Tuning In

Spidey sneak peek

It’s hard to believe this summer’s “Spider-Man 2” needs any promotional boost, but the sequel’s backers aren’t taking any chances. Television watchers will get a sneak peek at the film sandwiched in the middle of tonight’s episode of “The Apprentice.”

The 2-minute trailer will air about 40 minutes into the show, which begins at 9 p.m. on NBC.

Expect to see Tobey Maguire’s web slinger meeting up with the villainous Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina). The sequel swings into local movie houses June 30.

Burnett’s reign

Producer Mark Burnett is more than just a “Survivor” in the grueling world of prime-time television. He’s responsible for two of today’s three biggest reality TV hits.

His “Survivor: All-Stars” and “The Apprentice” landed among the five most popular shows last week, Associated Press reports.

“Survivor” was seen by 21.7 million viewers, and the Donald Trump game had an audience of 20.2 million, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Some of the more compelling ratings results, however, were near the bottom of the ratings list.

That’s where two of ABC’s biggest hopes for this spring landed with an unceremonious thud — the drama “The D.A.” and the miniseries “Stephen King’s Kingdom Hospital.” Each had a little more than 5 million viewers last week, fewer than any other prime-time show on ABC, CBS or NBC.

This season’s usual front-runner, CBS, led again for the week with an average of 13.2 million viewers (8.5 rating, 14 share). NBC was second with 11.1 million viewers (7.4, 12) but led among the 18-to-49-year-old demographic with which it’s most concerned.

Fox had 8.3 million viewers (5.1, 8), ABC 7.4 million (4.8, 8), UPN 2.8 million, the WB 2.6 million (both 1.9, 3) and Pax TV 930,000 (0.6, 1).

A ratings point represents 1.08 million households, or 1 percent of the nation’s estimated 108.4 million TV homes. The share is the percentage of in-use televisions tuned to a given show.

For the week of March 29 through April 4, the top five shows, their networks and viewerships: “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” CBS, 26.5 million; “American Idol” (Tuesday), Fox, 25.9 million; “American Idol” (Wednesday), Fox, 21.9 million; “Survivor: All-Stars,” CBS, 21.7 million; “The Apprentice,” NBC, 20.2 million.

Must-see DVD

They’ll be there for us on DVD, long after NBC says good night to “Friends.”

The seventh season of the hit Thursday-night sitcom makes its DVD debut this week for the retail price of $44.98.

But what’s a few bucks among friends?

The set might be the right tonic for those who believe the show is limping into retirement. “Friends: The Complete Seventh Season” follows Monica and Chandler as they prepare for their wedding. The box set also includes never-before-seen footage, a gag reel and commentary for several episodes from the show’s producers.

The Emmy-winning “Friends” is in its 10th, and final, season. The last episode will air next month.

It might seem strange for DVD fans to gobble up these box sets, particularly when “Friends” fans can get their fix with reruns across the television dial. However, television shows on DVD sell briskly, forcing studios to retreat to their archives for more potential box-set material.

’ER’s’ newest doc

“ER” hasn’t even wrapped its 10th season yet, and it’s already scrubbing in a new doctor for the fall.

Shane West, best known for roles in “A Walk to Remember” and “Once and Again,” will join the NBC show’s cast next season. The Louisiana native will play, according the network, “an athletic and charming” new intern named Ray Barnett.

His recent big-screen credits include “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen,” “Get Over It” and “Liberty Heights.”

HBO stacks ’Wood’

HBO is airing a triple shot of “Deadwood” tomorrow for those who want to know what all the cussin’ and fussin’ is about.

The pay network will air the first three episodes of the new Western back to back to back starting at 8 p.m.

The Western, which already has earned a second season, focuses on an outlaw community filled with both real and fictional Western sorts. The early standouts are Ian McShane as the wicked saloon owner and Timothy Olyphant as the Montana Marshall. Just be prepared for some salty speech. The show’s early claim to fame, beyond its gritty feel, is how profane the dialogue can be.

The show’s fourth installment debuts at 10 p.m. this Sunday, after a fresh episode of “The Sopranos.”

Compiled by Christian Toto from staff and wire reports.