As the weather heats-up, so does CTV’s prime-time schedule with the season finales of THE AMAZING RACE, THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, GREY’S ANATOMY, THE MENTALIST, DANCING WITH THE STARS, THE BRIDGE, and more. This month also means the countdown is on to the series finale of LOST and CASTLE moves to CTV for its final three episodes this season.
Programming highlights for May 3 – 26 on CTV include:
• The teams rush to make their way from Shanghai to San Francisco on the season finale of THE AMAZING RACE (May 9)
• Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Alaric (Matt Davis) need to stop Johnathan (guest star David Anders, HEROES) on the season finale of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (May 13)
• Demi Lovato (Princess Protection Program) guest stars on GREY’S ANATOMY (May 13)
• A season of mystery and suspense comes to an explosive end on the finale of DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES (May 16)
• Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett confront their feelings for each other in the season finale of CASTLE (May 17)
• The finalists are revealed as the last contestant is eliminated before the finale on AMERICAN IDOL (May 19)
• A crisis unlike any before unfolds at Seattle Grace during the two-hour season finale of GREY’S ANATOMY (May 20)
• Dr. Langston (Laurence Fishburne) needs to reveal Dr. Jekyll’s true identity on part two of the season finale of CSI (May 20)
• Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) needs to save his psychic friend on the season finale of THE MENTALIST (May 20)
• Frank (Aaron Douglas) and his team are attacked on the season finale of THE BRIDGE (May 21)
• See where the mystery began on the LOST recap special followed by the series finale where everything comes to an end on LOST (May 23)
• DANCING WITH THE STARS moves to CTV for the final two episodes (May 24) and (May 25)
• A new winner is crowned on the season finale of AMERICAN IDOL (May 26)
• Edward Furlong (American History X) guest stars on the season finale of CSI: NY (May 26)
Below is a chronological listing of detailed highlights for May 3 – 26. All programming is subject to change (all times ET; visit CTV.ca to confirm local broadcast times):
Monday, May 3
8 p.m. – CSI: MIAMI – “Meltdown” – NEW EPISODE
A seemingly perfect jewelry heist ends in murder and when crime scene evidence is stolen from the lab, Delko (Adam Rodriguez) returns to find the culprit.
9:00 p.m. – THE BIG BANG THEORY – “The Spaghetti Catalyst” – NEW EPISODE
When Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Penny (Kaley Cuoco) aren’t speaking, Sheldon (Jim Parsons) goes to extremes to keep them both happy.
10 p.m. – CASTLE – “Food to Die For” – NEW EPISODE
A high profile chef is found frozen to death in the kitchen of a hot New York restaurant. Complications ensue when Castle (Nathan Fillion) and the restaurant owner, an old high school girlfriend of Beckett’s (Stana Katic), share an attraction. This is the first episode from the breakout hit series to air on CTV and guest star’s Rocco Dispirito (The Ugly Truth) as a fan of the dead chef and a fan of Castle’s books.
Tuesday, May 4
8 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – “Top 5 Perform” – NEW LIVE PERFORMANCE EPISODE
The final five contestants perform hoping to advance to the next round of the competition.
9 p.m. – LOST – “The Candidate” – NEW EPISODE
Jack (Matthew Fox) must decide whether or not to trust Locke (Terry O’Quinn) after he is asked to follow through on a difficult task.
10 p.m. – LAW & ORDER: SVU – “Ace” – NEW EPISODE
When a pregnant woman is raped, Detectives Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Stabler (Christopher Meloni) arrive at the hospital to find that she has fled. Even when someone is arrested for a similar offense, ADA Jo Marlowe (guest star Sharon Stone, Alpha Dog) says she doesn’t have a case in court unless they find the victim. Benson and Stabler connect the woman to an illegal adoption operation, forcing them to go undercover and expose the truth.
Wednesday, May 5
8 p.m. – CRIMINAL MINDS – “…A Thousand Words” – NEW EPISODE
The BAU team must profile a serial killer covered in tattoos who commits suicide, but leaves clues to the whereabouts of his last victim.
9 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – “1 of 5 Voted Off” – NEW LIVE RESULTS EPISODE
Superstar Lady Gaga performs and the singers learn their fate as another contestant is voted off.
