowledge and skills can help anyone succeed in urban survival situations that could arise without warning, from escaping a high-rise apartment fire to fending off a shark attack to escaping out of a sinking car. The various situations featured on WORST CASE SCENARIO have been produced to model those in the book series. Other dire situations featured throughout the series include escaping from a frozen lake and surviving a multi-story elevator plunge or a fall down a flight of stairs.

CONSTRUCTION INTERVENTION

Follow New York City construction guru and tough guy Charlie Frattini and his crew as they tackle real-life property improvement nightmares. What happens when the work goes unfinished and the owners are left abandoned by the contractor? Charlie and team travel throughout the city to rescue small businesses that are in the midst of derailed construction projects. Meeting with the victims of the renovation disaster, Charlie then assesses the damage and whips the culprits into shape. With a tough-love approach but a heart of gold to back it up, Charlie pushes the team to finish the job and in doing so pushes them all to see what they are really capable of accomplishing when they work together.

LONG RUNNING SERIES

DEADLIEST CATCH

The seas are rougher, the stakes are higher and the intensity has never been stronger as the original, ultimate tough guys of television return in Discovery Channel's Emmy®-winning ratings powerhouse DEADLIEST CATCH for an all new season. All eyes points to 53˚ 52' North / 166˚ 31' West: Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where Captains Sig Hansen (Northwestern), Johnathan and Andy Hillstrand (Time Bandit) and Keith Colburn (Wizard) are all back for another season of crab fishing, but storms - personal, natural and financial - are brewing for the skippers and their crew.

DIRTY JOBS

Host and everyman Mike Rowe gets the grimy scoop on downright nasty, but vital, occupations in DIRTY JOBS. Rowe could be processing smelly seafood in a fish factory, collecting bat guano for prized fertilizer or cleaning septic tanks to maintain a fresh-smelling environment. His apprenticeship never ends as he learns from those who keep our world running smoothly.

MAN VS. WILD

Adventurer Bear Grylls is put to the ultimate test. Left in the middle of nowhere, Grylls employs his encyclopedic knowledge of nature to scavenge for food and keep his body in order. Headache? Grylls searches for pain-relieving plants. Hunger? He eats maggots in the Rocky Mountains or a fresh-killed zebra on Africa's savanna. No matter the climate or locale, Grylls is up to the task.

MYTHBUSTERS

Back and better than ever, MYTHBUSTERS continues its mad scientific quest to discover the truth behind popular myths and urban legends. Hosted by quirky special effects experts Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage, this mentally tantalizing series takes on the myths and uses modern-day science to show what's real and what's fiction.

STORM CHASERS

It's the television series that keeps everyone on the edge of their seat. Changing weather patterns, colliding air masses and 700,000 square miles of flatland create the ideal conditions for storm chasing. It's become the annual rite of spring for a motley collection of scientists, enthusiasts and eccentrics. Follow extreme filmmaker Sean Casey, veteran Tim Samaras and thrill-seeking meteorologist Reed Timmer on the trail of Mother Nature's deadliest and most violent creations.

THE COLONY

Last year THE COLONY had viewers and critics talking about its provocative take on the science of survival. What would you do in the wake of a global catastrophe? How would you find food? Water? Shelter? THE COLONY returns another season of essential watercooler television, a controlled experiment to see exactly what it would take to survive and rebuild under apocalyptic circumstances. Tasked with creating a liveable society, volunteers will have to work with their skills and whatever tools and supplies they can scavenge from their surroundings.

About Discovery Channel

Discovery Channel (DSC) is dedicated to creating the highest quality nonfiction content that informs and entertains its consumers about the world in all its wonder, diversity and amazement. The network, which reaches 99.8 million viewers in the US, can be seen in over 180 countries, offering a signature mix of compelling, high-end production values and vivid cinematography across genres including, science and technology, exploration, adventure, history and in-depth, behind-the-scenes glimpses at the people, places and organizations that shape and share our world. For more information, please visit www.discovery.com.

Animal Planet 2010-2011 Programming Plans

IMAL PLANET REVEALS SURPRISINGLY HUMAN SIDE FOR 2010-11 UPFRONT SEASON
— Planet’s Powerful Entertainment Roster Includes 300 Hours of Original Domestic and Wild Animal Content
April 8, 2010

(New York, NY) - Since its rebrand just two years ago, Animal Planet has transformed into a more powerful, competitive entertainment destination with hit shows featuring people's complex relationships with the animal world. This upfront season, the Planet announces 300 hours of original programming including more than 100 hours of new shows along with a slew of returning series that earned both critical and viewer acclaim, all underscoring the evolution of the Animal Planet brand and its new tagline, "Surprisingly Human."

"There is no human world separate from the animal world," says president and general manager Marjorie Kaplan. "We all inhabit one large, living planet, and the stories we can tell at the margins where humans' and animals' lives intersect make for terrific entertainment." This year's line-up further cements the Planet's ownership of the pets' category, features landmark natural history series and specials, and expands its bold roster of surprisingly human character-based series.

Nothing could be more surprising than TAKING ON TYSON, a show that returns former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson to the roof tops of Brooklyn and to sports. This time, he's the underdog as he enters the competitive world of pigeon racing. Pigeons have been Tyson's great passion since childhood; he loves them but he's never raced them before. TAKING ON TYSON will explore a fascinating subculture and reveal this complex man as never seen before.

What if you're not as crazy about birds as Mike? What if you have rodents in your rec room? Or bats in your belfry? Introducing the SKUNK WHISPERER, aka Ned Bruha, the frazzled homeowner's answer to furry - and not so furry - intruders...a hilarious, bayou-bred hero, Ned has a lofty goal - to humanely remove the most unwanted, invasive, creepy-crawly even slithering creatures that worm their way into homes. Who would have thought that critter eviction could be so wild and so fun?

The network's big returning series, whether domestic or wild, tame or bold, reflects Animal Planet's surprisingly human side. Fan-favorite show PIT BOSS, about a group of little people with big hearts, big mouths and big love for pit bulls, returns this summer. In the channel's best-performing series ever, RIVER MONSTERS, extreme angler Jeremy Wade dives into another season, having hooked both female and male viewers and delivered an average of more than a million households per episode last year. And, ratings-winner WHALE WARS prepares to make an even bigger splash with its third drama-drenched season.

Riding the wave of WHALE WARS, Animal Planet continues to flex its muscle when it comes to conservation, spotlighting the lengths people go to help animals. Later this summer, Academy Award®-winning documentary THE COVE will make its cable television debut on Animal Planet. The film will be followed by a return to Taiji ("the Cove") and other precarious waters in DOLPHIN WARRIORS (wt), featuring flipper-trainer-turned-activist Ric O'Barry and his son, Lincoln, in their determined efforts to save dolphins in peril at the hand of man.

No one walks that thin line between civilization and wildlife better than Animal Planet's large predator expert Dave Salmoni in new series WORLD'S DEADLIEST TOWNS (wt). From India to Zambia, Dave finds paradise lost in the transitional danger zones at the beautiful but deadly ends of the Earth, where human life and the wild have lost their ever delicate balance. The channel also takes viewers deep INTO THE DRAGON'S LAIR through human eyes as world-renowned underwater cameraman Didier Noiret brings a fellow explorer with him in his quest to do what no one has before - follow the terrifying 19-foot Nile crocodile into its den to capture never-before- seen behaviors of this venerable apex predator. Of course, Animal Planet will continue to deliver on its legacy of spectacular natural-history storytelling with a new season of MUTUAL OF OMAHA'S WILD KINGDOM and breathtaking specials including WILD AMAZON, VIKING WILDERNESS and an unprecedented journey to the island of MADAGASCAR.

It wouldn't be Animal Planet without the creatures we want in our homes. Where some nets may showcase dominance training for dogs, Animal Planet simply dominates the whole pets' space with the largest pet presence on the web, connections to 95% of all shelters in the United States and nearly 100 hours of returning and new series that take audiences from pet rescue to adoption to training. Returning shows run the gamut from the fascinating information in DOGS and CATS 101 to rich entertainment with remarkable characters like PIT BOSS' Shorty Rossi, Victoria Stillwell in IT'S ME OR THE DOG and Tia Torres in PIT BULLS AND PAROLEES.

The network introduces more big characters in its new series LAST CHANCE HIGHWAY, produced by Al Roker Entertainment. Shelly Bookwalter and Kyle Peterson are two strong-willed, die-hard animal lovers who use a little known "underground railroad" to take hundreds of stray dogs that would otherwise be euthanized from the South to loving homes in the Northeast. And for the millions of cat lovers, MUST LOVE CATS premieres in 2011 with cat-obsessed host and musician John Fulton, whose road-tripping adventure brings viewers some of the most unique people, places and things the feline world has to offer.

There's only one planet, and Animal Planet's slate proves that it's a fascinating place as the network features real, compelling, human stories made more intense, moving and entertaining because of the world we share with animals. Highlights of Animal Planet's 2010-2011 upfront programs include the following debut series, returning series and specials:

NEW SERIES (in alphabetical order)



DOLPHIN WARRIORS (wt)
Dolphin activist and Academy Award®-winning filmmaker Ric O'Barry exposed the senseless massive dolphin slaughter in picturesque, remote Taiji - known now to the world as THE COVE. Now, Ric and his son, Lincoln - filmmaker and heir to the "family business" of activism - are back on the hunt to expose dolphin mistreatment all over the world in DOLPHIN WARRIORS. As a former trainer for the 1960s television series Flipper, Ric was a pioneer in the captive dolphin trade, a $2 billion market that spans the globe. In DOLPHIN WARRIORS, Ric and Lincoln are on a mission for redemption. Relentless in their efforts to help dolphins in peril at the hand of man, this father-son team vows no limits to the lengths they'll go to save dolphins.

