CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- The network premieres of "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and "Unbreakable" as well as the long-delayed debut of Madeline L'Engle's "A Wrinkle in Time" are among the events listed as being part of ABC's preliminary May sweeps schedule released this week.
"Time," which has been on ABC's shelf since 2001, will finally bow under the network's "The Wonderful World of Disney" banner on Saturday, May 15 at 8:00/7:00c. Here's how the Alphabet's press materials describe the three-hour project:
For 40 years, Madeline L'Engle's award-winning classic has enchanted millions of young readers worldwide. The story follows Meg (Katie Stuart), her brilliant brother Charles (David Dorfman), and their friend Calvin (Gregory Smith), on a quest to rescue her scientist father (Chris Potter) from the dark forces of another galaxy. Aided by three remarkable ladies from a distant time, Meg must confront her own weaknesses before she can summon the will and strength to triumph. "A Wrinkle in Time" airs as a presentation of "The Wonderful World of Disney" on Satuday, May 15 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.
Alfre Woodard, Kate Nelligan, Alison Elliott and Sean Cullen also star in the telefilm. The news marks the third shelved project ABC has dusted off this season; the others being "Judas" earlier this month and Monday's "N.T.S.B.: The Crash of Flight 323." Still missing air dates however are the extreme sports-themed "The X-Team" and the small screen prequel "Romy and Michele: In the Beginning."
As for theatricals "Harry Potter" and "Unbreakable," the former will debut on Sunday, May 7 at 7:00/6:00c as a four-hour presentation with the latter on Monday, May 3 at 8:00/7:00c in a three-hour block.
Also in the works for May according to previous announcements:
-- Two 1980s telefilm revivals: "Dynasty: Behind the Scenes" and "The Growing Pains Movie 2: Home Equity" (both air dates yet to be announced).
-- A second serving of "Super Millionaire," although it's not clear when or how many nights the "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire" rebirth will air.
-- New helpings of the network's Robin Leach-hosted series "Life of Luxury" as well as the possible launch of "Deal or No Deal," ABC's latest game show entry.
Lastly, May means season finales for most series:
-- "I'm With Her" (May 4), "The Big House" (May 7), "Hope & Faith" (May 14), "America's Funniest Home Videos" (May 16), "The Practice" (May 16) and "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital" (May 26) have been given firm exit dates while "N.Y.P.D. Blue," "The George Lopez Show," "Extreme Makeover," "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition," "Alias," "Eight Simple Rules," "According to Jim," "Less Than Perfect," "My Wife and Kids" and "The Bachelor" will close their seasons on to be determined dates.
Here's a breakdown of all the network's May sweeps offerings. Please note that all air dates are subject to change. Episode titles, if available, are listed alongside each respective series.
Thursday, April 29
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - "Extreme Makeover"
10:00/9:00c - "Primetime Thursday"
Friday, April 30
8:00/7:00c - "The George Lopez Show"
8:30/7:30c - "The Big House: The Anniversary Party"
9:00/8:00c - "Hope & Faith: Jack's Back" (Robert Wagner, Tony Curtis and Jenny Mccarthy Guest Star)
9:30/8:30c - (To Be Announced)
10:00/9:00c - "20/20"
Saturday, May 1
8:00/7:00c - "Movie: Remember the Titans" (Repeat)
Sunday, May 2
7:00/6:00c - "America's Funniest Home Videos: Episode 1421"
8:00/7:00c - "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition"
9:00/8:00c - "Alias" (Two-Hour Season Finale)*
Monday, May 3
8:00/7:00c - "Movie: Unbreakable" (Network Premiere)
Tuesday, May 4
8:00/7:00c - "Eight Simple Rules"
8:30/7:30c - "I'm With Her: I'm Not With Her" (Season Finale, Nick Lachey Guest Stars)
9:00/8:00c - "According to Jim"
9:30/8:30c - "Less Than Perfect: Claude's Roxanne"
10:00/9:00c - "N.Y.P.D. Blue"
Wednesday, May 5
8:00/7:00c - "My Wife and Kids: The Maid"
8:30/7:30c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - "The Bachelor: Episode 505"
10:00/9:00c - "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital"
Thursday, May 6
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - "Extreme Makeover"
10:00/9:00c - "Primetime Thursday"
Friday, May 7
8:00/7:00c - "The George Lopez Show"
8:30/7:30c - "The Big House: Kevin's Birthday" (Season Finale)
9:00/8:00c - "Hope & Faith: Trade Show"
9:30/8:30c - (To Be Announced)
10:00/9:00c - "20/20"
Saturday, May 8
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
Sunday, May 9
7:00/6:00c - "Movie: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (Network Premiere)
Monday, May 10
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
Tuesday, May 11
8:00/7:00c - "Eight Simple Rules"
8:30/7:30c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - "According to Jim"
9:30/8:30c - "Less Than Perfect: The Pimp Hat"
10:00/9:00c - "N.Y.P.D. Blue" (Season Finale)*
Wednesday, May 12
8:00/7:00c - "My Wife and Kids: Hand Model"
8:30/7:30c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - "The Bachelor: Episode 506"
10:00/9:00c - "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital"
Thursday, May 13
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - "Extreme Makeover" (Season Finale)*
10:00/9:00c - "Primetime Thursday"
Friday, May 14
8:00/7:00c - "The George Lopez Show" (One-Hour Season Finale)*
9:00/8:00c - "Hope & Faith: Daytime Emmys, Parts I & II" (One-Hour Season Finale)
10:00/9:00c - "20/20"
Saturday, May 15
8:00/7:00c - "Original Movie: A Wrinkle in Time"
Sunday, May 16
7:00/6:00c - "America's Funniest Home Videos: Episode 1422" (Season Finale)
8:00/7:00c - "Extreme Makeover: Home Edition" (Season Finale)*
9:00/8:00c - "The Practice" (Two-Hour Series Finale - Special Time)*
Please note that from May 17 forward, the schedule is based on projections using the network's previous May sweeps programming decisions.
Monday, May 17
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
Tuesday, May 18
8:00/7:00c - "Eight Simple Rules" (One-Hour Season Finale)*
9:00/8:00c - "According to Jim" (Season Finale)*
9:30/8:30c - "Less Than Perfect" (Season Finale)*
10:00/9:00c - (To Be Announced)
Wednesday, May 19
8:00/7:00c - "My Wife and Kids" (One-Hour Season Finale)*
9:00/8:00c - "The Bachelor: The Women Tell All"*
10:00/9:00c - "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital"
Thursday, May 20
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - (To Be Announced)
10:00/9:00c - "Primetime Thursday"
Friday, May 21
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - (To Be Announced)
10:00/9:00c - "20/20"
Saturday, May 22
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
Sunday, May 23
7:00/6:00c - (To Be Announced)
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - "The Bachelor" (Two-Hour Season Finale - Special Night)*
Monday, May 24
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
Tuesday, May 25
8:00/7:00c - (To Be Announced)
9:00/8:00c - (To Be Announced)
10:00/9:00c - (To Be Announced)
Wednesday, May 26
8:00/7:00c - "The Bachelor: After the Final Rose"*
9:00/8:00c - "Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital" (Two-Hour Season Finale)
* denotes a tentative date
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