10 p.m. – CSI: NY – “Tales From the Undercard” – NEW EPISODE
When a slab of concrete starts bleeding in midtown, the CSIs’ investigation takes them into the underground world of hardcore fighting, where men moonlight as “weekend warriors” for the pleasure of a live viewing audience.
Thursday, May 6
7 p.m. – THE VAMPIRE DIARIES – “Isobel” – NEW EPISODE
Isobel (guest star Mia Kirshner, THE L WORD) returns to town and stuns Alaric (Matt Davis) with her attitude. When she finally meets with Elena (Nina Dobrev), Isobel refuses to answer most of Elena’s questions, but reveals that she will stop at nothing to find the mysterious invention Johnathan Gilbert (guest star David Anders, HEROES) has been searching for.
8 p.m. – CSI – “Lost & Found” – NEW EPISODE
A mother thought to be grieving for the loss of her family three years ago becomes a suspect in a CSI investigation.
9 p.m. – GREY’S ANATOMY – “How Insensitive” – NEW EPISODE
Bailey (Chandra Wilson) preps the team with mandatory sensitivity training prior to admitting a 700-pound patient with compounded medical issues. Meanwhile, Derek (Patrick Dempsey) has to come face-to-face with a former patient’s husband in a wrongful death deposition, and spending time with a heart patient’s daughter opens up some old wounds for Cristina (Sandra Oh).
10 p.m. – THE MENTALIST – “18-5-4” – NEW EPISODE
Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) and the CBI team investigate the death of a mathematical genius by a gun-wielding clown.
Friday, May 7
8 p.m. – GHOST WHISPERER – “Blood Money” – NEW EPISODE
When a fun night out turns dangerous for three teens, Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) investigates an unsolved kidnapping that may put her in more danger than she anticipated.
9 p.m. – MEDIUM – “Time Keeps on Slipping” – NEW EPISODE
A distressed Ariel (Sofia Vassilieva) begins to lose hours and then years of time in her life and must look to her future self to find out how to get back to the present. Michael Rady (MELROSE PLACE) guest stars as Ariel’s school friend, Liam Harris. This episode is directed by series star Miguel Sandoval.
10 p.m. – THE BRIDGE – “The Blame Game” – NEW EPISODE
After a roadside ambush kills his partner, an officer sets out to take revenge. Before he destroys his life and career, Frank (Aaron Douglas) must stop him.
Sunday, May 9
7 p.m. – HUMAN TARGET – “Corner Man” – CTV FINALE
Chance (Mark Valley) is knocked out when he meets the beautiful daughter of a former heavyweight champ in Vienna and must jump in the ring to protect a prize fighter on the run from a ruthless businessman.
8 p.m. – THE AMAZING RACE – “Huger Than Huge” – SEASON FINALE
The end city is in sight for the remaining teams as they make their way from Shanghai to San Francisco. The first team to cross the finish line wins the million dollar prize.
9 p.m. – DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES – “The Ballad of Booth” – NEW EPISODE
Lynette (Felicity Huffman) comes to a shocking realization about Edie (Nicolette Sheridan). Meanwhile, Angie (Drea de Matteo) discreetly relies on Gaby (Eva Longoria Parker) for help when Patrick (John Barrowman, TORCHWOOD) threatens the life of her son, and Susan (Teri Hatcher) and Mike’s (James Denton) financial woes result in the ultimate sacrifice.
Monday, May 10
8 p.m. – CSI: MIAMI – “Mommie Deadest” – NEW EPISODE
When a suburban soccer mom is murdered, the CSIs uncover her family’s dark past, while Delko (Adam Rodriguez) continues his undercover mission.
9 p.m. – TWO AND A HALF MEN – “I Called Him Magoo” – NEW EPISODE
Alan tries for an intimate night at a hotel with his new girlfriend, while Charlie (Charlie Sheen) takes a different approach to obtain the “girlfriend experience”. Courtney Thorne-Smith (ACCORDING TO JIM) guest stars as Eldridge’s mom.
9:30 p.m. – THE BIG BANG THEORY – “The Plimpton Stimulation” – NEW EPISODE
Leonard (Johnny Galecki) and Sheldon (Jim Parsons) compete for the attention of a famous female physicist. Judy Greer (ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT) guest Stars as Dr. Elizabeth Plimpton.