LAST CHANCE HIGHWAY

Shelly Bookwalter and Kyle Peterson have devoted themselves to saving the lives of thousands of dogs every year. As part of a network of volunteers stretching across the South, vivacious Shelly and big-hearted Kyle are at the center of a unique effort to find homes for thousands of stray pets. Shelly and other volunteers rescue abandoned dogs from the streets and local shelters and prepare them for adoption before Kyle and his team transports them in truck convoys to the Northeast. The thousand-mile journey is an exhausting ritual but one which finds homes for more than 100 dogs every week. Each episode will follow three dogs as they make the journey to their new homes and a new life with loving families.

MUST LOVE CATS

This road-tripping adventure series packs wild, wonderful and heartwarming encounters with the cat world into a journey to the center of the feline universe. From the weird to the wacky and from the curious and cuddly, cat-obsessed host and musician John Fulton sees as much of the feline world as possible, no matter where the path leads. From ancient to modern, massive to tiny, art museums to street corners, no cat will be overlooked in this scenic travelogue that takes a deep dive into some of the most unique people, places and things the feline world has to offer. From cats that saved their owners' lives to swanky cat-only hotels, MUST LOVE CATS spans the realm of all things "cat," offering a potpourri of fantastic feline stories, jam-packed with fascinating factoids and trivia bits.

TAKING ON TYSON

Former boxing great and heavyweight champion of the world, pop culture icon and now actor Mike Tyson is stepping back into the sports arena, this time as an underdog to master the intensely competitive and fascinating world of pigeon racing. TAKING ON TYSON heads for the rooftops of Brooklyn to introduce viewers to the unusual array of characters in New York's pigeon circle who collect, breed and train these often maligned and misunderstood birds. Iron Mike is passionate about these creatures, their beauty, their soaring grace in flight and their big hearts. In TAKING ON TYSON, audiences get an inside look at pigeon rearing and racing as never seen before and at this man whose pigeons were his sanctuary in his childhood and now offer him an opportunity to come home again.

SKUNK WHISPERER (wt)

When the wild-animal world encroaches on your domestic bliss, critter specialist and animal-lover Ned Bruha is the man to call. Rodents in your rec room? Beavers desperate to dam your beautiful new fountain? Bats in your belfry? Ned, aka the SKUNK WHISPERER, is your guy - a special kind of expert who specializes in humane wildlife removal and property repair so that creatures as diverse, determined and destructive as raccoons, snakes, squirrels and bats can never invade again. A man's home is his castle, and Ned understands the need for fortification against the unwelcome visitors that are only doing what comes naturally. SKUNK WHISPERER takes you inside Ned's world as he responds to frantic calls from frazzled homeowners, extracts furry intruders and creates home-critter defenses. It's SURVIVORMAN meets The Office, where dealing with the wildest nature has to offer is all in a day's work.

WORLD'S DEADLIEST TOWNS (wt)
There's a thin, tenuous line between primal nature and civilization, and in some far ends of the Earth, that line is nearly transparent. In this riveting, danger-loaded series, Animal Planet's large-predator expert Dave Salmoni walks this line to explore the disappearing, delicate balance between the wild and human worlds. In WORLD'S DEADLIEST TOWNS, Dave explores three transitional danger zones. First to India, where he joins villagers battling elephants that have been driven to a stress point so extreme, they may be turning into man eaters. And, in India's Sundarbans, a dense and unforgiving wilderness, Royal Bengal tigers have added man to their menu, killing a human nearly once a week. In Zambia, water is life, and villagers along the Zambezi River depend on this waterway for all of their needs. But to survive on the Zambezi means you must face the deadliest animal in Africa. In each of these magnificent but deadly places, Dave finds paradise lost as he explores the reasons why man and animal fight each other...to live.

RETURNING SERIES

DOGS 101/CATS 101

The most comprehensive and most endearing dog and cat encyclopedias on television are coming back for a third season! With more than 150 dog breeds, DOGS 101 will spotlight the lovable, the feisty and the unexpected. From the bull terrier to the saluki -this series chronicles a variety of breeds for their behavioral quirks, genetic history, most famous examples and wildest trivia. In the companion series, viewers discover everything they ever wanted to know about their feline friends in CATS 101. From the American bobtail to the snowshoe, this series highlights the frisky, spirited and contagiously cute behaviors that helped these sassy creatures overtake dogs as the most popular pet in America.

THE HAUNTED

Tune in for 10 brand-new true tales of the paranormal as only Animal Planet can tell them. This season, THE HAUNTED sees an onslaught of fresh, unsettling stories of people and their animals haunted by bizarre paranormal forces. From a full-house exorcism, the transference of human spirits to living animals and horrifying ancestral apparitions, there is no limit to the bizarre nature of these real-life hauntings. Animals are known to be more attuned than humans to the paranormal; their sixth-sense instincts allow them to act as intermediaries between their owners and the supernatural spirits that plague them. Using first-hand accounts from pet owners, evidence from hauntings and opinions from paranormal investigation teams, THE HAUNTED sets out to solve more ghostly sightings, mysterious deaths and bizarre disappearances.

I'M ALIVE

Without claws, venom or razor-sharp teeth, humans are no physical match for our wildlife counterparts. Given our natural disadvantages, a confrontation with an animal can easily turn deadly. However, there are times when no amount of size or power can overcome a much stronger opponent - a person's will to live. I'M ALIVE features the inspirational stories of people who - regardless of the obstacles or consequences - are determined to survive an animal attack. Why do some people defy the odds and take their lives back?

I SHOULDN'T BE ALIVE

Re-live the unbelievably harrowing and life-changing ordeals of people who came face to face with death and miraculously found a way to survive. These accounts of ordinary people who survived unimaginable experiences will take you on an emotional journey as the survivors share their experience moment by moment through the moral dilemmas, chance events and desperate decisions that ultimately saved their life. What did it take to live to tell about it?

IT'S ME OR THE DOG

Victoria Stilwell is back for a new season of the hit series IT'S ME OR THE DOG to share her canine wisdom with American families at the end of their leashes. From skittish spaniels to disorderly dobermans, dog-trainer Victoria has seen them all in her more than 20 years of training. But what about the owners who might be just a little out of control themselves? And their friends, spouses or children forced to live with wild animals that should be domesticated pets? With homes in chaos and marriages in trouble, it's not just the dogs that need help. This series follows Victoria as she tries to restore harmony in homes where the pets are running the show and the owners are along for the ride.

LOST TAPES

Discover the stories behind creatures that science refuses to recognize as Animal Planet takes viewers through an intense journey into terror to find out what goes bump in the night. This first-person, immersive series blurs the line between fact and fiction as it explores deadly encounters with mysterious beasts. From zombies and devil monkeys to the Loch Ness Monster, the new season of LOST TAPES questions plausible reality behind these renowned, mythical creatures. While their existence never has been proven, alleged sightings and encounters suggest that there are species that have managed to elude us. You've heard the legends, but LOST TAPES is where myth meets reality.

MONSTERS INSIDE ME

A trip to summer camp leaves one Boy Scout's flesh under deadly assault; a scholar returns from an African research trip to discover a worm swimming in his eyeball; and a romantic fishing trip goes horribly wrong when an unexpected visitor invades a couple's dinner. Family and friends are shocked and worried. Doctors are puzzled, racing to unlock the mysteries before it's too late. What do all these cases have in common? The causes of these mysterious illnesses are not viruses or bacteria but stealthy, cunning creatures that have taken up residence in their unsuspecting hosts - parasites! Every story is a life-or-death battle between modern medicine and evolution as these patients fight off the MONSTERS INSIDE ME.

MUTUAL OF OMAHA'S WILD KINGDOM

The landmark wildlife series that debuted more than 40 years ago is back for a ninth season in stunning high definition on Animal Planet. A viewing tradition on Sundays at 7 PM, MUTUAL OF OMAHA'S WILD

KINGDOM transports audiences to the far corners of the world to explore wild animals in their natural habitats. Experience the uncharted territory, along with the unpredictability and excitement of the animal kingdom in unprecedented, high-quality wildlife adventures and storytelling. Next season, cameras follow the wildest of creatures as they struggle to survive, and even thrive, in the most challenging of conditions.

PIT BOSS

This summer, the PIT BOSS is back! The hit series that introduced Shorty Rossi to viewers last winter returns with 14 new episodes. Rossi, an ex-con with a big heart, pit bull rescuer and owner of little person talent agency Shortywood, has newfound fame, and it's flooding Shorty's Rescue with new cases and creating even more chaos than usual for his staff and the numerous pit bulls that overcrowd their office. Shorty pushes himself to his physical limits and goes into work overdrive to find more work in Hollywood for his little-people clients and his pit bulls to help fund even more rescues. The PIT BOSS sets out to prove to the world that pit bulls are the most misunderstood and most unfairly maligned of all dogs - and has a whole lot of fun doing it.

PIT BULLS AND PAROLEES
Two hundred pit bulls; six convicted felons on parole; and 10 dusty acres in the middle of nowhere: Villalobos Rescue Center is the crossroad for a chance at redemption, rehabilitation and rebirth for both man and man's best friend. And, at the center of it all is one extraordinary woman, Tia Maria Torres. Now in its second season, Tia and her cadre of parolees face a new set of challenges including pit bulls rescued from a dog-fighting ring, the pending trial of Tia's husband, A.J., and the return of one parolee who went back to jail during Season One. One thing that hasn't changed, though, is Villabolos' core mission: to rescue pit bulls from dangerous and abusive situations and find them new, loving homes.

