he month of May begins with two attention grabbing finales including THEVAMPIRE DIARIES and CSI: NY, as well as all-new episodes of SMASH,FASHION STAR, AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL and AMERICAN IDOL. Also, the dancers and their celebrity partners take to the dance floor in new episodes ofDANCING WITH THE STARS.
• AMERICAN IDOL winner Carrie Underwood and chart-topping group Coldplay perform on the AMERICAN IDOL live results show (May 3)
• Six remaining model hopefuls head to Macau and actor Barney Cheng joins the judging panel on AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL (May 3)
• The musical Bombshell faces its first audience in an all-new episode of SMASH(May 7)
• The designers are faced with one of the biggest challenges yet on an all-new episode of FASHION STAR (May 8)
• Multi-media lifestyle entrepreneur Martha Stewart makes a special guest appearance in an all-new episode of LAW & ORDER: SVU (May 9)
• In the season finale of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES (May 10), Elena (Nina Dobrev) begins to long for simpler times when her parents Grayson (guest star Jason MacDonald) and Miranda (guest star Erin Beute) and Aunt Jenna (guest star Sara Canning) were still alive
• Mac (Gary Sinise) finds himself in limbo between life and death in the season finale of CSI: NY (May 11)
Programming highlights for May 3 – 15 include:
Below is a chronological listing of programming highlights for May 3–15. All programming is subject to change. All times ET/PT (unless otherwise stated).
Thursday, May 3
7 p.m. – THE VAMPIRE DIARIES – “Before Sunset” – NEW EPISODE
Klaus (Joseph Morgan) acts on his intentions to leave town with Elena (Nina Dobrev), but finds resistance from a surprising new enemy. Bonnie (Kat Graham) calls on Abby (guest star Persia White, GIRLFRIENDS) to help her with a difficult spell. As events spiral out of control, Elena is determined to protect Caroline (Candice Accola), Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Stefan (Paul Wesley) enlist Tyler’s help, while Bonnie and Jeremy (Steven R. McQueen) take a terrifying risk to make sure her spell is effective. Damon and Stefan have a surprisingly candid conversation about the future.
8 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – NEW EPISODE – LIVE
Before the competition is narrowed down to 4 vocalists, Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum artist and AMERICAN IDOL winner Carrie Underwood will perform. Also, Grammy Award-winning, chart-topping act, and world-famous alternative rock band Coldplay performs on the IDOL stage for the first time.
9 p.m. – AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL – “Barney Cheng” – NEW EPISODE
The final six model hopefuls head to Macau, where they get a reading from an astrologer and are challenged with recreating their auras through fashion and beauty. At the photo shoot, the models pose in exquisite silk gowns accessorized with silkworms crawling on their bodies. Barney Cheng joins the panel as a guest judge, alongside Kelly Cutrone, Nigel Barker and Tyra Banks.
10 p.m. – NIKITA – “Drop Dead” – NEW EPISODE
When it looks like Percy’s (Xander Berkeley) nuclear weapons plan is getting out of control, Ryan (guest star Noah Bean, DAMAGES) suggests they go to the Director of the CIA, Morgan Kendrick (guest star Brian Howe, FRANKLIN & BASH) for help. Nikita (Maggie Q) is vehemently opposed to the plan and is surprised when Michael (Shane West) takes Ryan’s side. Tensions escalate when Nikita is proven right after they discover Kendrick has a link to Percy.
Friday, May 4
8 p.m. – SHARK TANK – NEW EPISODE
Entrepreneurs step in front of the sharks and pitch an innovative shoe accessory that can turn any shoe into a boot, a custom made air mattress that fits in the back of a pickup truck, and a customized cruiser bike that can be designed on an interactive website. Also, the inventor of rollerblades hopes to get investment money to put toward his newest invention, an elevated mono-rail bike system.
9 p.m. – CSI: NY – “Unwrapped” – NEW EPISODE
The CSIs are called to a Brooklyn housing project to investigate the murder of a successful businessman who still felt the pull of his old neighborhood.
10 p.m. – DATELINE – NEW EPISODESynopsis currently unavailable.
Saturday, May 5
7 p.m. – CTV ORIGINAL MOVIE – SHADES OF BLACK (2006)
The Gemini Award-winning film SHADES OF BLACK tells the story of the world’s most controversial press baron, Lord Conrad Black. Chronicling his private and public struggles, the film is a story about love, ambition as well as betrayal and greed.