10 p.m. – CASTLE – “Overkill” – NEW EPISODE
A robbery-homicide prompts Beckett (Stana Katic) to invite Demming (Michael Trucco) to assist on a case, giving Castle (Nathan Fillion) a ringside seat to their budding romance. When it becomes clear that the two men have very different ideas about how to proceed, the investigation becomes an unspoken competition for Beckett’s attention.
Tuesday, May 11
8 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – “Top 4 Perform” – NEW LIVE PERFORMANCE EPISODE
The top four finalists sing their hearts out for America’s vote.
9 p.m. – LOST – “Across the Sea” – NEW EPISODE
Synopsis currently not available.
10 p.m. – LAW & ORDER: SVU – “Wannabe” – NEW EPISODE
Captain Donald Cragen (Dann Florek) orchestrates a movement to catch a rapist, and a rookie cop makes an arrest. Detectives Olivia Benson (Mariska Hargitay) and Eliot Stabler (Christopher Meloni) confirm that they’ve found their man, but after ADA Jo Marlowe (guest star Sharon Stone, Bobby) expresses some doubts, it is soon discovered that the so-called rookie may have some secrets of his own.
Wednesday, May 12
8 p.m. – CRIMINAL MINDS – “Exit Wounds” – NEW EPISODE
Garcia (Kirsten Vangsness) plays a crucial role in a case when she travels to Alaska with the BAU team to investigate the murders of several members of a small town.
9 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – “1 of 4 Voted Off” – NEW LIVE RESULTS EPISODE
Another contestant is cast off after the votes are revealed.
10 p.m. – CSI: NY – “Unusual Suspects” – NEW EPISODE
When Mac (Gary Sinise) and Aubrey (Madchen Amick) come across the scene of a 14-year-old boy who has been shot in front of his 12-year-old brother, it takes Mac’s drive for justice to another level.
Thursday, May 13
7 p.m. – THE VAMPIRE DIARIES – SEASON FINALE
Founder’s Day has finally arrived, and everyone is busy with last-minute preparations for floats and fireworks. Although Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Alaric (Matt Davis) do their best to stop him, Johnathan Gilbert (guest star David Anders, HEROES) sets a plan in motion that brings Founder’s Day to an end amid chaos, destruction and death.
8 p.m. – CSI – “Doctor Who” – NEW EPISODE
The CSI team must investigate one of their own when Langston (Laurence Fishburne) is accused by a former colleague of being part of the Dr. Jekyll murders, on part one of a two-part season finale.
9 p.m. – GREY’S ANATOMY – “Shiny Happy People” – NEW EPISODE
An elderly patient admitted into the E.R. for a heart condition sees a familiar face, a long lost love who happens to be in the E.R., and the staff find themselves caught up in their love story. Meanwhile, Karev (Justin Chambers) treats a troubled teenage patient (guest star Demi Lovato, Princess Protection Program) whose parents brought her in for schizophrenia, and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) can’t help but tell Cristina (Sandra Oh) about her suspicions of Owen (Kevin McKidd).
10 p.m. – THE MENTALIST – “Red Letter” – NEW EPISODE
Romantic sparks begin to fly when Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) and supposed psychic Kristina Frye (guest star Leslie Hope, 24) cross paths again during the CBI investigation into the murder of a charismatic head of a non-profit organization that fights human trafficking.
Friday, May 14
8 p.m. – GHOST WHISPERER – “Dead Ringer” – NEW EPISODE
Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) is caught in a bizarre and dangerous revenge plot when the ghost she is trying to help suddenly turns up alive.
9 p.m. – MEDIUM – “Dead Meat” – NEW EPISODE
When an animal rights activist working undercover at a farm goes missing, Allison (Patricia Arquette) befriends a pig that could hold the key to the woman’s whereabouts. Guest Stars in this episode include Roma Maffia (NIP/TUCK) as animal rights group leader Victoria Gossett, Sam Lloyd (SCRUBS) as comic book store salesman Danny Watson and Alexandra Chando (AS THE WORLD TURNS) as missing animal rights activist Melissa Treynet.
10 p.m. – THE BRIDGE – “Voices Carry” – NEW EPISODE
Frank (Aaron Douglas) fights to clear a female cop accused of spying on her fellow officers for a notorious street gang.
