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On 'L&O: SVU,'
Robin Williams, actor


This being sweeps, NBC pulls in a major talent

Apr 29, 2008

Robin Williams may be best known for his manic comedy routines, but it’s his dramatic performances that have really defined his career, like his poignant turn as a prep school teacher in “Dead Poets Society” or his Oscar-winning portrayal of a mournful therapist in “Good Will Hunting.”

Tonight Williams goes for drama again with a guest spot on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” at 10 p.m. on NBC. He plays an engineer who impersonates a detective after a terrible tragedy in his life causes him to question authority.

Williams’ presence is sure to draw in a few extra viewers, though the NBC drama has been dominating its timeslot even without splashy guest turns. It remains the highest rated “L&O” program, averaging a 4.5 rating this season, and one of the network’s top shows as well.

Tonight’s episode also marks the 200th for the series, which has a lucrative life in syndication as well and just yesterday reached its first weekday distribution deal.

“SVU” is one of NBC’s few surefire timeslot winners.

Though “The Biggest Loser” and “The Office,” the network’s No. 1 reality and comedy show, respectively, are both strong among 18-49s, they face essentially unbeatable competition in Fox’s “American Idol” and ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy.” 

But last week NBC even outpaced the combined competition from ABC’s “Boston Legal” and CBS’s “Shark” rerun in the timeslot, where it will remain on NBC’s new year-round schedule next year.
 

A look at this week’s top TV draws  

MONDAY, APRIL 28  

Time  

Network  

Program  

Description  

7 p.m.  

ESPN  

“Major League Baseball” (S)  

Good American league matchup between the Yankees and Indians.  

8 p.m.  

CW  

“Gossip Girl” (D)  

The juniors prepare to take the SATs and Jenny gets a boyfriend.  

8 p.m.  

ABC  

“Dancing with the Stars” (R)  

Marlee Matlin’s gone, and the remaining six learn new dances.  

9 p.m.  

Fox  

“House” (D)  

Surprise, surprise – House thinks a patient he’s treating is too nice.  

9 p.m.  

VH1  

“Flavor of Love” (R)  

Flav gets to know the parents of the four remaining contestants.  

10 p.m.  

NBC  

“Medium” (D)  

Joe buys Allison a used car, but she has visions of its not-so-happy past.  

10:30 p.m.  

TNT  

“NBA Basketball” (S)  

The Lakers take on the Nuggets in game four of their first-round playoff series.  

TUESDAY, APRIL 29  

Time  

Network  

Program  

Description  

7 a.m.  

ABC  

“Good Morning America” (N)  

Gwyneth Paltrow and Rachael Ray both guest.  

8 p.m.  

Fox  

“American Idol” (R)  

Neil Diamond mentors the final five singers.  

8 p.m.  

CBS  

“NCIS” (D)  

Two members of the team head to Iraq to investigate what could be a murder case.  

9 p.m.  

ABC  

“Dancing with the Stars” (R)  

Who will get bounced this week?  

9 p.m.  

Discovery  

“Deadliest Catch” (R)  

Sig and Edgar see who can fish the longest without sleeping.  

10 p.m.  

NBC  

“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (D)  

Robin Williams guests as an engineer who poses as a cop.  

10 p.m.  

FX  

“The Riches” (D)  

Season finale. Dahlia and Wayne drift even farther apart and there’s an accident at the construction site.  

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30  

Time  

Network  

Program  

Description  

7 a.m.  

NBC  

“Today” (N)  

Bob Costas and Tyra Banks both guest.  

7 p.m.  

Versus  

“NHL Hockey” (S)  

Game four of the second-round series between the Canadiens and Flyers.  

8 p.m.  

CW  

“America’s Next Top Model” (R)  

One wannabe wins a Roman shopping spree and the girls do a photo shoot at a castle.  

9 p.m.  

Fox  

“American Idol” (R)  

After tonight the final four wannabe singers will be revealed.  

9 p.m.  

CW  

“Farmer Wants a Wife” (R)  

Series premiere. A “Bachelor”-style reality competition in which 10 city women vie for the affections of a farmer.  

10 p.m.  

CBS  

“CSI: NY” (D)  

The taxicab killer makes his presence felt once again.  

10 p.m.  

MTV  

“The Real World” (R)  

Dave and Kim try the old “friends with benefits” arrangement.  

THURSDAY, MAY 1  

Time  

Network  

Program  

Description  

7 p.m.  

ESPN2  

“MLS Soccer” (S)  

New York takes on Toronto up north.  

8 p.m.  

ABC  

“Ugly Betty” (D)  

Renee becomes convinced that Betty is in love with Daniel. But girlfriend’s already got enough problems with her two men.  

8 p.m.  

NBC  

“My Name is Earl” (C)  

Darnell and Joy move into the Crab Shack.  

9 p.m.  

CBS  

“CSI” (D)  

The team looks into a string of murders in which all the victims have green blood.  

9 p.m.  

ABC  

“Grey’s Anatomy” (D)  

Addison makes an appearance to perform a surgery, and get into other drama, of course.  

9 p.m.  

NBC  

“The Office” (C)  

Stanley yells at Michael during a meeting, so Michael tries to change his attitude.  

10 p.m.  

ABC  

“Lost” (D)  

Kate and Juliet have to work together to save Jack.  

FRIDAY, MAY 2  

Time  

Network  

Program  

Description  

8 p.m.  

CBS  

“Ghost Whisperer” (D)  

Payne’s wife’s ghost gets jealous when an ex of his shows up.  

8 p.m.  

CMT  

“Can You Duet” (R)  

Twelve teams of two are coached by Aimee Mayo then compete in front of judges.  

9 p.m.  

ABC  

“Duel” (G)  

A two-time champion returns to win more money.  

9 p.m.  

CBS  

“Moonlight” (D)  

Mick works for an actress who thinks the paparazzi are going too far.  

10 p.m.  

Sci Fi Channel  

“Battlestar Galactica” (D)  

Kara and her crew become tense as they search for Earth.  

10 p.m.  

CBS  

“Numb3rs” (D)  

The feds look into a mass suicide at a cult compound.  

SATURDAY, MAY 3  

Time  

Network  

Program  

Description  

3 p.m.  

CBS  

“PGA Golf” (S)  

Third round of the Wachovia Championship, from Charlotte, N.C.  

3:30 p.m.  

Fox  

“Major League Baseball” (S)  

Either Cubs-Cards, Orioles-Angels or Mets-Diamondbacks.  

5 p.m.  

NBC  

“Horse Racing” (S)  

The Kentucky Derby, live from Churchill Downs.  

7 p.m.  

Fox  

“NASCAR Racing” (S)  

The Crown Royal Dan Lowry 400 from Richmond, Va.  

8 p.m.  

Biography  

“Mobsters” (N)  

A look at the life of Henry Hill, the main character from the movie “Goodfellas.”  

10 p.m.  

HBO  

“Boxing” (S)  

Oscar De La Hoya takes on former “Contender” contestant Steve Forbes.  

SUNDAY, MAY 4  

Time  

Network  

Program  

Description  

1 p.m.  

ABC  

“NBA Basketball” (S)  

The first of an NBA playoff doubleheader, teams still to be determined.  

3 p.m.  

CBS  

“PGA Golf” (S)  

Final round of the Wachovia Championship, won by Tiger Woods a year ago.  

8 p.m.