RIVER MONSTERS
Extreme angler and biologist Jeremy Wade is back on the hunt for legendary, flesh-eating freshwater fish in another season of Animal Planet's best-performing series ever, RIVER MONSTERS. Wade's international excursions into the dark side of the watery depths mixes action and adventure with incredible mysteries, edge-of-the-seat chases and a battle of wills between man and the nearly supernatural beasts that lurk in the world's serpentine waterways. The new season brings Wade to some of the most scenic and feared locations on Earth in search of all-new, mysterious marine life. And, like all the best horror movies, the images are intense, immediate, gritty and real. From massive sawfish with three-foot snouts full of razor-sharp teeth in Australia to electric eels in Brazil capable of producing deadly volts of electricity, Jeremy continues on his epic hunt for the most dangerous fish on the planet.

WHALE WARS

Captain Paul Watson and the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society return for a new adrenaline-fueled season of WHALE WARS, waging a life-and-death battle to find and stop Japanese ships from hunting whales in the name of research. A modern-day Ahab, Watson and his eclectic group of international staff and volunteers - labeled activists and heroes by some or eco-pirates by others - take a hard-line approach to eradicate whaling and alleged ocean-law violations. Highlighting the controversial whaling trade and the tactics that the Sea Shepherds deploys to attempt to cripple it, the series documents the group's three-month expedition across icy Antarctic waters. WHALE WARS follows a masterful match at the far end of the globe as both Sea Shepherd and the Japanese whalers engage in an environmental showdown with millions of dollars at stake - all while drawing global attention to the practice of whaling. The team of oceanic crusaders sets out to risk it all to save the whales, even if that means not all crew members make it back to port.

SPECIALS

INTO THE DRAGON'S LAIR

"Everybody dies, but not everybody lives." Those are the words of world-renowned, under-water cameraman Didier Noiret who, with his protégé Roger Horrocks, attempts to follow one of the planet's most feared apex predators all the way into its den. The two adventurers test the limits of their own fears when they journey into the murky heart of Botswana's Okovango delta to film the 19-foot-long Nile crocodile. To do this, they travel to a place no documented human has ever before entered: the underwater lair of these glorious and terrifying beasts. Their goal is to broaden the world's scientific understanding of one of its most horrifyingly beautiful killers, capture never-before-seen behaviors and striking imagery in their natural habitat, and still manage to stay alive!

MADAGASCAR

The island of Madagascar was isolated from the rest of the world for 65 million years. In splendid isolation, Madagascar became a hot bed of distinctive evolution, resulting in the greatest concentration of unique creatures anywhere on the planet. MADAGASCAR, a two-hour landmark special from the filmmakers who brought you PLANET EARTH and LIFE, reveals one of the world's most important bio-diverse hotspots, an island full of exotic animals, strange plants and extraordinary life. From endearing and endangered aye-ayes to flying foxes and many species of lemurs and from 150 species of chameleons to 300-some species of frog, discover what made this island a mysterious Eden like no other.

WILD AMAZON

Experience the greatest diversity of life on our planet in this two-hour special captured in high definition. WILD AMAZON journeys through the impenetrable jungle, mystical cloud forests and vast wetlands of Amazonian nature known as "green hell" to observe animals never captured before on film. Explore the largest rain forest on Earth with more than half of the world's plant and animal species, and discover the most mesmerizing and captivating place on Earth.

VIKING WILDERNESS
At the northernmost reaches of the globe, a vast and ancient wilderness plays host to nature's stunning wildlife. Home to a wide array of treacherous predators, the Nordic lands house some of the most adapted and skilled hunters on Earth as they compete for survival in one of nature's most extreme polar climates. These predators - including brown bears, polar bears, tundra wolves and arctic wolves - all have prime roles in VIKING WILDERNESS, as they have ruled over the untamed beauty of the Nordic region since the dawn of the last ice age. From killer whales and Queensland sharks that stalk the icy waters for ringed seals, to Icelandic horses, musk ox and a host of bizarre birds, both predator and prey struggle to survive in a land of fire, ice and snow that is the dynamic and beautiful ecosystem of VIKING WILDERNESS!

About Animal Planet

Animal Planet Media (APM), a multi-media business unit of Discovery Communications, is the world's only entertainment brand that immerses viewers in the full range of life in the animal kingdom with rich, deep content via multiple platforms and offers animal lovers and pet owners access to a centralized online, television and mobile community for immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment, information and enrichment. APM consists of the Animal Planet television network, available in more than 96 million homes in the US; online assets www.animalplanet.com, the ultimate online destination for all things animal; the 24/7 broadband channel, Animal Planet Beyond; Petfinder.com, the #1 pet-related Web property globally that facilitates pet adoption; and other media platforms including a robust Video-on-Demand (VOD) service; mobile content; and merchandising extensions.

Source: Animal Planet Press

Press Release: Premiere Night Ratings for America The Story of US

AMERICA THE STORY OF US
BREAKS RECORDS FOR HISTORY™

FIRST NIGHT OF THE SPECIAL BECOMES THE NETWORK’S HIGHEST-RATED & MOST-WATCHED OF ALL TIME

New York, April 26, 2010 – The first night of AMERICA THE STORY OF US has become the highest rated, most watched special in network history, it was announced today by Nancy Dubuc, President and General Manager, HISTORY™. The first night was watched by 5.7 million total viewers and drew a 4.0 household rating. Last night 8-11pm will go down as HISTORY's best night ever across the board.


AMERICA, THE STORY OF US - 9-11PM

HH Rating: 4.0

Total Viewers: 5.7 million

A18-49: 2.6 million

A25-54: 2.7 million

M18-49: 1.6 million

M25-54: 1.6 million



“We’re thrilled by the launch of AMERICA THE STORY OF US,” said Ms. Dubuc. “The success personifies the hunger for information and the desire to re-connect with our past. Ultimately there’s no story more dramatic and gripping than the story of America itself. We’ve tried to present this incredibly diverse narrative in a way that is engaging for people today. We’re very pleased with the response and look forward to sharing the upcoming episodes with the American public.”



AMERICA THE STORY OF US is an epic six-night television event – new episodes premiere on HISTORY™ this Sunday, 5/2 at 9pm ET and with new episodes premiering Sundays at 9pm and culminating on Memorial Day 9pm ET.



This Sunday, May 2, 9-11pm ET, AMERICA THE STORY OF US follows westward expansion in WESTWARD (9pm Eastern) and as America experiences rapid change in trade, transport and manufacturing, quickly turning America into one of the wealthiest nations on Earth there is increasing animosity between North and South in DIVISION (10pm Eastern).



In conjunction with the broadcast, HISTORY has launched its largest ever educational outreach initiative and is for the first time offering a DVD of the entire 12-hour series to every single school and accredited college in America – free of charge. The series is being presented by Bank of America® and narrated by Liev Schreiber.



AMERICA THE STORY OF US tells the extraordinary story of how America was invented, looking at the moments where Americans harnessed technology to advance human progress— from the rigors of linking the continent by transcontinental railroad, the internet of its day, to triumphing over vertical space through construction of steel structured buildings. The series is also a story of conflict – with Native American peoples, slavery, the revolutionary war that birthed the nation, the Civil War that divided it and the great world war that shaped its future. This is a look at the forces that have shaped our nation - the people, places and things that created this most astounding country. It’s a tough and thrilling adventure.



In addition, back-to-back premieres of PAWN STARS in the 8pm hour averaged a 3.6 HH rating and 5.0 million total viewers, up 24% and 28%, respectively, from the Season 2 to-date average.



AMERICA THE STORY OF US is produced for HISTORY by Nutopia, a new production company started by Jane Root, former President of Discovery Channel. Prior to that Jane ran BBC2, and was a founder of the production company Wall to Wall Television. Jane Root is Executive Producer, Michael Jackson is co-Executive Producer and Ben Goold is Series Showrunner. For HISTORY, Nancy Dubuc, David McKillop and Julian P. Hobbs are Executive Producers.



HISTORY™ and HISTORY HD™ are the leading destinations for revealing, award-winning original non-fiction series and event-driven specials that connect history with viewers in an informative, immersive and entertaining manner across multiple platforms. Programming covers a diverse variety of historical genres ranging from military history to contemporary history, technology to natural history, as well as science, archaeology and pop culture. Among the network's program offerings are hit series such as American Pickers, Ax Men, Battle 360, How The Earth Was Made, Ice Road Truckers, Pawn Stars and The Universe, as well as acclaimed specials including 102 Minutes That Changed America, 1968 with Tom Brokaw, King, Life After People, Nostradamus: 2012, Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed and WWII in HD. HISTORY has earned four Peabody Awards, seven Primetime Emmy® Awards, 12 News & Documentary Emmy® Awards and received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences for the network's Save Our History® campaign dedicated to historic preservation and history education. Take a Veteran to School Day is the network's latest initiative connecting America's schools and communities with veterans from all wars. The HISTORY web site, located at www.history.com, is the definitive historical online source that delivers entertaining and informative content featuring broadband video, interactive timelines, maps, games and more.

ABC's May Sweeps

Thursday, April 29, 2010

ABC ANNOUNCES MAY SWEEPS PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SERIES FINALE OF "LOST" AND THE SEASON PREMIERE OF "THE BACHELORETTE"

The ABC Television Network announces highlights of its upcoming May sweeps programming, with finales of some of television's biggest hits, including the groundbreaking series finale of "Lost" and the season premiere of "The Bachelorette."

Editors please note: What follows is a chronological listing of programming highlights (all times Eastern); this is not a complete list of all programs airing during the May sweep. As airdates are subject to change, please monitor ABC's daily press bundle or www.abcmedianet.com.

FLASHFORWARD -- "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" - Janis continues to thwart her fellow FBI agents as an inside mole to a mysterious employer; Olivia is given some disturbing news by Gabriel (James Callis, Gaius Baltar on "Battlestar Galactica"), who has been subjected to numerous flashforwards; and Aaron's life is in danger in Afghanistan when he tries to blend in with the locals as he continues his search for his daughter, on "FlashForward," THURSDAY, APRIL 29 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

GREY'S ANATOMY -- "Hook, Line and Sinner" - Sloan returns to Mark's apartment, just as she's going into labor, and Teddy, Mark and the still-fighting Callie and Arizona are there to help with the birth and to get Mark through his grandson's pending adoption. Meanwhile Teddy sees Derek's invitation to illustrious cardiothoracic surgeon Tom Evans' as a threat to her future employment at the hospital, and the team work on a crab boat captain who has been stabbed with a giant shark hook, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, APRIL 29 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET).

