Weekend TV : Networks Use Specials to Get Jump on Competition for May Sweeps

With the May sweeps here, the three networks have crammed Sunday night full of competing, high-profile specials.

Both NBC and ABC unveil their latest miniseries extravaganzas at 9 p.m., with Joe Cortese starring in the science-fiction thriller “Something Is Out There” on NBC, and Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith traversing the globe in a big-budget adaptation of Robert Ludlum’s best-selling novel “The Bourne Identity” on ABC.

CBS (Sunday at 9 p.m.) counters with a new TV production of “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial,” based on Herman Wouk’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book and play. Acclaimed film maker Robert Altman directs Brad Davis (as Capt. Queeg), Jeff Daniels and Eric Bogosian.

Also for Sunday (at 8 p.m.), ABC has pasted together old footage, photos and testimonials from famous people such as Gloria Steinem and Robert Wagner into a remembrance of Marilyn Monroe. “Remembering Marilyn” is hosted by Lee Remick.