The February sweeps aren't all that sweeping this year because of CBS' 17-day coverage of the Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. The international sports event not only takes up more than half of the network's prime-time schedule for the month, but also intimidates rivals from throwing big-budget programming against it.
So you'll have to wait until May for the big blockbuster. (February, May and November are the months when networks prime the programming pumps to help their local stations, which are surveyed during these periods. The ratings help determine how much advertisers are charged for commercial time.)
Still, there is some high-profile programming between now and March 4, when the sweeps end. ABC, in particular, is charging ahead with a four-hour documentary on Motown, a four-hour drama from executive producer Oprah Winfrey and a celebration of 30 years of "Sesame Street."
Fox has an "X-Files" episode on tap that was co-written by none other than Stephen King. NBC is countering the Olympics with the broadcast premieres of such theatrical films as "Crimson Tide," "Tommy Boy" and "A Circle of Friends."
Cable's offerings include Spike Lee's acclaimed documentary "4 Little Girls," a new Disney Channel documentary series and the HBO satire, "The Pentagon Wars," starring Kelsey Grammer.
Here are some of the month's highlights:
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| Courtesy of Buena Vista Pictures "Oh, Pocahontas, isn't it great that we're making our network debut on March 1 as part of ABC's rejuvenated 'Wonderful World of Disney'?" |
* "Motown 40: The Music Is Forever:" Diana Ross hosts this four-hour special commemorating the 40th anniversary of Motown Records. Smokey Robinson, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey, Sean "Puffy" Combs and Berry Gordy are among those featured. Feb. 15 and 19.
* "Elmopalooza!:" Jon Stewart hosts a musical tribute to "Sesame Street," featuring classic songs from the children's series and original music videos performed by Elmo and Jim Henson's Muppets. Feb. 20.
* "Oprah Winfrey Presents: The Wedding": Halle Berry, Lynn Whitfield, Carl Lumbly, Eric Thal and Michael Warren star in a drama about an black woman with only two days to decide if she should marry a poor, white musician or a successful, seductive black man. Feb. 22-23.
* "Home Improvement": Tim and Jill discuss having a baby girl in tonight's episode, then find in the Feb. 24 installment that one of their sons is smoking pot.
* "Pocahontas": Mel Gibson, Irene Bedard and David Ogden Stiers supply the voices for the 1995 Disney animated blockbuster. March 1.
* "Christopher Reeve: Circle of Friends": All-star benefit to honor the actor-director and to raise money for the Christopher Reeve Foundation. March 1.
CBS
* "The Grammy Awards": Kelsey Grammer makes his debut as host of the three-hour extravaganza honoring the best in music. Feb. 25.
* "The Long Way Home": Jack Lemmon and Betty Garrett star in a drama directed by Glenn Jordan. March 1.
* "The Winter Olympics": The action begins Friday and continues through Feb. 22.
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| Courtesy of Fox Television Network Gillian Anderson and David Duchovny find themselves embroiled in many conspiracies on "The X-Files" this month, with one episode penned by Stephen King. |
* "The X-Files": Besides the episode from horror master King (airing Sunday), Fox's most popular series also will feature a two-parter in which Mulder uncovers new evidence of extraterrestrial existence. Feb. 22 and March 1.
* "The World's Scariest Police Chases 4:" A new edition hosted by retired Oregon Lt. Sheriff John Bunnell. Feb. 17.
* "Moment of Impact": Bunnell also hosts this special, featuring National Safety Transportation Board footage of highway mishaps. Feb. 17.
* "Daredevils Live! Shattering the Records:" Two hours of first-time-ever, record-breaking stunts. Feb. 24.
* "Breaking the Magician's Code: Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed 2": Mitch Pileggi hosts this sequel to last year's blockbuster. March 3.
* "Party of Five": The season cliffhanger finds Charlie receiving his final test results for cancer. March 4.
NBC
* Theatrical films: The roster includes "Circle of Friends" on Feb. 13, "Tommy Boy" on Feb. 14, "Something to Talk About" on Feb. 15 and "Crimson Tide" on Feb. 22.
* "Mad About You": Series star Helen Hunt makes her directorial debut with Sydney Pollack guest-starring as the Buchmans' new marriage counselor. Feb. 24.
* "The 14th Annual Soap Opera Awards": Leeza Gibbons and Drake Hogestyn host the show, in which fans vote for their favorite soap stars and daytime series. Feb. 27.
* "The Gold Champions" Three-hour ice skating special. Feb. 28.
* "Frasier": Bebe Neuwirth returns as Lilith and shocks everyone by revealing her seductive, feminine side. March 3.
* Garth Brooks: The country superstar headlines a new special. March 4.
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| Courtesy of Columbia Pictures Spike Lee's documentary "4 Little Girls" premieres Feb. 23 on HBO. |
* "4 Little Girls": Spike Lee's documentary about the tragedy of a bomb that tore through the basement of a black Baptist church in Birmingham, Ala., in the early 1960s. HBO, Feb. 23.
* "Spytek": Roger Moore narrates a three-part series examining the secret world of spy technology. Discovery, Feb. 23.
* "Bug Juice": New 18-part documentary series for kids that captures the experience of summer camp. Disney Channel. Sneak preview on Feb. 28; the series officially begins March 1.
* "The Sweetest Gift:" Helen Shaver and Diahann Carroll star in a drama about two families, divided by racial and social attitudes, who learn the true meaning of friendship. Showtime, Feb. 28.
* "The Pentagon Wars": Kelsey Grammer and Cary Elwes star in a satire about government spending gone awry. HBO Feb. 28.
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