PRIVATE PRACTICE -- "War" - After Violet files for joint custody of Lucas, an embittered Pete voraciously fights back by hiring a tough attorney for the trial, forcing their fellow friends and co-workers to choose sides and have their personal lives dragged onto the stand and into the public eye, on "Private Practice," THURSDAY, APRIL 29 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET). Guest stars include Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd and Frances Fisher as Ruby Broome.

WIFE SWAP -- "Schroeder/Wardle" - An artistic Goth family that encourages the kids to talk to the dead swaps with a family of hockey fanatics that doesn't hesitate to call kids losers when they play badly, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, APRIL 30 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

WIFE SWAP -- "Adams/Hess" - A reptile and animal-obsessed family with no rules or fashion sense swap with a strict family who can't stand animals and say that "fashion is more important than air," on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, APRIL 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS - "Episode 2022" -- This season's three $100,000 prize winners compete for the Grand Prize, on "America's Funniest Home Videos," SUNDAY, MAY 2 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET). The final three videos: "Laser Chasers," a Great Dane and a toddler are equally obsessed with a laser pointer; "Boogie Baby," a baby rocks out with a musical doll; and "The Great Escape," Junior the Chihuahua leads an escape from the utility room. The episode features footage shot at the Walt Disney World(r) Resort in Florida, at Epcot(r) and the Magic Kingdom(r) Park. Tom Bergeron is host.

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION -- "Carr family" - "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" travels to rural Mineola, TX, to meet Katrina and Mike Carr and their four adopted children (who are from Kazakhstan and were abandoned at birth), an inspiring family who strive every day to overcome severe physical challenges while living in a cramped and dangerous home. This is a Texas-sized opportunity to give back to a family who have become models of spirit and resilience. Comedian, actor, producer and author Bill Engvall is the "Get on the Bus" volunteer, while Bethany Hamilton, a surfer famous for losing her arm in a shark attack, spends time with the Carrs on their vacation, on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," SUNDAY, MAY 2 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES -- "A Little Night Music" - Angie comes face to face with her ex, Patrick Logan (John Barrowman), after years on the run, SUNDAY, MAY 2 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on "Desperate Housewives." Meanwhile, Gaby and Susan plan an elaborate scheme against their husbands, Lynette sees a darker side of Eddie, and Bree meets a woman who knows Sam all too well.

BROTHERS & SISTERS - "Love All" - The Walkers seem to all be going through an adjustment period: Cooper acts out against Sarah as Luc becomes a member of the family, Justin has trouble finding the same passion for medicine he had while serving in Iraq, and Kevin struggles with his newfound unemployed status, on "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, MAY 2 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

ROMANTICALLY CHALLENGED -- "Perry and Rebecca's High School Reunion" - When it's time for Rebecca and Perry to go back to their high school reunion, Rebecca is ready to confront Jesse, the guy who publicly humiliated her by standing her up at the senior prom. But Perry knows the real reason why she was stood up and tells a preposterous lie to keep Rebecca from discovering the truth. Meanwhile, avid hockey fan Shawn is devastated when he finds out that the local cable company won't be carrying the championship games. When he learns further that Lisa's friend, Vanessa, has the games on her cable station, he has to hide his real motive for romancing Vanessa from both women, on "Romantically Challenged," MONDAY, MAY 3 (9:32-10:00 p.m., ET).

CASTLE -- "Food to Die For" -- A high profile chef is found frozen in the kitchen of a hot New York restaurant. Complications ensue when Castle and the restaurant owner, an old high school girlfriend of Beckett's, share an attraction. Meanwhile, Beckett's relationship with Detective Demming (Michael Trucco) continues to grow, on "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 3 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET). Rocco Dispirito, a fan of the dead chef and a fan of Castle's books, guest stars in the episode.

LOST -- "The Candidate " -- Jack must decide whether or not to trust Locke after he is asked to follow through on a difficult task, on "Lost," TUESDAY, MAY 4 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET)

V - "Hearts and Minds" -- Erica, Ryan, Father Jack and Hobbes learn that Anna has sent a V shuttle with a deadly V tracker team to find them, and must figure out how to stop the shuttle from landing. Meanwhile, Anna gives Tyler his invitation to the Live Aboard Program, and Chad confronts Father Jack on what he knows about The Fifth Column, on "V," TUESDAY, MAY 4 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET).

THE MIDDLE -- "Mother's Day" - Mother's Day for Frankie is anything but serene when she finds herself doing more for Mike and the kids and less for herself. But she learns that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when she escapes the family for a few hours to go to her mom's (Marsha Mason, "The Goodbye Girl," "Chapter Two") and ends up acting like a child by making her mom wait on her hand and foot. Meanwhile, Sue feels guilty when she shoplifts a motivational magnet whose message actually enticed her to steal it, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET). Marsha Mason guest stars as Frankie's mom, Pat.

MODERN FAMILY -- "Airport 2010" - For Jay's birthday, Gloria gives him the best surprise, a romantic birthday getaway to Hawaii. The only kicker is that she invited the entire family along. Everyone arrives at the airport, and it's a maddening scene with forgotten I.D.'s, security breaches and flying phobias, on "Modern Family," WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET).

COUGAR TOWN -- "Feel a Whole Lot Better" - Jules and Grayson consider the notion of FWB, friends with benefits. Meanwhile Andy hires a nanny for Ellie, and Travis benefits from Bobby's unconventional plans to make some extra cash, on "Cougar Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 (9:30-10:01 p.m., ET).

HAPPY TOWN - "I Came to Haplin for the Waters" - Shaken by a grisly murder at the local pond and his father's bizarre, self-inflicted injury, Deputy Tommy Conroy reluctantly accepts the title of Sherriff bestowed on him by town matriarch Peggy Haplin. However Tommy's shocking discovery of Jerry Friddle's murderer forces him to keep yet another of the town's secrets with mixed emotions. Meanwhile, Henley appears to know a lot more about Haplin's dark side than she's letting on - drawing Merritt Grieves closer - but she's determined to get access to the forbidden third-floor room of the mysterious boarding house, no matter what it takes, on "Happy Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

FLASHFORWARD -- "Course Correction" - Demetri and Agent Banks (Alex Kingston) attempt to track down a killer as questions arise about the universe course-correcting itself, when people who thought they'd escaped their fates are found dead; Mark reluctantly agrees to help Simon find his sister, Annabelle, but discovers he's withholding the truth about her true circumstances; the FBI discovers the identity of Suspect Zero; and Nicole learns the whereabouts of Keiko - the woman in Bryce's flashforward - but struggles with whether to share this information, due to her growing feelings for him, on "FlashForward," THURSDAY, MAY 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). James Callis guest stars as Gabriel.

GREY'S ANATOMY -- "How Insensitive" - Bailey preps the team with a mandatory sensitivity training prior to admitting a 700-pound patient with compounded medical issues, and the case proves to be challenging in every sense. Meanwhile Derek has to come face to face with a former patient's husband in a wrongful death deposition, and spending time with a heart patient's daughter opens up some old wounds for Cristina, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, MAY 6 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET).

PRIVATE PRACTICE -- "In the Name of Love" - Naomi puts Fife in a conflicted position when she begs him to help William's advanced ALS with his still experimental treatment. Meanwhile Violet and Amelia (Guest star Caterina Scorsone) treat a woman with a brain tumor who has to choose between life or quality of life, and Sheldon decides to officially throw his hat into the ring for Charlotte's affections, on "Private Practice," THURSDAY, MAY 6 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

WIFE SWAP -- "Beauvais/Clayton" - A successful family of inventors and entrepreneurs living their dreams swap with a family who, despite becoming unemployed, maintain a cheerful outlook while struggling to live in a trailer park on a low income, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, MAY 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS - "Episode 2023" -- Part One of a two-part series -- "America's Funniest Home Videos" counts down to "the 20 videos that changed the world" - features the funniest and most unique videos the show has received in its two decades on television, on "America's Funniest Home Videos," SUNDAY, MAY 9 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET). The top video, to be named in the season finale, will win the entrant a cruise for four anywhere in the world that Disney Cruise Line sets sail (with choices including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Mexican Riviera and Alaska), between June 2010 through September 2011. Tom Bergeron is host. The episode includes footage shot aboard the Disney Magic on an Eastern Caribbean cruise.

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION -- "Starkweather family" - In this special story for Mother's Day, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" travels to Tulsa, OK, to meet Toen and Amy Starkweather, whose nine-year-old son, Ethan, suffers from a rare disorder called Prader-Willi syndrome. This incurable disease causes low muscle tone, labored speech, troubled breathing and a malfunctioning hypothalamus, which results in extreme and constant hunger. Because Ethan requires 24-hour care, the mounting list of necessary home repairs has been left on the back burner. The Starkweathers' small home is very old, riddled with foundation, electrical and plumbing problems, and is barely accessible for Ethan. Also in the episode, the Make-a-Wish foundation will have a special guest on hand -- aspiring interior designer Callie London, 11, of Farmington, UT, who suffers from cystic fibrosis. Callie's wish to do a makeover on a kid's room will come to life as she works with Paul DiMeo in designing Ethan's new bedroom. Lilith Tour 2010 artists Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert are the "Get on the Bus" volunteers working and singing, while Sarah McLachlan also delivers a special message to the family, on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," SUNDAY, MAY 9 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES -- "The Ballad of Booth" - Lynette comes to a shocking realization about Eddie, on "Desperate Housewives," SUNDAY, MAY 9 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Meanwhile, Angie discreetly relies on Gaby for help when Patrick threatens the life of her son, Bree offers Sam a generous payoff to walk away, and Susan and Mike's financial woes result in the ultimate sacrifice.

