Media Life
Homepage



TV This Week

Cooties: ABC's
horrific avian flu flick


The story is fictional but the threat quite real

May 9, 2006

There's nothing like a potential pandemic to rouse audiences, especially as a movie of the week airing during sweeps and on a network that could use the boost. Thus tonight's movie, from ABC: "Fatal Contact: Bird Flu in America," airing at 8 p.m.

ABC points out that while this film is meticulously researched, it's still a fictional account of what could happen should avian flu break out in the U.S. This scenario has an American businessman bringing the virus home after a trip to China. The end result is horrific, with millions of people worldwide dying from the flu.

It wasn’t that long ago that travelers were worried that the SARS outbreak would result in a similar tragedy. Who can forget the images of people walking around airports in Asia and Canada wearing facemasks?

The ABC two-hour movie's purpose is to entertain, but the filmmakers have also claimed that if they can scare viewers into being aware of the virus and prepare for what could happen, then the movie will have served its purpose.

Of course for ABC the purpose is to boost ratings on its struggling Tuesday night, where it ranks fourth among the Big Four in 18-49s. Any bump over its 3.1 season average could help it catch up to Fox, which already has a big sweeps lead.

 

A look at this week’s top TV draws

TUESDAY, MAY 9

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

WB

"Gilmore Girls" (C)

It's a bittersweet season finale for the fast-talking mother-daughter team of Lorelai and Rory, who will move to the CW next year.

8 p.m.

UPN

"Veronica Mars" (D)

It's graduation day for our gang, and a real nice graduation gift for viewers would be for the CW to pick this plucky little series up for a third season.

9 p.m.

NBC

"Scrubs" (C)

Dr. Cox's confidence is at an all-time low and Eliot takes it upon herself to cheer him up. She apparently doesn't remember all the times he's referred to her as "Barbie."

9:25 p.m.

Showtime

"Ong-Bak: The Thai Warrior" (M)

Now that Jackie Chan isn’t doing all his stunts anymore, Phanom Yeeram is ready to take over.

9:30 p.m.

MTV

"8th & Ocean" (R)

The model reality show ends its first season with more twin drama as Kelly gets a job offer from her sister's former client.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 10

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

Fox

"American Idol" (R)

And then there were three. This results show will reveal which contestants get to remain and warble their hearts out.

8 p.m.

ABC

"Alias" (D)

Finally, we get to see more of Sydney's beloved Vaughn, who isn't quite dead.

9 p.m.

NBC

"Law & Order" (D)

Michael Imperioli takes a break from "The Sopranos" to try to crack a case in which he's the prime suspect.

9 p.m.

ABC

"Lost" (D)

We learn whether Libby survived Michael's gun shot. Also, Locke and Mr. Ecko whup some island butt.

10 p.m.

Discovery Health

"Ultimate Plastic Surgery: Before & After" (R)

The anti-"Dr. 90210." Doctors show what plastic surgery can do for patients with actual serious disfigurements. Not that big noses and flat chests aren't.

11:35 p.m.

NBC

"Tonight Show" (T)

Nick Lachey makes an appearance to bleat out his latest Jessica-done-him-wrong ballad.

THURSDAY, MAY 11

Time

Network

Program

Description

8 p.m.

WB

"Smallville" (D)

The season finale ends with Lois and Martha in peril, and Lana oblivious to Clark's considerable charms.

8 p.m.

Fox

"That '70s Show" (C)

First Kelso, then Hyde, now Fez? Jackie, Jackie, Jackie--girlfriend needs to aim higher.

8 p.m.

PBS

"Soundstage" (T)

Backed by a 16-piece orchestra, Sheryl Crow sings cuts from her album "Wildflower."

8:40 p.m.

NBC

"My Name Is Earl" (C)

Earl and his brother wait for karma to slap them some good luck, but end up broke instead.

11:35 p.m.

NBC

"Tonight Show" (T)

Jay Leno had better nail down his sofa. Tom Cruise makes an appearance to chat about his baby, his fiancé and "Mission Impossible III."

FRIDAY, MAY 12

Time

Network

Program

Description

7:30 p.m.

The N

"Instant Star" (R)

With her CD all done, Jude's record label throws her a celebratory shindig in this season finale.