Sunday, May 16
7 p.m. – LAW AND ORDER – “title” – NEW TWO-HOUR EPISODE
9 p.m. – DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES – “I Guess This is Goodbye” – SEASON FINALE
Gaby (Eva Longoria Parker) risks her safety to help Angie (Drea de Matteo); Lynette’s (Felicity Huffman) fate and that of her unborn child lie in the hands of Eddie (Josh Zuckerman); Susan (Terri Hatcher) comes to grips with her financial woes; Bree (Marcia Cross) considers confessing a secret she’s harbored for years; and Angie must submit to Patrick’s (John Barrowman, TORCHWOOD) demands in order to protect her son.
Monday, May 17
8 p.m. – CSI: MIAMI – “Time Bomb” – NEW EPISODE
When Horatio’s (David Caruso) ex-girlfriend is killed in an explosion, the team looks within their own department to find the killer.
9 p.m. – TWO AND A HALF MEN – “Gumby with a Pokey” – NEW EPISODE
Alan (Jon Cryer) and Jake (Angus T. Jones) go on a road trip while Charlie (Charlie Sheen) is visited by the ghosts of girlfriends past. ZZ Top makes a special appearance as himself. Guest stars returning as Charlie’s ex-girlfriends include Katherine Lanasa (BIG LOVE), Ming Na (STARGATE UNIVERSE), Emmanuelle Vaugier (HUMAN TARGET), Rachel Cannon (GHOST WHISPERER), Aja Evans (Star Runners), Magdalena Holland (RENO 911!), Rebecca McFarland (WORKING), Katy Mixon (EASTBOUND & DOWN), Jodi Lyn O’Keefe (PRISON BREAK), Missi Pyle (THE SARAH SILVERMAN PROJECT) and Rena Sofer (HEROES).
9:30 p.m. – THE BIG BANG THEORY – “The Staircase Implementation” – NEW EPISODE
Leonard (Johnny Galecki) tells Penny (Kaley Cuoco) about how he met Sheldon (Jim Parsons) for the first time…and what happened to the elevator is finally revealed.
10 p.m. – CASTLE – “A Deadly Game” – SEASON FINALE
In the season finale, nothing is as it seems when Castle (Nathan Fillion) and Beckett (Stana Katic) investigate what appears to be the assassination of an intelligence operative. Meanwhile, Beckett’s romance with Demming (Michael Trucco) threatens her relationship with Castle, forcing them to confront their feelings for each other.
Tuesday, May 18
8 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – “Top 3 Perform” – NEW LIVE PERFORMANCE EPISODE
The top three contestants fight for a spot in the finale.
9 p.m. – LOST – “What They Died For” – NEW EPISODE
Synopsis currently not available.
10 p.m. – LAW & ORDER: SVU – SEASON FINALE
Synopsis currently not available.
Wednesday, May 19
8 p.m. – CRIMINAL MINDS – “The Internet Is Forever” – NEW EPISODE
The BAU team profiles a serial killer who uses the Internet as his hunting ground, bringing a whole meaning to the term “social networking”.
9 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – “1 of 3 Voted Off” – NEW LIVE RESULTS EPISODE
The finalists are revealed and the last contestant is eliminated before the finale.
10 p.m. – CSI: NY – “Point of View” – NEW EPISODE
While Mac (Gary Sinise) recuperates at home after being injured, he witnesses a mysterious briefcase exchange that leads to a murder, and unexpectedly brings him in contact with his former girlfriend, Peyton Driscoll (Claire Forlani).
Thursday, May 20
7 p.m. – THE MENTALIST – “Red Sky in the Morning” – SEASON FINALEA murder by a Red John copycat puts Patrick Jane’s (Simon Baker) psychic friend Kristina Frye (guest star Leslie Hope, Never Back Down) in grave danger when Frye reaches out to the real Red John, with dire consequences for both her and Jane.
8 p.m. – CSI – “Meat Jekyll” – SEASON FINALE
In part two of the season finale, as the team closes in on the Dr. Jekyll serial killer, Nate Haskell (Bill Irwin), a murderer who Langston (Laurence Fishburne) helped put behind bars last year, holds the key to Dr. Jekyll’s true identity. The CSIs must get him to reveal the killer before it’s too late.