BROTHERS & SISTERS -- "Lights Out" - The Walkers are heartbroken as they prepare to shut the doors of Ojai Foods for good, but new opportunities and secret alliances develop as a result of the family's loss, on "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, MAY 9 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

CASTLE -- "Overkill" -- A robbery-homicide prompts Beckett to invite Demming to assist on a case, giving Castle a ringside seat to their budding romance. When it becomes clear that the two men have very different ideas about how to proceed, the investigation becomes an unspoken competition for Beckett's attention. With each of them racing to be the first to solve the case, Beckett must referee between her two admirers, on "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 10 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET).

LOST -- "Across the Sea" -- TUESDAY, MAY 11 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET). Copy TBD.

V -- "Fruition" - After a violent attack on someone very close to Anna, she delivers a message that the Vs don't feel safe and will be leaving; and Anna also gives a list of possible Fifth Column members to Chad, hoping he'll investigate to help in finding them. Meanwhile, Erica and the team try to track down a scientist who may have created a weapon that the Visitors are afraid of, on "V," TUESDAY, MAY 11 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET).

THE MIDDLE -- "Signals" - The Heck family BBQ is being planned as spring rolls around, and Mike decides it's time for him and Brick to try to be more social at the event, since Frankie has pointed out that Mike's own social ineptness has been passed on to Brick. Meanwhile, Axl sets out to clean the family pool to entice the girls to stop by for a swim -- in their bikinis -- and Sue finally finds someone who totally understands her, church youth group leader Reverend TimTom. But when she learns he may be leaving the parish due to budget cuts, she tries to raise money to help finance his stay, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET).

MODERN FAMILY -- "Hawaii" - Jay could not be happier to do nothing but relax in this tropical paradise, but an unexpected reality check dampens his plans. Meanwhile, Phil is determined to make this trip romantic for Claire, Mitchell and Cameron have opposing views on whether to sightsee or not to sightsee, and the kids get into a little bit of mischief when left to their own devices, on "Modern Family," WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET).

COUGAR TOWN -- "Breakdown" - Jules encourages Travis to submit a graduation speech, on "Cougar Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 (9:30-10:01 p.m., ET). Despite Grayson's warning, a curious Jules reads

the speech without permission and is crushed when she finds she has not been acknowledged. Meanwhile, Ellie uncharacteristically does something nice for Laurie, and Bobby tries to restrain himself from embarrassing Travis on his big day.

HAPPY TOWN -- "Polly Wants a Crack at Her" - An ominous fearsome hawk soars over Haplin's unsuspecting residents as the Thaw Fest celebration is about to start. Tommy must walk a precarious line when it comes to Friddle's murder, as a state investigator moves in to assist him. Andrew Haplin, still upset over girlfriend Georgia's assault, exacts revenge on the person he believes to be the perpetrator -- and pays for the consequences. Meanwhile, when Henley is a victim of a bizarre car accident, a handsome stranger not only comes to her rescue but lures her into a surprising, sensual relationship. And when Thaw Fest finally arrives, it comes with chilling and tragic consequences, on "Happy Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

FLASHFORWARD -- "The Negotiation" - It's April 28 - the day before the prophesized flashforward date - and as the world waits to see if their future visions will come true, Mark must do everything in his power to protect Gabriel (James Callis, "Battlestar Galactica"), who is the bridge between Dyson Frost and the Global Blackout; Aaron locates his daughter's captors and puts his life on the line in order to rescue her; Janis is tasked with killing a fellow agent; and Simon comes face to face with the head of the nefarious organization that may be responsible for the blackout, on "FlashForward," THURSDAY, MAY 13 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Guest stars include Gabrielle Union as Zoey and Annabeth Gish as Lita.

GREY'S ANATOMY -- "Shiny Happy People" - An elderly patient admitted into the E.R. for a heart condition sees a familiar face, a long lost love who happens to be in the E.R. as well for a fractured arm, and the staff find themselves caught up in their love story. Meanwhile, Karev treats a troubled teenage patient (guest star Demi Lovato) whose parents brought her in for schizophrenia, and Meredith can't help but tell Cristina about her suspicions of Owen -- which inevitably messes with Cristina's head -- on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, MAY 13 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Marion Ross guest stars as Betty.

PRIVATE PRACTICE -- "The End of a Beautiful Friendship" - Maya and her unborn baby are fighting for their lives on the operating table, and Addison, Amelia (Guest star Caterina Scorsone) and Fife try everything humanly possible to save them. Meanwhile, Sam operates on an incoming crash victim and later makes a grim discovery, Cooper makes an ill-timed but valiant effort with Charlotte, and the staff's world is rocked by an unexpected death, on the SEASON FINALE of "Private Practice," THURSDAY, MAY 13 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

WIFE SWAP -- "Haller-Wren/Spencer" - A macho family of football players who expect their trophy wife mom to serve their every need swap lives with a happy hippie family whose feminist mom believes in breaking accepted gender roles, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, MAY 14 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS - "Episode 2024" -- In part two of a two-part series -- the top videos "that changed the world!" - the funniest, the strangest, most unusual video the show has received in its two decades on television is revealed, on the SEASON FINALE of "America's Funniest Home Videos," SUNDAY, MAY 16 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET). The top video will win the entrant a cruise for four anywhere in the world that Disney Cruise Line sets sail (with choices including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Mexican Riviera and Alaska), between June 2010 through September 2011. Tom Bergeron is the host. The season finale includes footage shot aboard the Disney Magic on an Eastern Caribbean cruise.

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION -- "Williams family" - In the SEASON FINALE, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" travels to Pine Mountain Valley, GA, to meet Jeremy and Jennifer Williams, whose son, Jacob, was diagnosed with Spina Bifida before he was born. Then, several years after Jacob's birth, Jeremy was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. The home Jeremy and Jennifer bought 13 years ago is falling apart around them; in addition to mounting repairs, the home is too small to accommodate two disabled family members. NFL Super Star Michael Oher and the Tuohy Family ("The Blind Side") are the "Get on the Bus" volunteers, while ESPN football analysts Herm Edwards, Mark Schlereth, Mark May and Desmond Howard are special guests, plus Demi Lovato (sings) and Wilmer Valderrama (with "Handy Manny") also make appearances, SUNDAY, MAY 16
(8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES -- "I Guess This is Goodbye" - As a season of mysteries are resolved, new ones emerge on the explosive SEASON FINALE of "Desperate Housewives," SUNDAY, MAY 16 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Gaby risks her safety to help Angie, the fates of Lynette and her unborn child lie in Eddie's hands, Susan comes to grips with her financial woes, Bree considers confessing a secret she's harbored for years, and Angie must submit to Patrick's demands in order to protect her son.

BROTHERS & SISTERS -- "On the Road Again" - As the Walkers try to cope with the sadness and financial ruin that lingers as a result of the closure of Ojai Foods, they discover a small ray of hope in one of William Walker's many secret investments. Meanwhile, Robert's health and the safety of his family are compromised when he finds himself in way over his head in a subversive business deal, and newlyweds Justin and Rebecca consider a trial separation, on the SEASON FINALE of "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, MAY 16 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

CASTLE - "A Deadly Game" - In the SEASON FINALE, nothing is as it seems when Castle and Beckett investigate what appears to be the assassination of an intelligence operative. Meanwhile, Beckett's romance with Demming threatens her relationship with Castle, forcing them to confront their feelings for each other, on "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 17 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET). Guest stars include Stephen J. Cannell, Michael Connelly and James Patterson as themselves.

LOST -- "What They Died For" -- TUESDAY, MAY 18 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET). Copy TBD.

V -- In the SEASON FINALE, "Red Sky," the episode opens with the V soldier still on the hunt for Val, whose water breaks and whose baby (with Ryan) will soon be born. Meanwhile Erica, tired of being on the defensive, decides to go on the offensive: She gets herself and Tyler invited up to the Mothership for a get-to-know-everyone-better dinner, but she has more than food on her mind; she's really there to find Anna's soldiers and destroy them. And Chad, after Father Jack asks him to help get a message on the ship to Joshua, discovers the awful truth that Anna's been using him, on "V," TUESDAY, MAY 18 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET).

THE MIDDLE -- "Average Rules" - After attending year-end school parent-teacher conferences, Frankie and Mike are shocked to discover that Brick may be held back from going to the third grade because the school librarian, Mrs. Nethercott (Guest star Betty White), has it out for him due to his 31 unreturned books. Meanwhile, as Axl's aptitude test results reveal that he's academically gifted, Frankie makes it her mission to get an overlooked Sue the recognition she deserves when her teachers don't even realize she's in their classes, on the SEASON FINALE of "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET).

MODERN FAMILY -- "Family Portrait" - Claire painstakingly plans for a new family portrait to be taken, but it seems everything and everyone is working against her. Meanwhile Gloria and Manny go with Phil and Alex to a Lakers game and end up having a very awkward moment on the jumbotron, Luke interviews Jay for a school project, and Cameron gets a wedding singer gig while Mitchell is home alone with Lily and a wayward pigeon, on the SEASON FINALE of "Modern Family," WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET). Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Makes a Cameo Appearance.

COUGAR TOWN -- "Finding Out" - Jules and Grayson hatch an elaborate plan to break the news to Bobby they're dating, and Travis sees the wrath of a truly angry woman for the first time when he forgets his momentous seven-month anniversary with Kylie, on the SEASON FINALE of "Cougar Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 (9:30-10:01 p.m., ET).

