What a difference a hit makes. Last year on the last Sunday of May sweeps, ABC had room on its Sunday schedule to fit in a repeat of “The Nick & Jessica Variety Hour.” This year, the season finale of “Desperate Housewives” (8 p.m. Sunday, ABC) is being treated like a major TV event on the scale of the Super Bowl.

Both CBS and NBC are scheduling only repeats against the “Housewives” finale, which introduces Alfre Woodard as a new neighbor on the block.

In honor, or perhaps in fear, of the power of “Housewives,” the WE network has dedicated an entire day of “we are not worthy” programming to honor the ladies of Wisteria Lane. They’ve scheduled a “Before They Were Desperate” mini-marathon of movies starring “Housewives” cast members, including Marcia Cross in “Always Say Goodbye” (9 a.m. Sunday, WE); “A Slight Case of Murder,” starring Felicity Huffman (11 a.m.); “Somebody’s Daughter” (1 p.m.) with Nicollette Sheridan; and “Dead in the Water” (4 p.m.) with Teri Hatcher. Apparently the rights to Eva Longoria’s direct-to-video opus “Senorita Justice” weren’t available.

Today’s highlights

¢ A serial killer returns after a four-year hiatus on “Crossing Jordan” (7 p.m., NBC).

¢ The mysteries of the island are explained on the clip-show retrospective of “Lost” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ “Homecoming” (7 p.m., CMT) profiles singer Toby Keith.

¢ A teen needs protection from a hostile mother on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ On two repeat episodes of “Desperate Housewives” (ABC), George remains in Bree’s life (8 p.m.), Susan and Mike’s plans shock the neighbors (9 p.m.).

¢ Scheduled on “48 Hours Mystery” (9 p.m., CBS): A beloved professor’s murder leaves an odd trail of clues.

Sunday’s highlights

¢ The discovery of nine skulls recalls a serial crime from 1972 on the season finale of “Cold Case” (7 p.m., CBS).

¢ The biggest movie star to come out of Neptune, N.J., is profiled on “Jack Nicholson: True Hollywood Story” (7 p.m., E!).

¢ The family of a soldier killed in Iraq gets a new home on “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ Someone will rue a murder in the morgue on “Crossing Jordan” (8 p.m., NBC).

¢ There’s something catching on the season finale of “Grey’s Anatomy” (9 p.m., ABC).