Sweeps Upgrades

During the all-important February sweeps, which continues through the month, viewers will be plied with special guest stars on their favorite series, big movies and miniseries, Black History Month programming, several high-profile documentaries, and such stellar specials as the Grammy Awards and the Westminster Dog Show. Here’s a look at some of the high-powered programming set for this month.

Movies and Miniseries

“The Flamingo Rising”: “Hallmark Hall of Fame” kicks off its 50th anniversary with a drama about a dreamer who builds the world’s largest drive-in movie theater across the street from a funeral parlor. William Hurt, Brian Benben and Elizabeth McGovern star. Sunday, CBS.

“Inside the Osmonds”: Jimmy Osmond, youngest member of the singing family, is executive producer of this drama that chronicles the rise of the group and the “heartache” behind the hits. Monday, ABC.

“The Last Producer”: Burt Reynolds stars in and directed a darkly humorous tale of modern Hollywood. Ann-Margret, Benjamin Bratt and Rod Steiger also star. Tuesday, USA.

“Jewel”: Farrah Fawcett and Cicely Tyson star in a drama spanning 20 years about a mother’s devotion to her Down syndrome child. Wednesday, CBS.

“Haven”: Natasha Richardson stars in a four-hour drama based on Ruth Gruber’s book about a U.S. government official who, in 1944, helped escort nearly 1,000 Jewish refugees from Europe to a temporary haven in America. Anne Bancroft, Bruce Greenwood and William Petersen also star. Feb. 11 and 14, CBS.

“These Old Broads”: Shirley MacLaine, Debbie Reynolds, Joan Collins and Elizabeth Taylor headline a comedy about three stars from the Golden Age of Hollywood who reunite for a TV special. Feb. 12, ABC.

“A Mother’s Fight for Justice”: Meredith Baxter and Alan Rosenberg star in this drama about a mother’s obsession with justice when a drunk driver severely injures her college-age son. Feb. 12, Lifetime.

“Motocrossed”: A teenage girl poses as her twin brother so she can compete in the male-dominated sport of motocross racing. Feb. 16, Disney Channel.

“They Call Me Sirr”: Kente Scott and Michael Clarke Duncan star in this true story following the teenage years of pro football player Sirr Parker of the Cincinnati Bengals. Feb. 18, Showtime.

“The Princess and the Marine”: Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Marisol Nichols star in this fact-based drama about the love affair between a U.S. Marine and a Bahraini princess. Feb. 18, NBC.

“Epicenter”: Gary Daniels and Traci Lords star in a thriller set during an earthquake in Los Angeles. Feb. 20, UPN.

“Boycott”: Jeffrey Wright and Terrence Howard star in this historical drama focusing on the events that unfolded when Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat in the “whites only” section of a bus in Montgomery, Ala. Feb. 24, HBO.

“Life With Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows”: Judy Davis plays the legendary singer-actress in this four-hour drama based on daughter Lorna Luft’s memoir. Victor Garber, Hugh Laurie, Marsha Mason and Tammy Blanchard also star. Feb. 25-26, ABC.

“Nora Roberts’ Sanctuary”: Melissa Gilbert and Kathy Baker star in a drama about a famed photojournalist who returns to her childhood retreat when she is stalked by an unknown assailant. Feb. 28, CBS.

Series

“The X-Files”: The search for Mulder (David Duchovny) intensifies in three episodes beginning Sunday, and Annabeth Gish guests as an FBI agent in a three-episode arc that begins Feb. 25, when Duchovny reappears. Fox.

“Grosse Pointe”: Darren Star’s satire features such guests as Kristin Davis (Sunday) and Jason Priestley (Feb. 11). WB.

“Family Law”: Andy Griffith and Janet Leigh guest on the legal series. Monday, CBS.

“JAG”: Gerald McRaney guests on the legal drama. Tuesday, CBS.

“Dharma & Greg”: Kevin Sorbo guests as a college professor who inspires Dharma to return to school in a two-part episode. Tuesday and Feb. 13, ABC.

“Frasier”: Derek Jacobi and Patrick Macnee visit the long-running comedy. Tuesday, NBC.

“Judging Amy”: Gregory Harrison returns as Amy’s potential paramour. Tuesday, CBS.

“Dawson’s Creek”: Andy Griffith also appears on the popular teen series. Wednesday, WB.

“Bette”: Olivia Newton-John and her daughter Chloe make a guest appearance. Wednesday, CBS.

“Touched by an Angel”: Tony Award-winner Patti LuPone guests. Feb. 11, CBS.