HAPPY TOWN -- "Slight of Hand" - When Rachel Conroy mysteriously vanishes, an eerie cloud settles over Haplin, as clues point to the return of the elusive Magic Man. Surprisingly, Tommy finds an unlikely ally while desperately searching for his wife. Meanwhile, Handsome Dan announces he has to leave Haplin, then unexpectedly turns up elsewhere. Henley manages to get her stolen property back from Greggy Stiviletto and uses it to blackmail a member of Haplin's powerful "first" family. Finally, Tommy investigates some gruesome evidence that ironically could mean good news for many of Haplin's families, on "Happy Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

FLASHFORWARD - "Countdown" -- TUESDAY, MAY 25 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Copy TBD.

GREY'S ANATOMY -- "Sanctuary" - In the first hour (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) of a two-hour SEASON FINALE, Seattle Grace Hospital is hit with a crisis like no other in its history, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, MAY 20. In the second hour (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), "Death and All His Friends," Cristina and Meredith's surgical skills are put to the ultimate test. Mandy Moore ("A Walk to Remember") guest stars.

WIFE SWAP -- "Herrington/Trevino" - A clean-cut family who perform a wholesome variety show swap with a rules-free family of low-riders who let their girls wear and say anything they want, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, MAY 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

LOST RECAP SPECIAL -- ABC offers new and avid "Lost" viewers a final glance at one of television's most talked about and critically acclaimed shows. The "Lost" Series Finale Event begins with a two-hour special that takes a look back over the past six seasons of this groundbreaking series. "Lost Recap Special" airs SUNDAY, MAY 23 (7:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

LOST - "The End" -- SERIES FINALE, SUNDAY, MAY 23 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET). Copy TBD.
"JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE" -- Throughout sweeps, Jimmy Kimmel hosts an all-star lineup of guests including, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Ryan Phillippe, Michael Douglas, Josh Holloway, Jake Gyllenhaal, Teri Hatcher and Courtney Love, and will also have the first interview with the winner of "Dancing with the Stars." In addition, after the final episode of "LOST," longtime fan Jimmy will host an hour-long analysis of and farewell to one of television's most beloved series, with appearances from executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, alternate endings, and live interviews with cast members, SUNDAY, MAY 23 (11:35 p.m. - 12:35 a.m.). The month of May also brings musical performances from Hole, Stone Temple Pilots, Tim McGraw Godsmack, Angels and Airwaves, Dirty Heads, Slayer, Damian Marley with Nas and Massive Attack, who are making their only U.S. TV appearance. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (12:05 a.m. - 1:05 a.m., ET).

THE BACHELORETTE - Ali Fedotowsky has finally decided to risk it all for love. The energetic and charismatic career-oriented woman from San Francisco has re-prioritized her life - and now love comes out on top. She will have her own opportunity to find her soul mate when the sixth edition of "The Bachelorette" PREMIERES MONDAY, MAY 24 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), and moves to its regular time slot (8:00-10:02 p.m., ET) on Monday, May 31

Ali, 25, has been a fan favorite from the moment she stepped out of the limo with her sexy raspy voice and a peacock feather to meet Jake Pavelka on the last season of "The Bachelor." She became the front-runner for Jake's heart, but instead they found themselves in a heartbreaking situation when she made a gut-wrenching decision to choose a job she loved over the man she loved. Ali made the surprising safe choice to go back to work, but regretted it immediately. By the time she sorted out her work affairs, Jake had already moved on with his search for love with the three fabulous women who stayed with him, and he did not allow Ali to return. But it's not too late for Ali now. Admitting that she made one of the biggest mistakes of her life, she has let go of everything this time - her apartment, her job, her stability - to really make a life-changing commitment to put her heart first.

DANCING WITH THE STARS - 1010A" -- SEASON FINALE airs on TUESDAY, MAY 25 (9:00-
11:00 p.m., ET).

Source: ABC Media

ABC's May Sweeps

Thursday, April 29, 2010
ABC Television Network
PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - ENTERTAINMENT - -
ABC ANNOUNCES MAY SWEEPS PROGRAMMING
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ABC ANNOUNCES MAY SWEEPS PROGRAMMING, INCLUDING THE HIGHLY ANTICIPATED SERIES FINALE OF "LOST" AND THE SEASON PREMIERE OF "THE BACHELORETTE"




The ABC Television Network announces highlights of its upcoming May sweeps programming, with finales of some of television's biggest hits, including the groundbreaking series finale of "Lost" and the season premiere of "The Bachelorette."

Editors please note: What follows is a chronological listing of programming highlights (all times Eastern); this is not a complete list of all programs airing during the May sweep. As airdates are subject to change, please monitor ABC's daily press bundle or www.abcmedianet.com.

FLASHFORWARD -- "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" - Janis continues to thwart her fellow FBI agents as an inside mole to a mysterious employer; Olivia is given some disturbing news by Gabriel (James Callis, Gaius Baltar on "Battlestar Galactica"), who has been subjected to numerous flashforwards; and Aaron's life is in danger in Afghanistan when he tries to blend in with the locals as he continues his search for his daughter, on "FlashForward," THURSDAY, APRIL 29 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

GREY'S ANATOMY -- "Hook, Line and Sinner" - Sloan returns to Mark's apartment, just as she's going into labor, and Teddy, Mark and the still-fighting Callie and Arizona are there to help with the birth and to get Mark through his grandson's pending adoption. Meanwhile Teddy sees Derek's invitation to illustrious cardiothoracic surgeon Tom Evans' as a threat to her future employment at the hospital, and the team work on a crab boat captain who has been stabbed with a giant shark hook, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, APRIL 29 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET).

PRIVATE PRACTICE -- "War" - After Violet files for joint custody of Lucas, an embittered Pete voraciously fights back by hiring a tough attorney for the trial, forcing their fellow friends and co-workers to choose sides and have their personal lives dragged onto the stand and into the public eye, on "Private Practice," THURSDAY, APRIL 29 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET). Guest stars include Caterina Scorsone as Amelia Shepherd and Frances Fisher as Ruby Broome.

WIFE SWAP -- "Schroeder/Wardle" - An artistic Goth family that encourages the kids to talk to the dead swaps with a family of hockey fanatics that doesn't hesitate to call kids losers when they play badly, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, APRIL 30 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

WIFE SWAP -- "Adams/Hess" - A reptile and animal-obsessed family with no rules or fashion sense swap with a strict family who can't stand animals and say that "fashion is more important than air," on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, APRIL 30 (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS - "Episode 2022" -- This season's three $100,000 prize winners compete for the Grand Prize, on "America's Funniest Home Videos," SUNDAY, MAY 2 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET). The final three videos: "Laser Chasers," a Great Dane and a toddler are equally obsessed with a laser pointer; "Boogie Baby," a baby rocks out with a musical doll; and "The Great Escape," Junior the Chihuahua leads an escape from the utility room. The episode features footage shot at the Walt Disney World(r) Resort in Florida, at Epcot(r) and the Magic Kingdom(r) Park. Tom Bergeron is host.

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION -- "Carr family" - "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" travels to rural Mineola, TX, to meet Katrina and Mike Carr and their four adopted children (who are from Kazakhstan and were abandoned at birth), an inspiring family who strive every day to overcome severe physical challenges while living in a cramped and dangerous home. This is a Texas-sized opportunity to give back to a family who have become models of spirit and resilience. Comedian, actor, producer and author Bill Engvall is the "Get on the Bus" volunteer, while Bethany Hamilton, a surfer famous for losing her arm in a shark attack, spends time with the Carrs on their vacation, on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," SUNDAY, MAY 2 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES -- "A Little Night Music" - Angie comes face to face with her ex, Patrick Logan (John Barrowman), after years on the run, SUNDAY, MAY 2 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET) on "Desperate Housewives." Meanwhile, Gaby and Susan plan an elaborate scheme against their husbands, Lynette sees a darker side of Eddie, and Bree meets a woman who knows Sam all too well.

BROTHERS & SISTERS - "Love All" - The Walkers seem to all be going through an adjustment period: Cooper acts out against Sarah as Luc becomes a member of the family, Justin has trouble finding the same passion for medicine he had while serving in Iraq, and Kevin struggles with his newfound unemployed status, on "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, MAY 2 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

ROMANTICALLY CHALLENGED -- "Perry and Rebecca's High School Reunion" - When it's time for Rebecca and Perry to go back to their high school reunion, Rebecca is ready to confront Jesse, the guy who publicly humiliated her by standing her up at the senior prom. But Perry knows the real reason why she was stood up and tells a preposterous lie to keep Rebecca from discovering the truth. Meanwhile, avid hockey fan Shawn is devastated when he finds out that the local cable company won't be carrying the championship games. When he learns further that Lisa's friend, Vanessa, has the games on her cable station, he has to hide his real motive for romancing Vanessa from both women, on "Romantically Challenged," MONDAY, MAY 3 (9:32-10:00 p.m., ET).

CASTLE -- "Food to Die For" -- A high profile chef is found frozen in the kitchen of a hot New York restaurant. Complications ensue when Castle and the restaurant owner, an old high school girlfriend of Beckett's, share an attraction. Meanwhile, Beckett's relationship with Detective Demming (Michael Trucco) continues to grow, on "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 3 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET). Rocco Dispirito, a fan of the dead chef and a fan of Castle's books, guest stars in the episode.

LOST -- "The Candidate " -- Jack must decide whether or not to trust Locke after he is asked to follow through on a difficult task, on "Lost," TUESDAY, MAY 4 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET)

V - "Hearts and Minds" -- Erica, Ryan, Father Jack and Hobbes learn that Anna has sent a V shuttle with a deadly V tracker team to find them, and must figure out how to stop the shuttle from landing. Meanwhile, Anna gives Tyler his invitation to the Live Aboard Program, and Chad confronts Father Jack on what he knows about The Fifth Column, on "V," TUESDAY, MAY 4 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET).