9 p.m. – GREY’S ANATOMY – “Sanctuary / Death & All His Friends” – TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE
In a shocking two-hour season finale, a crisis unlike any before unfolds at Seattle Grace, and Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) and Cristina’s (Sandra Oh) surgical skills are put to the ultimate test. Mandy Moore guest stars (License to Wed).
Friday, May 21
8 p.m. – GHOST WHISPERER – “The Children’s Parade” – SEASON FINALE
When Melinda (Jennifer Love Hewitt) investigates a poltergeist in Grandview hospital, a final showdown looms with the supernatural forces threatening her and her son.
9 p.m. – MEDIUM – “It’s a Wonderful Death” – SEASON FINALE
When Allison’s (Patricia Arquette) brain tumor resurfaces, its aftermath could have life-altering consequences for her family and friends. Guest stars include Teri Polo (THE WEST WING) as murder victim Mary-Louise Graff and Margaret Colin (GOSSIP GIRL) as D.A. Kelly Shuler.
10 p.m. – THE BRIDGE – “Chain of Fools” – SEASON FINALE
Frank (Aaron Douglas) and the other close members of his team are brutally attacked in a burst of seemingly random acts of violence.
Sunday, May 23
7 p.m. – LOST – “The Final Journey” – NEW TWO-HOUR RECAP SPECIAL
Viewers get a final glance at one of television’s most talked about and critically acclaimed shows. The LOST series finale event begins with a two-hour special that takes a look back over the past six seasons of this groundbreaking series.
9 p.m. – LOST – “The End” – TWO-HOUR SERIES FINALE
Synopsis currently not available.
Monday, May 24
8 p.m. – DANCING WITH THE STARS – NEW PERFORMANCE EPISODE
DANCING WITH THE STARS moves to CTV as the remaining three couples take the stage during the final one-hour performance episode.
9 p.m. – TWO AND A HALF MEN – “This is Not Gonna End Well” – SEASON FINALE
Jake (Angus T. Jones) becomes Charlie’s (Charlie Sheen) driver after his license is suspended. Meanwhile, to Charlie’s chagrin, Alan (Jon Cryer) makes plans to go to Chelsea’s (Jennifer Taylor) birthday party. Stacy Keach (PRISON BREAK) returns as Chelsea’s father Tom and John Amos (MEN IN TREES) returns as Tom’s boyfriend.
9:30 p.m. – THE BIG BANG THEORY – “The Lunar Excitation” – SEASON FINALE
Howard (Simon Helberg) and Raj (Kunal Nayyar) set up an online dating profile for Sheldon (Jim Parsons). Mayim Bialik (BLOSSOM) guests stars as Sheldon’s perfect match.
10 p.m. – CSI: MIAMI – “All Fall Down” – SEASON FINALE
A serial killer taunts the CSIs by leaving them cryptic hints and dead bodies. The longer it takes the CSIs to decode these puzzles, the more imperiled they become. Esai Morales (CAPRICA) guest stars as the killer’s next target.
Tuesday, May 25
8 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – “2 Finalists Compete” – NEW LIVE PERFORMANCE EPISODE
On the first night of the two-night season finale, the remaining two finalists battle it out for the AMERICAN IDOL crown at NOKIA Theatre L.A., live in front of an audience and millions of viewers watching at home. After the finalists perform, viewers will vote to decide who will be the next AMERICAN IDOL.
9 p.m. – DANCING WITH THE STARS – TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE
After the most star-studded season, the winning couple of the coveted mirror ball trophy will be announced during the two-hour season finale.
Wednesday, May 26
8 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – TWO-HOUR SEASON FINALE
On the second part of the two-night AMERICAN IDOL season finale, the Top 12 reunite on stage one last time. At the end of a two-hour music celebration, host Ryan Seacrest will reveal the next AMERICAN IDOL.
10 p.m. – CSI: NY – “Vacation Getaway” – SEASON FINALE
The CSIs follow escaped criminal Shane Casey’s (guest star Edward Furlong, (American History X) trail across Manhattan. Miles away from the mayhem, Danny (Carmine Giovinazzo) and Lindsay (Anna Belknap) are enjoying a long overdue vacation until Casey’s plans threaten to endanger both their lives.