9 p.m. – CTV TWO MOVIE – JACK AND JILL (1998)
In the Canadian Gemini Award-nominated film JACK AND JILL¸ engaged couple Jack (John Kalangis, My Big Fat Greek Wedding) and Jill (Shauna MacDonald, Salem Falls) decide to openly date other people. Love triangles ensue as Jill tries to move on with her new friend, Stephen (Scott Gibson, THE PACIFIC) while Jack aims to get Jill back with the help of his new friend, Laura (Tara Johnson).
Sunday, May 6
7 p.m. – W5 – “Pull the Plug” and “Goin’ Home”
W5 looks at cases where the families and doctors differ on prolonging patient’s lives. And W5 heads to Newfoundland, examining one woman’s efforts to revitalize her homeland of Fogo Island.
8 p.m. – CTV TWO MOVIE – TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY (1996)David Lewis (Peter Gallagher, COVERT AFFAIRS) spends most of his time swimming, dancing, and frolicking on the beach with the spirit of his dead wife Gillian (Michelle Pfeiffer, New Years Eve). While David is stuck in the past, other family problems arise including his negligence towards teenage daughter, Rachel (Claire Danes, HOMELAND). David begins to realize that the present is more important than the past in the heart-warming love story, TO GILLIAN ON HER 37TH BIRTHDAY.
Monday, May 7
8 p.m. – DANCING WITH THE STARS – NEW EPISODE – LIVE – 2 HOURS
The dancers are joined by their celebrity partners and perform live for judges Len Goodman, Carrie Ann Inaba and Bruno Tonioli.
10 p.m. – SMASH – “Previews” – NEW EPISODE
Bombshell faces its first audience just as Rebecca Duvall (guest star and Oscar®-nominee Uma Thurman, Kill Bill: Volume 1 and 2) is hit with a major crisis. Tom (Christian Borle) and Julia (Debra Messing) scramble to fix the show when the first preview falls short, and Frank (Brian D’Arcy James) must adjust to the unwelcome return of Michael Swift (Will Chase) to his life.
Tuesday, May 8
8 p.m. – FASHION STAR – “Buyers Choice” – NEW EPISODE – SPECIAL TIME
In one of the biggest challenges of the competition, the retailers ask the remaining designers to create a piece for their respective store that they believe is missing from each of the designers’ collections. In a twist, it is discovered that receiving a purchase from the retailers does not necessarily ensure the designers’ safety from elimination. In the end, three designers who fail to impress the retailers and celebrity mentors Jessica Simpson, Nicole Richie and John Varvatos will be sent home.
9 p.m. – DANCING WITH THE STARS – NEW EPISODE – LIVE
The seventh couple is voted off and eliminated from the competition.
Wednesday, May 9
8 p.m.-9 p.m. – BETTY WHITE’S OFF THEIR ROCKERS – TWO NEW BACK-TO-BACK EPISODES
Betty White sends a fearless band of senior citizens to the streets to pull shocking and hilarious pranks on the younger generation in this hidden-camera series.
9 p.m. – CRIMINAL MINDS – “Profiling 101” – NEW EPISODE
Rossi (Joe Mantegna) and the team present one of the longest-tenured serial killer cases to college students, and they take the class through a nearly 20-year chase for the murderer.
10 p.m. – LAW & ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT – “Learning Curve” – NEW EPISODE
When a string of hate crimes hits close to home for Detective Tutuola (Ice-T), the SVU squad suspects a cover-up when a private school teacher (guest star Tony Hale, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT) is similarly attacked. Domestic icon Martha Stewart makes a special guest appearance as herself.
Thursday, May 10
7 p.m. – THE VAMPIRE DIARIES – “The Departed” – NEW EPISODE – SEASON FINALE
In the season finale of THE VAMPIRE DIARIES, Elena (Nina Dobrev) longs for simpler times when her parents, Grayson (guest star Jason MacDonald) and Miranda (guest star Erin Beute), and Aunt Jenna (guest star Sara Canning) were still alive and her biggest concern was her relationship with Matt (Zach Roerig). Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder) leave Mystic Falls together on a mission, while Caroline (Candice Accola) and Tyler (Michael Trevino) are forced to make a life-changing decision. Finally, Bonnie (Kat Graham) makes a secret deal that has heartbreaking consequences.
