This week in television marks the return of the biggest awards show in Hollywood, the final episode of a true television classic and a massive fan effort to save another favorite. First, the awards show.
ABC will be pulling out all the stops as it broadcasts the 77th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday, February 27th. First time Master of Ceremonies Chris Rock ("Rush Hour") presides over the ceremonies.
Along with the Super Bowl, the Academy Awards remains one of the few "event" programs on television that can still attract upwards of 100 million worldwide viewers or more.
Some of this year's nominees got their start in television. These include "Million Dollar Baby" best director and best actor nominee Clint Eastwood ("Rawhide"), "Finding Neverland" best actor nominee Johnny Deep ("21 Jump Street") and "The Aviator" best actor nominee Leonardo DiCaprio ("Growing Pains").
Fans of Det. Andy Sipowicz have a case of the blues: After 12 years and several Emmy Awards, ABC TV's "NYPD Blue" marches off into television history. The series, created by Steven Bochco ("Hill Street Blues") airs its final first-run episode on Tuesday, March 1st.
The series broke new ground in presenting adult storylines, partial nudity and an occasional four letter words. It is probably fitting that the series bows out in an era when television networks are increasingly skittish about airing any programming that may offend a group of viewers and thus be fined by the FCC.
Dennis Franz has starred as Det. Sipowicz throughout the series incredible run. Cast members have come and gone, including Sipowicz's partners. These have included: David Caruso as John Kelly (season 1), Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone (seasons 2-6), Rick Schroder as Danny Sorenson (seasons 6-8) and Mark-Paul Gosselaar (seasons 9-12) as John Clark.
Fans mount effort to save "Enterprise": Low ratings have done what countless alien invaders could not - destroy UPN's "Enterprise." After four seasons the fifth series in the "Star Trek" franchise is being cancelled. It will mark the first time in 18 years that there hasn't been some form of the "Star Trek" franchise on the air
