Sweeps Month on the Web: Another Domain for Channel Surfers

The May sweeps are nirvana for TV junkies, providing historical dramas (“The Odyssey”), movie blockbusters (“Forrest Gump,” “The Mask”) and retreads (“The Shining,” “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” “Knots Landing” reunion). But the major networks want to give you even more online. Web sites that once simply listed show times, cast and a plot synopsis now include slickly designed interactive games, in-depth interviews and even online chats with celebrities.

And don’t forget, it’s May. As in the Unforgettable Days of May, Mythical May, and May Is Pop. (If you don’t understand these, you haven’t been watching enough TV now that we’re into the all-important ratings period.)

Web-wise, the networks have made big strides, making sites easier to navigate and faster to download for the modem-speed-challenged. One important note when switching from channel surfing to Web surfing: You’ll need the latest Netscape or Microsoft browser and Shockwave plug-ins to enjoy much of the media-rich material.

NBC (https://www.nbc.com) seems to be lapping the competition in ratings these days, and the Peacock is flaunting its showy colors online as well. Though many other sites include comments from stars, NBC.com has live online chats, with recent appearances by author Robin Cook and Yaphet Kotto from “Homicide.” The stars of the upcoming miniseries “The Odyssey” are slated for Tuesday.

In fact, you could spend almost as much time delving through “The Odyssey” mini-site online as watching the four-hour epic, which premieres May 18. Isabella Rossellini expounds on being a goddess, director Andrei Konchalovsky gives his best Cliffs Notes for Homer, and you can brush up on mythology with the Guide to the Gods. Most impressive is the Odyssey Adventure, an online role-playing game where you travel the route of Odysseus while feeding your crew and battling Cyclops. Cartoonish fun.

ABC (https://www.abc.com) shines on its site for “The Shining” remake. Unlike most Web pages, you scroll horizontally past a corridor of rooms, each one leading to a contest, Stephen King info or horrifying game. The games are standard Web fare with a twist. The Oracle tells your future, a Paranormal Test checks your psychic abilities and, if you’re suffering from writer’s block, there’s the Horror Story Tool Kit, which generates clever opening lines, scary locations and even quotes from Shakespeare. Spooky sound effects add ambience.

ABC’s other sweeps features are pretty thin, though they did include 3-D pages for 3-D week, so you can wear special ‘50s style glasses to view eye-popping TV shows and Web pages.

CBS’ site (https://www.cbs.com) is a rung lower, with a forgettable online adjunct to the “Unforgettable Days of May.” For “The Last Don,” the synopsis gives away much of the plot, though a Mario Puzo interview adds some punch to a tepid site.

Surprisingly Fox (https://www.foxworld.com) has even less going for it online, with a lame cybersoap called “Polaroid Place 2” and little coverage for most shows. “The Simpsons” section has the most depth, with a comprehensive list of guest stars and goofy character bios.

UPN (https://www.upn.com) includes lots of chat space on its Telescape site. It’s a double-edged sword, because fans of the canceled “Nowhere Man” have flooded various topics with pleas to bring it back. Still, it gives Trekkers and “Moesha” fans room to wax poetic.

WB Network still doesn’t have a centralized presence on the Web beyond the monstrous Warner Bros. site.