8 p.m. – AMERICAN IDOL – NEW EPISODE – LIVE
The final three are announced as another finalist is sent home LIVE during a heart-pounding, all-new results episode of AMERICAN IDOL
9 p.m. – AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL – “Nicholas Tse” – NEW EPISODE
The models are challenged with having to learn a fight sequence and act in a scene with Actor Nicholas Tse, international actor and pop star. The pressure is on as the women have to pose while harnessed atop a high rise tower in extreme rain and wind. Nicholas Tse joins the panel as a guest judge, alongside Kelly Cutrone, Nigel Barker and Tyra Banks
10 p.m. – NIKITA – “Crossbow” – NEW EPISODE
Percy (Xander Berkeley) calls the President (guest star Cameron Daddo) and threatens to set off a nuclear explosion unless his demands are met. Birkhoff (Aaron Stanford) finds two scientists who could help stop Percy’s new nuclear satellite. Unfortunately, Alex (Lyndsy Fonseca) and Sean (Dillon Casey) get caught at the very location that Percy blows up as an example of his power. Meanwhile, Nikita (Maggie Q) realizes the best way to stop Percy is to go into the belly of the beast – Division itself.
Friday, May 11
8 p.m. – SHARK TANK – NEW EPISODE
Entrepreneurs step in front of the sharks, and pitch flavoured peanut butter, interchangeable bikini wear and a new form of Rockband. Also, emotions run high when fitness guru Billy Banks Jr. asks the Sharks to invest in his wife’s dance fitness program designed for all ages, shapes and sizes.
9 p.m. – CSI: NY – “Near Death” – NEW EPISODE – SEASON FINALE
In the dramatic season finale of CSI: NY, Mac (Gary Sinise) finds himself in limbo between life and death after he is shot. As he fights for his life, it’s up to the team to bring the shooter to justice
10 p.m. – DATELINE – NEW EPISODE
Synopsis currently unavailable.
Saturday, May 12
7 p.m. – CTV ORIGINAL MOVIE – IN GOD’S COUNTRY (2007)
The Gemini Award-nominated film IN GOD’S COUNTRY follows Judith’s (Kelly Rowan, THE O.C.) remarkable story on her heroic escape from a polygamous community in North America. Judith and her 16 year old daughter, Charlotte (Martha MacIsaac, Dead Before Dawn 3D), are among the young women ignored by the police and protected by “freedom of religion”. Judith sets her house on fire in an attempt to escape with her five children, and then her naïve daughter runs back to the community. Judith struggles to intervene and go back to the community in order to save her daughters life. Also starring Richard Burgi (ONE TREE HILL).
9 p.m. – CTV ORIGINAL MOVIE – PLAYING FOR KEEPS (2009)
The film PLAYING FOR KEEPS is based on a true story starring Daytime Emmy® Award-winning Canadian actress Jennifer Finnigan (BETTER WITH YOU) who plays a white woman, Nicole Alpern, that has an affair with a married African-American basketball star, Ty Rivers (Roger R. Cross, SEARCH AND RESCUE). The film follows Nicole as she challenges Ty for custody of their mixed-race son. Also starring Doug Savant (DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CTV).
Sunday, May 13
7 p.m. – W5 – “Unfair Advantage” and “Gloria”
W5 investigates Canadians who have had their financial well-being shattered at the hand of CRA employees. And W5 speaks to iconic feminist Gloria Steinem.
8 p.m. – CTV TWO MOVIE – EXTREME OPS (2002)
In the action thriller EXTREME OPS, Jeffery (Rupert Graves, The Good Times Are Killing Me) and his film crew venture to the Austrian Alps near the Yougoslav border to film a commercial with extreme sports enthusiasts Chloe (Bridgette Wilson-Sampras, Phantom Punch), Ian (Rufus Sewell, THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH), Will (Devon Sawa, (NIKITA), Silo (Joe Absolom, Bottle) and Kittie (Jana Pallaske, Inglorious Basterds ). The crew films near the secret hideout of Serbian war criminal, Slobodan Pavlov (Klaus Lowitsch, PETER STROHM) and accidently catch him on film.
Monday, May 14
8 p.m. – CTV TWO MOVIE – HITCH (2005)
In the romantic comedy HITCH, Alex “Hitch” Hitchens (Will Smith, Seven Pounds) has made a career out of teaching dateless wonders how to become irresistible to women, and more than a few have gone as far as the altar. But Hitch discovers his own romantic limitations when he falls for Sara (Eva Mendes, The Other Guys), a journalist who has her own ideas about romance, and is trying to expose Hitch’s underground business to the world. Meanwhile, Hitch has his hands full with Albert (Kevin James, Zookeeper), a sweet but socially inept man who has enlisted Hitch’s services.
Tuesday, May 15
10 p.m. – FASHION STAR – NEW EPISODE – SEASON FINALE
Synopsis currently unavailable.
