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Star wars: For
sweeps, a bigger 'Deal'


Characters from the 1977 movie root for contestants

Apr 28, 2008

Sweeps are often full of special guest stars, but usually you expect them in Emmy-bait roles on scripted series.

Instead, tonight a host of them will pop up on a special two-hour edition of the game show “Deal or No Deal” on NBC at 8 p.m.

On this “Star Wars”-themed episode, airing on the first Monday of sweeps, Carrie Fisher (who played Princess Leia in the 1977 original and its two sequels), Chewbacca and R2D2 all help cheer on the show’s contestants, while Darth Vader takes over the purse strings for the banker. Meanwhile, the models will be dressed in the classic “Return of the Jedi” gold bikini.

This episode also has another twist, as two contestants will be taking on each other, each playing their own game, with the victor taking home all the winnings. Whichever one finishes with the higher total takes their money and their competitor’s.

“Deal” could use a bit of bolstering on Monday. Though President Bush filmed a special advance guest shot for last week’s episode, the show tied its worst Monday night rating ever, averaging a 2.7.

Still, that’s probably more symptomatic of having to face strong competition in ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” Fox’s returning “Bones” and CBS’s revived sitcom lineup than a reflection on the show itself. Plus, last week’s episode was also two hours.

When the show is only an hour, it usually performs better. This season it’s averaging a 3.7 on Mondays.

 

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.

CBS

“Cold Case” (D)