Off the Wall: Reaching for the 'Stars'

Off the Wall always feels The Force.

'STAR WARS' STRIKES BACK

Can it be 30 years? George Lucas' first Skywalker sequel hit theaters in May 1980, so Spike celebrates by surrounding "The Empire Strikes Back" (Saturday at 4 and Sunday at 1 a.m., Spike) with Lucas' 1977 original, "Star Wars" (1 and 10 p.m.) and his 1983 third entry, "Return of the Jedi" (7 p.m.). Bonus - Seth MacFarlane sends up The Empire in "Something, Something, Something Dark Side," the DVD original turned season finale of "Family Guy" (Sunday 9-10 p.m., Fox/5). Preview at fox.com/familyguy.

SHEDDING LIGHT ON LI

It's great when public TV brings us the world, but pretty cool, too, when the cameras roll close to home. "Incredible Journey: The Story of the West Hampton Dunes" (Saturday at 9, tomorrow at 11 p.m., WLIW/21) tracks the resurrection of the barrier community almost obliterated by nature. The premiere of "First Light: Montauk Point Lighthouse" (Wednesday at 8 p.m., Thursday night at 1 a.m., WLIW/21) explores the landmark authorized by George Washington in an effort to brighten stormy seas that have nonetheless claimed many memorable wrecks. Video at thestoryofwesthamptondunes.com.

TOP SEASON FINALES

Nielsen's May ratings sweep ends Wednesday, so the networks are rushing out the wrap-ups. Biggies include the live competition finals of "The Celebrity Apprentice" (Sunday 9-11 p.m., NBC/4); "Dancing With the Stars" (Monday 8-9 p.m., Tuesday 9-11 p.m., ABC/7); "The Biggest Loser" (Tuesday 8-10 p.m., NBC/4); and "American Idol" (Tuesday 8-9 p.m., Wednesday 8-10:10 p.m., Fox/5). Plus there's Moe as "Idol" material on "The Simpsons" (Sunday at 8 p.m., Fox/5). And you already know that three longtime drama hits bid adieu in must-see events - "Lost" (Sunday 9-11:30 p.m., ABC/7); "24" (Monday 8-10 p.m., Fox/5) and "Law & Order" (Monday at 10 p.m., NBC/4).

MORE SEASON FINALES

Also this week: "How I Met Your Mother" (Monday at 8 p.m., CBS/2); "Rules of Engagement" (Monday at 8:30 p.m., CBS/2); "Two and a Half Men" (Monday at 9 p.m., CBS/2); "The Big Bang Theory" (Monday at 9:30 p.m., CBS/2); "CSI Miami" (Monday at 10 p.m., CBS/2); "Chuck" (Monday 8-10 p.m., NBC/4); "NCIS" (Tuesday at 8 p.m., CBS/2); "NCIS: Los Angeles" (Tuesday at 9 p.m., CBS/2), "The Good Wife" (Tuesday at 10 p.m., CBS/2); "Parenthood" (Tuesday at 10 p.m., NBC/4); and the first/last season finale of "Flash Forward" (Thursday at 8 p.m., ABC/7).

IT'S WAR

The tube is already gearing up for Memorial Day. Catch Hollywood's first great war film, and still one of its best - "The Big Parade" (Sunday at midnight, Turner Classic Movies), legendary director King Vidor's searing 1926 essay on World War I starring silent matinee idol John Gilbert. World War II fills the first night of TCM's Memorial Day weekend marathon, with classics there including "Stalag 17" (Friday at 8 p.m.); "The Great Escape" (10:15 p.m.); and "The Bridge on the River Kwai" (1:15 a.m., all Friday night on TCM). More war weekend details at tcm.com.

ANONYMOUS GUYS: MALL COPS

After Kevin James' movie became a blockbuster smash, you knew this was coming. The reality ridealong "Mall Cops: Mall of America" (Thursday at 10 and 10:30 p.m., TLC) kicks off with coverage of Black Friday at Minnesota's sprawling shopping destination. Then catch James' comedy flick "Paul Blart: Mall Cop" (Friday at 8:25 p.m., Starz). More at tlc.com.

E! TURNS 20

They did celebs before celebs were this cool. "E! Celebrates 20 Years of the Celebrity Revolution" (Friday at 9 p.m., E!) is followed by "The Soup Presents: 20 Years of Takin' Some E!" (Friday at 10 p.m., E!). More at eonline.com.