Take heart - we are finally nearing the end of Finale Fever. Surely you've noticed the TV world has been promoting its big-ticket sendoffs. Most regular U.S. network dramas and sitcoms wrapped their seasons last week; next week brings the end of American Idol and Dancing With the Stars. In viewer notes, remember there's no NHL playoff hockey scheduled Saturday night (Game 4 of the Montreal-Philadelphia series goes Saturday afternoon at 3 o'clock ET), so book your family time accordingly. Otherwise, this weekend's choice picks include a trip down a twisted yellow brick road, the last call for TV's most confusing dramatic series and Donald Trump's shameless reality showcase. The summer-rerun doldrums will commence forthwith.
Tin Man
Saturday, Space, 8 p.m.
Although everyone has seen The Wizard of Oz - more than once, most likely - very few people have had the pleasure of seeing this three-part miniseries remake that originally aired on the U.S. Sci-Fi Channel. Steeped in elements of science fiction and fantasy, the remake stars Zooey Deschanel as DG, a truculent teen version of Dorothy, who is decidedly unhappy with life on the farm. Then comes a vicious tornado carrying her off into a surreal place called OZ, which in this case stands for "Outer Zone." The strange dimension is ruled by a short-tempered sorceress named Azkadellia, played by the fine Canadian actress Kathleen Robertson, who is not above using mind control to keep her subjects in line. The supporting cast includes Alan Cumming as Glitch, a half-brained (literally) fop analogous to the scarecrow in the original story. And yes, there's a yellow brick road, sort of. Space airs the first chapter tonight and continues the story Sunday and Monday night at the same time.
Lost
Sunday, ABC, CTV, 9 p.m.
This is the end, my friends. The final episode of Lost arrives following six seasons and an untold number of fan theories trying to explain it all. No question Lost has been a unique entity in the TV universe. For all the critical acclaim - and Emmys and Peabody Awards - the most impressive aspect of Lost is that it works off pretty much the same premise as Gilligan's Island. The show's looming departure has become a media phenomenon in recent weeks, which explains why Lost producers Carlton Cuse and Damon Lindelof were delivering a Top 10 List on The Late Show with David Letterman, or why Conan O'Brien was referencing the show at last week's TBS upfront presentations ("The plot to Lost is more plausible than the last year of my life"). Of course ABC isn't divulging any details of the last episode beyond the fact that it's been extended by a half-hour, presumably to wrap up all those dangling storylines. Cuse and Lindelof have been saying for months that the series will close on a single frozen image. Even the biggest Lost geek can't predict what that image is, which is in keeping with the show's mythology. To the end, Lost is an enigma wrapped in a mystery.
Celebrity Apprentice
Sunday, NBC, Global, 9 p.m.
While most of the viewing audience is glued to the Lost finale, Celebrity Apprentice grinds to a lower-profile close. The ninth edition of Donald Trump's reality series has produced a few surprises - who knew Cyndi Lauper was so fantastically annoying? - but the show still seems to be a blatant exercise in product placement. This season's weekly challenges have featured brand-name plugs for cameras, movies and deodorant. The last episode airs live from the Skirball Center in New York and The Donald will announce the winner after receiving sage counsel from his advisers: son Donald Trump Jr. and daughter Ivanka. The final challenge involves launching a new flavour of ice tea. The last two celebrities standing are actress Holly Robinson Peete and singer Bret Michaels, formerly of the glam-metal band Poison. Does the fact Michaels nearly died last month from a massive brain hemorrhage give him the advantage? In Trump's world, it could happen.
Check local listings.
John Doyle returns on Monday.