The WB’s May Sweep

(April 20, 2005 - Burbank, CA) — Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne share the small screen when The WB Network’s May Sweep presents the world premiere of exclusive footage from the highly anticipated feature film "Batman Begins." The eight-minute trailer will air during the special 90-minute season finale of "Smallville" on Wednesday, May 18. Action footage and other bonus content from the film, which looks at the origins of Bruce Wayne’s transformation into Batman, is being produced especially for The WB by Warner Bros. Pictures and the film’s production team. It’s an action-packed month on "Smallville" beginning May 4, when Clark (Tom Welling) and Lana (Kristin Kreuk) care for an abandoned baby with unusual abilities. On May 11, guest star Jane Seymour (“Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman”) returns as Jason’s (Jensen Ackles) mother, and Lana’s desperate actions lead to her being wanted for murder. In the special extended finale episode on May 18, Clark’s nightmare of impending disaster becomes all too real when a catastrophe hits the town and lives are changed forever. Also on Wednesday nights, the critically acclaimed drama "Jack and Bobby" features a May 4 episode in which Jack (Matt Long) goes against Grace’s (Christine Lahti) wishes and heroically takes the blame for the fatal car crash to protect his friend Marcus (Edwin Hodge). In the thrilling season finale on May 11, Lou Diamond Phillips (“La Bamba,” “Hollywood Homicide”) guest stars as the father who abandoned the family years before. Also in the finale, details about Jack’s heartbreaking death and Bobby’s (Logan Lerman) path to the White House are revealed. The stellar guest cast includes Academy Award-winning actor Tim Robbins (“Mystic River“) as the voice of President McCallister, author Gore Vidal (“Lincoln”) as the host of the McCallister documentary and groundbreaking producer Norman Lear (“All In The Family”) as the elderly Peter Benedict, Bobby’s future father-in-law. On Tuesday nights, the "Gilmore Girls" wrap up an exceptional season with both Lorelai (Lauren Graham) and Rory (Alexis Bledel) in turmoil. On May 3, when Rory brings Logan (Matt Czuchry) to dinner at Richard (Edward Hermann) and Emily’s (Kelly Bishop) house, Lorelai isn’t thrilled with what she sees. Rory’s internship at a newspaper owned by Logan’s father takes a surprising turn on May 10, and in the season finale on May 17, Rory’s decision to ignore Lorelai’s advice and turn to her grandparents for support leads to a serious rift between mother and daughter. Also, on Tuesday nights, a racecar crash on "One Tree Hill" leaves Nathan (James Lafferty) badly injured on May 3. On May 10, still in a coma, Nathan dreams of the world that might have been if his and Lucas’ (Chad Michael Murray) circumstances were reversed. Musical guest “Jimmy Eat World” performs at Tric, and things heat up between Lucas and Brooke (Sophia Bush) in the two-hour season finale on May 24. Monday highlights include the May 2 episode of "7TH Heaven," when the Camdens come face-to-face with the reality of hunger in America. Information regarding food stamps is included at the end of the episode. On May 9, Simon (David Gallagher) awaits the results of his STD test, and the family learns of new hope in the fight against sickle cell anemia through the work of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In the two-part season finale, airing May 16 and 23, Simon and his girlfriend discuss celibacy, Matt (Barry Watson) learns of Mary’s (Jessica Biel, who does not appear in the episodes) failed marriage, and news of an engagement takes Eric (Stephen Collins), Annie (Catherine Hicks) and the entire family by surprise. On the May 9 episode of the critically acclaimed drama "Everwood," Ephram (Gregory Smith), still wrestling with his emotions over Madison’s (guest star Sarah Lancaster) pregnancy and feeling betrayed by Andy (Treat Williams) and Amy (Emily VanCamp), decides to leave Everwood behind and go to Europe. Bright (Chris Pratt) has an epiphany about his feelings for Hannah (Sarah Drew) on May 16, and in the season finale on May 23, Andy realizes he has lost his chance with Nina (Stephanie Niznik) when she and Jake (Scott Wolf) move in together. The first Thursday of the sweep on April 28 features an original episode of "Blue Collar TV," starring Jeff Foxworthy, Bill Engvall and Larry the Cable Guy, followed by a half-hour comedy special, "The Ron White Show," starring Blue Collar Comedy Tour alumnus Ron White, along with guest stars Dr. Phil, Dave Attell and Rip Taylor, direct from Las Vegas. The night ends with a mix of poignancy and humor with the one-hour home renovation special "Mobile Home Disaster," starring Bill Engvall and a group of unusually attractive handymen. On the Friday night comedy lineup, beginning with "What I Like About You," Holly (Amanda Bynes) pays a surprise visit to her ex-beau Henry (Michael MacMillian), and guest star Luke Perry (“Beverly Hills, 90210”) returns as Todd the Plumber on the May 13 episode. In the surprising finale on May 20, Val (Jennie Garth) wakes up to find her life has changed overnight. On the hit comedy "Reba," when Reba (Reba McEntire) hires Van (Steve Howey) as her assistant, she is somewhat taken aback at his abilities on May 13, and a family member reveals a serious personal secret in the May 20 season finale. The newest addition to the Friday comedy lineup, "Living With Fran," features an April 29 episode in which Fran (Fran Drescher) and Riley (Ryan McPartlin) consider having a baby of their own. On May 6, Josh (Ben Feldman) and Riley are concerned over Allison’s (Misti Traya) wild new boyfriend. The power of the "Charmed" Ones reigns on Sunday nights as the undead corpses of innocents the sisters failed to save are sent to weaken their power on May 15. In the explosive season finale on May 22, the sisters are put in mortal danger when the Book of Shadows falls into the wrong hands. On "Steve Harvey's Big Time Challenge," uniquely talented everyday folks compete before celebrity judges Kenan Thompson on May 1 and Mario Lopez and D.L. Hughley on May 8. # # #