THE MIDDLE -- "Mother's Day" - Mother's Day for Frankie is anything but serene when she finds herself doing more for Mike and the kids and less for herself. But she learns that the apple doesn't fall far from the tree when she escapes the family for a few hours to go to her mom's (Marsha Mason, "The Goodbye Girl," "Chapter Two") and ends up acting like a child by making her mom wait on her hand and foot. Meanwhile, Sue feels guilty when she shoplifts a motivational magnet whose message actually enticed her to steal it, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET). Marsha Mason guest stars as Frankie's mom, Pat.

MODERN FAMILY -- "Airport 2010" - For Jay's birthday, Gloria gives him the best surprise, a romantic birthday getaway to Hawaii. The only kicker is that she invited the entire family along. Everyone arrives at the airport, and it's a maddening scene with forgotten I.D.'s, security breaches and flying phobias, on "Modern Family," WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET).

COUGAR TOWN -- "Feel a Whole Lot Better" - Jules and Grayson consider the notion of FWB, friends with benefits. Meanwhile Andy hires a nanny for Ellie, and Travis benefits from Bobby's unconventional plans to make some extra cash, on "Cougar Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 (9:30-10:01 p.m., ET).

HAPPY TOWN - "I Came to Haplin for the Waters" - Shaken by a grisly murder at the local pond and his father's bizarre, self-inflicted injury, Deputy Tommy Conroy reluctantly accepts the title of Sherriff bestowed on him by town matriarch Peggy Haplin. However Tommy's shocking discovery of Jerry Friddle's murderer forces him to keep yet another of the town's secrets with mixed emotions. Meanwhile, Henley appears to know a lot more about Haplin's dark side than she's letting on - drawing Merritt Grieves closer - but she's determined to get access to the forbidden third-floor room of the mysterious boarding house, no matter what it takes, on "Happy Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 5 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

FLASHFORWARD -- "Course Correction" - Demetri and Agent Banks (Alex Kingston) attempt to track down a killer as questions arise about the universe course-correcting itself, when people who thought they'd escaped their fates are found dead; Mark reluctantly agrees to help Simon find his sister, Annabelle, but discovers he's withholding the truth about her true circumstances; the FBI discovers the identity of Suspect Zero; and Nicole learns the whereabouts of Keiko - the woman in Bryce's flashforward - but struggles with whether to share this information, due to her growing feelings for him, on "FlashForward," THURSDAY, MAY 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). James Callis guest stars as Gabriel.

GREY'S ANATOMY -- "How Insensitive" - Bailey preps the team with a mandatory sensitivity training prior to admitting a 700-pound patient with compounded medical issues, and the case proves to be challenging in every sense. Meanwhile Derek has to come face to face with a former patient's husband in a wrongful death deposition, and spending time with a heart patient's daughter opens up some old wounds for Cristina, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, MAY 6 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET).

PRIVATE PRACTICE -- "In the Name of Love" - Naomi puts Fife in a conflicted position when she begs him to help William's advanced ALS with his still experimental treatment. Meanwhile Violet and Amelia (Guest star Caterina Scorsone) treat a woman with a brain tumor who has to choose between life or quality of life, and Sheldon decides to officially throw his hat into the ring for Charlotte's affections, on "Private Practice," THURSDAY, MAY 6 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

WIFE SWAP -- "Beauvais/Clayton" - A successful family of inventors and entrepreneurs living their dreams swap with a family who, despite becoming unemployed, maintain a cheerful outlook while struggling to live in a trailer park on a low income, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, MAY 7 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS - "Episode 2023" -- Part One of a two-part series -- "America's Funniest Home Videos" counts down to "the 20 videos that changed the world" - features the funniest and most unique videos the show has received in its two decades on television, on "America's Funniest Home Videos," SUNDAY, MAY 9 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET). The top video, to be named in the season finale, will win the entrant a cruise for four anywhere in the world that Disney Cruise Line sets sail (with choices including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Mexican Riviera and Alaska), between June 2010 through September 2011. Tom Bergeron is host. The episode includes footage shot aboard the Disney Magic on an Eastern Caribbean cruise.

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION -- "Starkweather family" - In this special story for Mother's Day, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" travels to Tulsa, OK, to meet Toen and Amy Starkweather, whose nine-year-old son, Ethan, suffers from a rare disorder called Prader-Willi syndrome. This incurable disease causes low muscle tone, labored speech, troubled breathing and a malfunctioning hypothalamus, which results in extreme and constant hunger. Because Ethan requires 24-hour care, the mounting list of necessary home repairs has been left on the back burner. The Starkweathers' small home is very old, riddled with foundation, electrical and plumbing problems, and is barely accessible for Ethan. Also in the episode, the Make-a-Wish foundation will have a special guest on hand -- aspiring interior designer Callie London, 11, of Farmington, UT, who suffers from cystic fibrosis. Callie's wish to do a makeover on a kid's room will come to life as she works with Paul DiMeo in designing Ethan's new bedroom. Lilith Tour 2010 artists Sheryl Crow and Miranda Lambert are the "Get on the Bus" volunteers working and singing, while Sarah McLachlan also delivers a special message to the family, on "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," SUNDAY, MAY 9 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES -- "The Ballad of Booth" - Lynette comes to a shocking realization about Eddie, on "Desperate Housewives," SUNDAY, MAY 9 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Meanwhile, Angie discreetly relies on Gaby for help when Patrick threatens the life of her son, Bree offers Sam a generous payoff to walk away, and Susan and Mike's financial woes result in the ultimate sacrifice.

BROTHERS & SISTERS -- "Lights Out" - The Walkers are heartbroken as they prepare to shut the doors of Ojai Foods for good, but new opportunities and secret alliances develop as a result of the family's loss, on "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, MAY 9 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

CASTLE -- "Overkill" -- A robbery-homicide prompts Beckett to invite Demming to assist on a case, giving Castle a ringside seat to their budding romance. When it becomes clear that the two men have very different ideas about how to proceed, the investigation becomes an unspoken competition for Beckett's attention. With each of them racing to be the first to solve the case, Beckett must referee between her two admirers, on "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 10 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET).

LOST -- "Across the Sea" -- TUESDAY, MAY 11 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET). Copy TBD.

V -- "Fruition" - After a violent attack on someone very close to Anna, she delivers a message that the Vs don't feel safe and will be leaving; and Anna also gives a list of possible Fifth Column members to Chad, hoping he'll investigate to help in finding them. Meanwhile, Erica and the team try to track down a scientist who may have created a weapon that the Visitors are afraid of, on "V," TUESDAY, MAY 11 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET).

THE MIDDLE -- "Signals" - The Heck family BBQ is being planned as spring rolls around, and Mike decides it's time for him and Brick to try to be more social at the event, since Frankie has pointed out that Mike's own social ineptness has been passed on to Brick. Meanwhile, Axl sets out to clean the family pool to entice the girls to stop by for a swim -- in their bikinis -- and Sue finally finds someone who totally understands her, church youth group leader Reverend TimTom. But when she learns he may be leaving the parish due to budget cuts, she tries to raise money to help finance his stay, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET).

MODERN FAMILY -- "Hawaii" - Jay could not be happier to do nothing but relax in this tropical paradise, but an unexpected reality check dampens his plans. Meanwhile, Phil is determined to make this trip romantic for Claire, Mitchell and Cameron have opposing views on whether to sightsee or not to sightsee, and the kids get into a little bit of mischief when left to their own devices, on "Modern Family," WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET).

COUGAR TOWN -- "Breakdown" - Jules encourages Travis to submit a graduation speech, on "Cougar Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 (9:30-10:01 p.m., ET). Despite Grayson's warning, a curious Jules reads

the speech without permission and is crushed when she finds she has not been acknowledged. Meanwhile, Ellie uncharacteristically does something nice for Laurie, and Bobby tries to restrain himself from embarrassing Travis on his big day.

HAPPY TOWN -- "Polly Wants a Crack at Her" - An ominous fearsome hawk soars over Haplin's unsuspecting residents as the Thaw Fest celebration is about to start. Tommy must walk a precarious line when it comes to Friddle's murder, as a state investigator moves in to assist him. Andrew Haplin, still upset over girlfriend Georgia's assault, exacts revenge on the person he believes to be the perpetrator -- and pays for the consequences. Meanwhile, when Henley is a victim of a bizarre car accident, a handsome stranger not only comes to her rescue but lures her into a surprising, sensual relationship. And when Thaw Fest finally arrives, it comes with chilling and tragic consequences, on "Happy Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 12 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

FLASHFORWARD -- "The Negotiation" - It's April 28 - the day before the prophesized flashforward date - and as the world waits to see if their future visions will come true, Mark must do everything in his power to protect Gabriel (James Callis, "Battlestar Galactica"), who is the bridge between Dyson Frost and the Global Blackout; Aaron locates his daughter's captors and puts his life on the line in order to rescue her; Janis is tasked with killing a fellow agent; and Simon comes face to face with the head of the nefarious organization that may be responsible for the blackout, on "FlashForward," THURSDAY, MAY 13 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Guest stars include Gabrielle Union as Zoey and Annabeth Gish as Lita.

GREY'S ANATOMY -- "Shiny Happy People" - An elderly patient admitted into the E.R. for a heart condition sees a familiar face, a long lost love who happens to be in the E.R. as well for a fractured arm, and the staff find themselves caught up in their love story. Meanwhile, Karev treats a troubled teenage patient (guest star Demi Lovato) whose parents brought her in for schizophrenia, and Meredith can't help but tell Cristina about her suspicions of Owen -- which inevitably messes with Cristina's head -- on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, MAY 13 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Marion Ross guest stars as Betty.

