May Sweeps Find J.R. Back in ‘Dallas,’ NBA in Playoffs

The first weekend of the May ratings sweeps features several high-profile movies, including a new “Dallas” flick and NBC’s much ballyhooed adventure “Merlin.”

J.R. (Larry Hagman) is up to his usual dirty dealings in the CBS movie “Dallas: War of the Ewings,” Friday at 9 p.m. on Channel 2. Patrick Duffy, Linda Gray, George Kennedy and Steve Kanaly are also back.

NBC presents its four-hour “Merlin,” Sunday at 9 p.m. on Channel 4. The retelling of the story of the wizard who allied himself to King Arthur stars Sam Neill in the title role. The conclusion airs Monday at 9 p.m.

Also on Sunday, ABC presents the network premiere of the Oscar-nominated 1995 drama “Apollo 13,” at 8 p.m. on Channel 7, starring Tom Hanks. CBS, meanwhile, offers Jamie Lee Curtis and Alan Bates in “Nicholas’ Gift,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 2. The drama deals with a married couple who find a silver lining to a tragedy involving their son.

Today

The first-round games of the NBA Playoffs tip off at 4 and 6:30 p.m. on TBS. TNT will also carry back-to-back games at 5 and 7:30 p.m. Games continue Saturday on NBC at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. on Channel 4. TNT serves up another conference quarterfinal at 7:30 p.m. Playoffs are scheduled for Sunday on NBC at 9:30 a.m., noon and 2:30 p.m.

John Tesh and Naomi Judd host “The 29th Annual Dove Awards,” at 6 and 10 p.m. on TNN. The show honors the top performers in gospel music.

Michelle Kwan and Tara Lipinski are scheduled to perform on ABC’s “Champions on Ice,” at 8 p.m. on Channel 7.

Pam Tillis guests on both CBS’ “The Promised Land,” at 8 p.m., and “Diagnosis Murder,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 2.

Dana Carvey is reunited with his former “Saturday Night Live” cohort David Spade on NBC’s “Just Shoot Me,” at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 4.

Helen Baxendale, currently playing Ross’ British fiancee on “Friends,” stars in the PBS “Mystery!” thriller “An Unsuitable Job for a Woman,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 28.

Saturday

Fox’s popular kids’ series “Ultimate Goosebumps,” at 8 a.m. on Channel 11, premieres its first miniseries, “Sequel of Fortune.” The story continues May 2 and 9.

HBO presents the 12-round light heavyweight championship bout between Roy Jones Jr. and Virgil Hill, at 7:15 p.m.

Olympic and world champion ice skaters compete on NBC’s “The Ultimate Four,” at 8 p.m. on Channel 4.

Sunday

PBS’ “Live From Lincoln Center,” at noon on Channel 28, presents the New York City Opera production of Benjamin Britten’s “Paul Bunyan.”

PBS’ “Nature” presents a five-hour miniseries, “Force of the Wild,” at 8 p.m. on Channel 28. The series concludes Monday at 8 p.m.

ABC’s “The Wonderful World of Disney” gives viewers a preview of the new Disney World attraction, “Disney’s Animal Kingdom,” at 7 p.m. on Channel 7.

Fox’s “The Simpsons” celebrates its 200th episode at 8 p.m. on Channel 11. In this installment, Homer runs for sanitation commissioner against the incumbent (the voice of Steve Martin).

Helen Mirren, late of the splendid “Prime Suspect” thrillers, returns to PBS’ “Masterpiece Theatre” series in the two-part drama “Painted Lady,” at 9 p.m. on Channel 28. The conclusion airs May 3.

Janeane Garofalo hosts Lifetime’s “The Ms. Foundation’s Women of Comedy Life From Carolines,” at 10 p.m.

The latest edition of the gay and lesbian monthly series “In the Life” airs at midnight on KCET-TV Channel 28.