Angel

Welcome to network TV’s version of the Last Hurrah.

Before summer arrives, the commercial networks scramble to prove to advertisers that viewers are watching their shows - the better to justify fall ad rates.

You can count on guest stars, major plot twists and overly hyped finales beginning Thursday and running through May 26.

The highlights:

Perhaps you haven’t heard, but NBC’s “Friends” concludes in a one-hour episode on May 6. Just before the episode (appropriately titled “The Last One”), the network will air a one-hour retrospective. The gang will appear later that night on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” live from the Central Perk set.

Despite what NBC would have you believe, “Friends” is not the only show ending. On May 13, Kelsey Grammer will say goodbye to the character he has played for 20 years (first on “Cheers,” then on his own show) in the series finale of NBC’s “Frasier.” The finale will also be preceded by a one-hour clipfest.

Nikki (Mo’Nique) may finally get her man on the series finale of UPN’s “The Parkers” on May 10. Dylan McDermott reprises the role of Bobby Donnell for the final two episodes of ABC’s “The Practice.” The David E. Kelley drama comes to a close on May 16 but not before Kelley sets up Alan Shore (James Spader) for a spinoff for next season.

Despite the heroic efforts of devout fans, Angel (David Boreanaz) will stake his last vampire in the May 19 episode of WB’s “Angel.” Vincent Kartheiser returns as Angel’s son Connor, and before the series ends, familiar faces Darla (Julie Benz), Drusilla (Juliet Landau), Andrew (Tom Lenk) and Lindsay (Christian Kane) will pop up. Alas, Sarah Michelle Gellar will not be returning as vampire slayer Buffy Summers.

Even though sweeps doesn’t officially end until May 26, many shows will end their seasons early. Jennifer Lopez sings at Karen (Megan Mullally) and Lyle’s (John Cleese) Vegas wedding on the season finale of “Will & Grace” on Thursday at 9 p.m. on WHDH (Ch. 7). Although onscreen hubby Leo (Harry Connick Jr.) will show up, don’t look for Grace. Debra Messing was on maternity leave when the episode was filmed.

Gold digger Julie (Melinda Cooper) marries Caleb (Alan Dale) in the season finale of “The O.C.” on May 5. It’s a good guess that quips, brooding and punches are on the guest list.

We’ll find out if “Boston Rob” can win “Survivor: All-Stars” during the two-hour May 9 finale. Immediately after the live announcement of the winner, Jeff Probst hosts a reunion of all 18 survivors from Madison Square Garden.

Jesse Palmer picks his lucky lady in the two-hour finale of ABC’s “The Bachelor” on May 19. And the fate of UPN’s ratings-challenged “Star Trek: Enterprise” hangs in the balance. The May 26 episode could be the final voyage for this starship.

Will John Stevens actually make it to the third “American Idol” finale on May 26? And since “24” has proved its willingness to kill off anyone, we all should be a little concerned for Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) on the third season finale of Fox’s “24” on May 25.

“CSI: New York” is one of the few new shows that is a lock for next season. To set up that spin-off, Horatio (David Caruso) will visit two detectives (Gary Sinise and Melina Kanakaredes) in the Big Apple on the May 17 episode of “CSI: Miami.”

Isn’t it funny how familiar faces always visit during May? Dan Futterman returns to CBS’ “Judging Amy” in time for the May 18 finale. Barry Watson and David Gallagher return as brothers Matt and Simon beginning May 10 on WB’s “7th Heaven.” Milo Ventimiglia pops up on WB’s “Gilmore Girls” on May 11.

Heather Locklear reunites with her “Spin City” co-star Charlie Sheen on “Two and a Half Men” on Monday at 9:30 p.m. on WBZ (Ch. 4). Adam Arkin plays the new principal and potential love interest for Cate (Katey Sagal) on “8 Simple Rules” beginning May 11. And Susan Lucci visits her ex-”All My Children” co-star Kelly Ripa on ABC’s “Hope & Faith” on May 14.

From Bignewsnetwork.com :

Angel to rescue Buffy one last time

Big News Network.com Friday 23rd April, 2004

Sarah Michelle Gellar may not ever appear on Angel again, but her iconic character Buffy will reportedly factor into the TV drama’s final episodes.

Angel is a spin-off of Gellar’s WB vampire Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which ended its seven-year run last spring.

The WB announced in February Angel would not be back next fall, leaving legions of fans to wonder if Gellar would appear on Angel to tie up loose ends — particularly whether her small-screen alter-ego would end up with brooding do-gooder Angel, played by David Boreanaz or witty bad boy Spike, played by James Marsters.

Though Gellar will not make an appearance on the show, the May 5 episode is about Angel and Spike heading to Rome to rescue Buffy from an old foe, The Immortal, at the behest of Buffy alum Andrew, played by Tom Lenk, said Zap2it.com.

Buffy and Angel characters Darla, played by Julie Benz, and Drusilla, played by Juliet Landau, appear in flashback scenes.

The series is set to end May 19.

From Centredaily.com :

Buffy’s back (kind of) for ’Angel’ countdown

As "Angel" nears its May 19 finale, it’s looking like Joss Whedon will stick to his vow not to clutter up the last few episodes with characters from "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."

That’s not to say, however, that Buffy is not a presence on the show. In fact, one of the final episodes will revolve around Angel and Spike trying to rescue her from an old foe.

"The Girl in Question," the episode scheduled for May 5, will find the two soul-cursed vampires (David Boreanaz and James Marsters) heading for Rome at the behest of Buffy cohort Andrew (Tom Lenk).

Darla (Julie Benz) and Drusilla (Juliet Landau) appear in flashback scenes, but Buffy herself (Sarah Michelle Gellar) doesn’t show up in the episode. Whedon has said that he doesn’t want to overshadow "Angel’s" core characters by having Gellar or other "Buffy" stars around for the finale.

TBS goes for laughs with unscripted ’Gilligan’

TBS has greenlit an unscripted update of "Gilligan’s Island" for later this year, although presumably the show won’t keep its castaways stranded on an island for 98 episodes.

The 21st-century take on the 1960s sitcom comes from "Bachelor" creator Mike Fleiss.

The show, along with several other unscripted series and its syndicated sitcoms, is part of an effort to re-brand TBS as a comedy network, with the grammatically suspect "tbs very funny" as its tagline.

"Gilligan’s Island" is scheduled to premiere in the fall. In line with the original series, the show will cast an actual boat captain, first mate, actress, professor, millionaire couple and farm girl and strand them on a remote island. They then must work together to get back to civilization.