“Who Wants to Be a Millionaire”: The Backstreet Boys’ Nick Carter, KISS’ Gene Simmons, Sisqo and Sugar Ray’s Mark McGrath will try to earn a cool million for their favorite charities. Feb. 11 and 14, ABC.

“On the Record With Bob Costas”: Premiere of a sports talk-magazine series hosted by the popular broadcaster. Feb. 14, HBO.

“Friends”: Susan Sarandon guests as a soap opera diva. The 40-minute episode features outtakes and Conan O’Brien’s chat with the cast. Feb. 15, NBC.

“Will & Grace”: Ellen DeGeneres guests as a nun looking to make a profit when she buys an old car once owned by Grace’s uncle. Feb. 15, NBC.

“Nash Bridges”: Philip Michael Thomas, who starred with Don Johnson on “Miami Vice,” guests on Johnson’s long-running cop series. Feb. 16, CBS.

“Anna Karenina”: “Masterpiece Theatre” presents a new two-part adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s classic romantic tragedy, starring Helen McCrory and Stephen Dillane. Feb. 18 and 25, KCET and KVCR.

“Moesha”: Young rapper Lil’ Bow Wow guests. Feb. 19, UPN.

“The Hughleys”: Billy Dee Williams and Marla Gibbs guest star. Feb. 19, UPN.

“Girlfriends”: Former U.S. Surgeon General Jocelyn Elders appears. Feb. 19, UPN.

“Inspector Morse”: “Mystery!” bids adieu to the popular series starring John Thaw with a one-hour retrospective special, followed by the finale, “The Remorseful Day,” Feb. 22, KCET and KCVR.

“King of the Hill”: The Emmy Award-winning animated series celebrates its 100th episode with guest voices Renee Zellweger and Bigg Snoop Dogg. Feb. 25, Fox.

Documentaries

“Streamliners: America’s Lost Trains”: This “American Experience” documentary tells the story of the Zephyr or streamliner, a revolutionary compact diesel engine. Monday, KCET and KVCR.

“The American Wedding”: A two-hour examination of weddings, from the dress to the bouquet and the reception. Feb. 11, A&E.;

“Marcus Garvey: Look for Me in the Whirlwind”: “American Experience” profiles the rise and fall of the African American leader. Feb. 12, KCET and KVCR.

“Captured on Film: The True Story of Marion Davies”: A look at the actress best known as the mistress of William Randolph Hearst. Feb. 14, TCM.

“Hopes on the Horizon”: Documentary chronicling the rise of the pro-democracy movement in six African nations during the 1990s. Feb. 16, KCET; Feb. 17, KVCR.

“Abraham and Mary Lincoln: A House Divided”: This “American Experience” miniseries utilizes archival daguerreotypes and photographs to tell the story of the Lincolns. David McCullough narrates. Feb. 19-21, KCET and KVCR.

“The Unfinished Civil War”: An exploration of the unresolved divide between the North and South. Feb. 19, History Channel.

Specials

“In Style: Celebrity Weddings”: Star-studded weddings include Brian Littrell of the Backstreet Boys and Joan Lunden. Monday, NBC.

“Championship Ballroom Dancing 20th Anniversary Special”: Sandy Duncan and U.S. Latin competition champ Ron Montez host this special featuring former champions and this year’s winners of the annual dance showcase. Wednesday, KCET and KVCR.

“Teen People’s 20 Teens Who Will Change the World”: Lisa Ling hosts an hourlong show featuring inspiring teens from all over the country. Friday, WB.

“Kiss the Bride: The Ultimate Valentine”: From the creators of “Big Brother” comes this program in which three newly engaged couples compete to win an extravagant televised wedding, performed at the end of the hour. Feb 12, WB.

“The ESPY Awards”: Samuel L. Jackson hosts the annual sports awards ceremony. Feb. 12, ESPN.

“The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show”: Joe Garagiola and David Frei host the popular two-night, six-hour coverage of the dog show from Madison Square Garden. Feb. 12-13, USA.

“Barbra Streisand--Timeless”: The award-winning performer’s final concert. Feb. 14, Fox.

“School’s In”: Andy Lawrence hosts a special that pays tribute to the best and brightest from America’s educational community. Feb. 20, Disney Channel.

“The 43rd Annual Grammy Awards”: The controversial rapper Eminem’s four nominations are the big talk of the annual music awards. Feb. 21, CBS.

“The Trumpet Awards”: Diahann Carroll and Richard Roundtree host the ninth annual program honoring African Americans who have succeeded against the odds. Honorees include Diana Ross, Ray Charles and Willie Mays. Feb 24, TBS.