PRIVATE PRACTICE -- "The End of a Beautiful Friendship" - Maya and her unborn baby are fighting for their lives on the operating table, and Addison, Amelia (Guest star Caterina Scorsone) and Fife try everything humanly possible to save them. Meanwhile, Sam operates on an incoming crash victim and later makes a grim discovery, Cooper makes an ill-timed but valiant effort with Charlotte, and the staff's world is rocked by an unexpected death, on the SEASON FINALE of "Private Practice," THURSDAY, MAY 13 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

WIFE SWAP -- "Haller-Wren/Spencer" - A macho family of football players who expect their trophy wife mom to serve their every need swap lives with a happy hippie family whose feminist mom believes in breaking accepted gender roles, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, MAY 14 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

AMERICA'S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS - "Episode 2024" -- In part two of a two-part series -- the top videos "that changed the world!" - the funniest, the strangest, most unusual video the show has received in its two decades on television is revealed, on the SEASON FINALE of "America's Funniest Home Videos," SUNDAY, MAY 16 (7:00-8:00 p.m., ET). The top video will win the entrant a cruise for four anywhere in the world that Disney Cruise Line sets sail (with choices including the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Mexican Riviera and Alaska), between June 2010 through September 2011. Tom Bergeron is the host. The season finale includes footage shot aboard the Disney Magic on an Eastern Caribbean cruise.

EXTREME MAKEOVER: HOME EDITION -- "Williams family" - In the SEASON FINALE, "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" travels to Pine Mountain Valley, GA, to meet Jeremy and Jennifer Williams, whose son, Jacob, was diagnosed with Spina Bifida before he was born. Then, several years after Jacob's birth, Jeremy was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's disease. The home Jeremy and Jennifer bought 13 years ago is falling apart around them; in addition to mounting repairs, the home is too small to accommodate two disabled family members. NFL Super Star Michael Oher and the Tuohy Family ("The Blind Side") are the "Get on the Bus" volunteers, while ESPN football analysts Herm Edwards, Mark Schlereth, Mark May and Desmond Howard are special guests, plus Demi Lovato (sings) and Wilmer Valderrama (with "Handy Manny") also make appearances, SUNDAY, MAY 16
(8:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES -- "I Guess This is Goodbye" - As a season of mysteries are resolved, new ones emerge on the explosive SEASON FINALE of "Desperate Housewives," SUNDAY, MAY 16 (9:00-10:01 p.m., ET). Gaby risks her safety to help Angie, the fates of Lynette and her unborn child lie in Eddie's hands, Susan comes to grips with her financial woes, Bree considers confessing a secret she's harbored for years, and Angie must submit to Patrick's demands in order to protect her son.

BROTHERS & SISTERS -- "On the Road Again" - As the Walkers try to cope with the sadness and financial ruin that lingers as a result of the closure of Ojai Foods, they discover a small ray of hope in one of William Walker's many secret investments. Meanwhile, Robert's health and the safety of his family are compromised when he finds himself in way over his head in a subversive business deal, and newlyweds Justin and Rebecca consider a trial separation, on the SEASON FINALE of "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, MAY 16 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

CASTLE - "A Deadly Game" - In the SEASON FINALE, nothing is as it seems when Castle and Beckett investigate what appears to be the assassination of an intelligence operative. Meanwhile, Beckett's romance with Demming threatens her relationship with Castle, forcing them to confront their feelings for each other, on "Castle," MONDAY, MAY 17 (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET). Guest stars include Stephen J. Cannell, Michael Connelly and James Patterson as themselves.

LOST -- "What They Died For" -- TUESDAY, MAY 18 (9:00-10:02 p.m., ET). Copy TBD.

V -- In the SEASON FINALE, "Red Sky," the episode opens with the V soldier still on the hunt for Val, whose water breaks and whose baby (with Ryan) will soon be born. Meanwhile Erica, tired of being on the defensive, decides to go on the offensive: She gets herself and Tyler invited up to the Mothership for a get-to-know-everyone-better dinner, but she has more than food on her mind; she's really there to find Anna's soldiers and destroy them. And Chad, after Father Jack asks him to help get a message on the ship to Joshua, discovers the awful truth that Anna's been using him, on "V," TUESDAY, MAY 18 (10:02-11:00 p.m., ET).

THE MIDDLE -- "Average Rules" - After attending year-end school parent-teacher conferences, Frankie and Mike are shocked to discover that Brick may be held back from going to the third grade because the school librarian, Mrs. Nethercott (Guest star Betty White), has it out for him due to his 31 unreturned books. Meanwhile, as Axl's aptitude test results reveal that he's academically gifted, Frankie makes it her mission to get an overlooked Sue the recognition she deserves when her teachers don't even realize she's in their classes, on the SEASON FINALE of "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 (8:30-9:00 p.m., ET).

MODERN FAMILY -- "Family Portrait" - Claire painstakingly plans for a new family portrait to be taken, but it seems everything and everyone is working against her. Meanwhile Gloria and Manny go with Phil and Alex to a Lakers game and end up having a very awkward moment on the jumbotron, Luke interviews Jay for a school project, and Cameron gets a wedding singer gig while Mitchell is home alone with Lily and a wayward pigeon, on the SEASON FINALE of "Modern Family," WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 (9:00-9:30 p.m., ET). Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant Makes a Cameo Appearance.

COUGAR TOWN -- "Finding Out" - Jules and Grayson hatch an elaborate plan to break the news to Bobby they're dating, and Travis sees the wrath of a truly angry woman for the first time when he forgets his momentous seven-month anniversary with Kylie, on the SEASON FINALE of "Cougar Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 (9:30-10:01 p.m., ET).

HAPPY TOWN -- "Slight of Hand" - When Rachel Conroy mysteriously vanishes, an eerie cloud settles over Haplin, as clues point to the return of the elusive Magic Man. Surprisingly, Tommy finds an unlikely ally while desperately searching for his wife. Meanwhile, Handsome Dan announces he has to leave Haplin, then unexpectedly turns up elsewhere. Henley manages to get her stolen property back from Greggy Stiviletto and uses it to blackmail a member of Haplin's powerful "first" family. Finally, Tommy investigates some gruesome evidence that ironically could mean good news for many of Haplin's families, on "Happy Town," WEDNESDAY, MAY 19 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET).

FLASHFORWARD - "Countdown" -- TUESDAY, MAY 25 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Copy TBD.

GREY'S ANATOMY -- "Sanctuary" - In the first hour (9:00-10:00 p.m., ET) of a two-hour SEASON FINALE, Seattle Grace Hospital is hit with a crisis like no other in its history, on "Grey's Anatomy," THURSDAY, MAY 20. In the second hour (10:00-11:00 p.m., ET), "Death and All His Friends," Cristina and Meredith's surgical skills are put to the ultimate test. Mandy Moore ("A Walk to Remember") guest stars.

WIFE SWAP -- "Herrington/Trevino" - A clean-cut family who perform a wholesome variety show swap with a rules-free family of low-riders who let their girls wear and say anything they want, on "Wife Swap," FRIDAY, MAY 21 (8:00-9:00 p.m., ET). Each week two very contradictory families from across the country participate in a two-week-long challenge: The wives exchange husbands, children and lives (but not bedrooms) to discover daily life in another woman's shoes. This astonishing experiment repeatedly changes lives and redefines families.

LOST RECAP SPECIAL -- ABC offers new and avid "Lost" viewers a final glance at one of television's most talked about and critically acclaimed shows. The "Lost" Series Finale Event begins with a two-hour special that takes a look back over the past six seasons of this groundbreaking series. "Lost Recap Special" airs SUNDAY, MAY 23 (7:00-9:00 p.m., ET).

LOST - "The End" -- SERIES FINALE, SUNDAY, MAY 23 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET). Copy TBD.
"JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE" -- Throughout sweeps, Jimmy Kimmel hosts an all-star lineup of guests including, Mickey Rourke, Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Ryan Phillippe, Michael Douglas, Josh Holloway, Jake Gyllenhaal, Teri Hatcher and Courtney Love, and will also have the first interview with the winner of "Dancing with the Stars." In addition, after the final episode of "LOST," longtime fan Jimmy will host an hour-long analysis of and farewell to one of television's most beloved series, with appearances from executive producers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse, alternate endings, and live interviews with cast members, SUNDAY, MAY 23 (11:35 p.m. - 12:35 a.m.). The month of May also brings musical performances from Hole, Stone Temple Pilots, Tim McGraw Godsmack, Angels and Airwaves, Dirty Heads, Slayer, Damian Marley with Nas and Massive Attack, who are making their only U.S. TV appearance. "Jimmy Kimmel Live" airs MONDAY-FRIDAY (12:05 a.m. - 1:05 a.m., ET).

THE BACHELORETTE - Ali Fedotowsky has finally decided to risk it all for love. The energetic and charismatic career-oriented woman from San Francisco has re-prioritized her life - and now love comes out on top. She will have her own opportunity to find her soul mate when the sixth edition of "The Bachelorette" PREMIERES MONDAY, MAY 24 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET), and moves to its regular time slot (8:00-10:02 p.m., ET) on Monday, May 31

Ali, 25, has been a fan favorite from the moment she stepped out of the limo with her sexy raspy voice and a peacock feather to meet Jake Pavelka on the last season of "The Bachelor." She became the front-runner for Jake's heart, but instead they found themselves in a heartbreaking situation when she made a gut-wrenching decision to choose a job she loved over the man she loved. Ali made the surprising safe choice to go back to work, but regretted it immediately. By the time she sorted out her work affairs, Jake had already moved on with his search for love with the three fabulous women who stayed with him, and he did not allow Ali to return. But it's not too late for Ali now. Admitting that she made one of the biggest mistakes of her life, she has let go of everything this time - her apartment, her job, her stability - to really make a life-changing commitment to put her heart first.

DANCING WITH THE STARS - 1010A" -- SEASON FINALE airs on TUESDAY, MAY 25 (9:00-
11:00 p.m., ET).

Source: ABC Media