8 p.m.

CBS

"Keith Barry: Extraordinary" (T)

Ireland's Keith Barry leaves the creepy magic stuff to the likes of David Blaine and charms celebs like Jessica Simpson and Rachel Hunter with his more traditional card games.

8:30 p.m.

FX

"Auto Racing: NASCAR Busch Series" (S)

Matt Kenseth beat Kenny Wallace in this event last year. Tonight, in the live event, the drivers are looking to shake things up again on Darlington Raceway, NASCAR's oldest big track.

9 p.m.

NBC

"Las Vegas" (D)

There's a big wedding planned for the third-season finale. Guests sharing a nice chicken dinner at the reception include Dean Cain, Jerry O'Connell and uberchef Wolfgang Puck.

9 p.m.

BBC America

"The Thick of It" (C)

Satirical like "The Office" (the original British version), this English series stars Chris Langham as a government official who doesn't quite have what it takes to get the job done.

SATURDAY, MAY 13

Time

Network

Program

Description

6 p.m.

HGTV

"International Furniture Show 2006) (T)

Check out all the furniture you love and can't afford. Hosted by Gail O'Neill and Mark Totty, whose last name is very fun.

8 p.m.

CNN

"Chasing Angelina--Paparazzi and Celebrity Obsession" (T)

A documentary about the stars and the paparazzi who love them. Or who love to make money off of them, anyhow.

8 p.m.

TLC

"Little People, Big World" (R)

The Roloffs have won enough viewers to warrant a second season. In the first-season finale, Zach nervously prepares to go on his first date.

9 p.m.

Starz

"Lords of Dogtown" (M)

Heath Ledger stars in this extreme skateboarding flick where the stunts are more important than the plot.

10:30 p.m.

Cartoon

"Justice League Unlimited" (K)

Aw heck, there's no school tomorrow. Let the kids stay up late to catch the season finale, where the heroes must form an alliance to beat their foes.

SUNDAY, MAY 14

Time

Network

Program

Description

7:30 p.m.

Fox

"King of the Hill" (C)

Tom Petty lends his voice to the 10th-season finale as Lucky, who's out to win Luanne's hand in marriage.

8 p.m.

CBS

"Survivor: Panama--Exile Island" (R)

The first two hours shows the players being narrowed down to the final two contestants. The winner is announced in the third hour, which takes place on a live reunion show.

8 p.m.

NBC

"West Wing (D)

The critically acclaimed drama ends with a series finale that will tug at heartstrings. Bartlet leaves the White House after Santos is inaugurated.

8:30 p.m.

Fox

"Malcolm in the Middle" (C)

Malcom finally escapes his loving but annoying, dysfunctional family as he prepares for life at Harvard. This is also the show's swansong episode.

8 p.m.

NBC

"Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (D)

The crime drama ends its season with two back-to-back episodes. The first showcases the sleuthing techniques of hinky Goren and Eames as they try to nab an arsonist. The second has Logan and Barek searching for a killer who bludgeoned his last victims.

9 p.m.

VH1

"Surreal Life" (R)

This tacky (but addictive) series ends its sixth season with Tawny Kitaen finally doing what she's wanted to all year long--stripping off her clothes to show she's still as hot as her Playboy centerfold roomie.

A = awards show or special, C = comedy, D = drama, DD = daytime drama, G = game show, K = kids, M = movie, N = news/documentary, R = reality, S = sports, T = talk/variety show.

 



Jae-Ha Kim is a Chicago writer.




Latest headlines
Less Sparks: 'Idol' finale off 19 percent
Buyers pick ABC to lead in the upfront
Fact is, we've learned to accept spam
Tribute to Jay Leno, in his own words
Rachel, the guy is buds with my boss
Best tube bets this weekend

May sweeps: Fox leads ABC by 0.1 in adults 18-49
Bancroft family on Rupe: We're still not interested
Poll: Iowans trust traditional media for caucus news
Wheeling and dealing: XM courts used car owners
Maury in Montana: TV yakker launches newspaper

IAB: Online ad revenue hits record $16.9B in 2006
Internet radio stations reject royalties compromise
Bud wiser: A-B says failed TV site will fade away
Study: Web's the place to build buzz on entertainment