Nick Lachey is a brave man.

Jessica Simpson's soon to be ex-husband will venture where few on TV will dare this month: into the path of the Winter Olympics.

Or maybe it's the Winter Olympics that are brave, venturing into the path of American Idol.

Either way, TV's February sweeps, running Thursday through March 1, promise interesting storylines, on and off the curling court. Here's a look at the highlights:

EVENTS: Super Bowl XL (Sunday, ABC): The pre-pre-game coverage starts at 11 a.m. (ET) on ESPN. At 6 p.m., the game coverage starts on ABC. At 10:15 p.m. (approximately), the post-game show wraps. At 10:16 p.m., your bloodshot eyeballs beg for mercy, and plead with you to TiVo the all-new Grey's Anatomy guest-starring Christina Ricci.
48th Annual Grammy Awards (Wednesday, CBS): Madonna joins Gorillaz for the cartoon band's first "live" TV performance. Meanwhile, back in Horrible Hall, the Groovie Goolies grow very, very jealous.
XXth Olympic Winter Games (Feb. 10-26, NBC): In partnership with its cable outlets (MSNBC, CNBC, USA), NBC plans to present 418 hours of Michelle Kwan, Bode Miller, Michelle Kwan, Apolo Anton Ohno, Michelle Kwan and assorted people with broomsticks. The action comes direct and (somewhat) live from Turin, Italy, a city to be known for two weeks by its Italian name, Torino. Curling coverage begins Feb. 13; the women's figure skating gold medal is to be decided Feb. 23.

FINALES: Surface (Monday, NBC): A tsunami bears down on North Carolina. Meanwhile, back in Burbank, network executives go over the numbers, posing the greatest threat to cast and crew. Arrested Development (Feb. 10, Fox): This is billed as a season, not series finale, but surely the buck is stopping here for the Bluths, at least on network TV. The comedy goes out with a two-hour, four-episode marathon featuring appearances by William Hung and Justine Bateman, as real-life brother Jason Bateman's "long-lost sister."
The Bachelor: Paris (Feb. 27, ABC): Dr. Travis Stork reveals which of the final two women has won his heart, more or less.

PREMIERES/RETURNS: Survivor: Panama--Exile Island (Thursday, CBS): A retired astronaut, a social worker and a yoga instructor walk into a bar... Make that, a long-running reality franchise.
Get This Party Started (Tuesday, UPN): Laguna Beach alum Kristin Cavallari helps victims of Hurricane Katrina throw the best birthday bash ever in this Extreme Makeover meets My Super Sweet 16 hybrid.
Deal or No Deal (Feb. 27, NBC): The December game show hit is back for another week's worth of box-opening fun.
The Apprentice (Feb. 27, NBC): The fifth-season opener finds Donald Trump shuffled off to Mondays, where, in his toughest challenge yet, the mogul risks losing face to Two and a Half Men.
Free Ride (March 1, Fox): A coming-of-age sitcom about a fomer BMOC now living with his parents.

VERY SPECIAL EPISODES: The View (Thursday, ABC): The daytime talk show celebrates its 2000th episode with a rare TV appearance by Regis Philbin.
That '70s Show (Thursday and Feb. 9, Fox): Mary Tyler Moore locks Mary Richards in the attic to play a "psycho boss" at the gang's local TV station.
The Bernie Mac Show (Friday, Fox): Mr. 3000's comedy turns 100 episodes old.
7th Heaven (Monday, WB): In a searing look at America's high schools, Ruthie (Mackenzie Rosman) is sent to detention where she's entertained by cabaret star Michael Feinstein.
Medium (Monday, NBC): Allison (Patricia Arquette) conks her psychic head in the bathtub.
Scrubs (Tuesday, NBC): Mandy Moore checks up on boyfriend Zach Braff at work--in back-to-back episodes, no less.
Boston Legal (Tuesday, ABC): Michael J. Fox, ending his stint as a doomed CEO, throws his own funeral. Good times.
George Lopez (Wednesday, ABC): George Lopez turns his real-life kidney ordeal into a storyline for his TV son (Luis Armand Garcia), and a guest-starring opportunity for Ken Howard, who, like Lopez, received a kidney transplant.
American Idol (Wednesday, Fox): The competition finally reaches the Hollywood round. On Feb. 21, the 12 men semifinalists take the stage, followed the next night by the 12 women semifinalists. The first viewer-mandated cuts go down Feb. 23.
Will & Grace (Feb. 9, NBC): Add Hall & Oates to the sitcom's ever-growing guest star list.
Half & Half (Feb. 13, 20, 27, UPN): Michelle Williams, the Destiny's Child singer, not the Oscar-nominated mother of Heath Ledger's baby, does a turn as a record executive.
Supernatural (Feb. 14, WB): "Sam and Dean are stunned at the evil they face in Minnesota."
America's Funniest Home Videos (Feb. 19, ABC): "A father and son wear homemade bee suits when trying to get rid of a hive on their porch, and calamity [but presumably not death] ensues."
According to Jim (Feb. 21, ABC): Real-life feuding neighbors Jim Belushi and TV Catwoman Julie Newmar put aside their differences to play feuding neighbors.
Twins (Feb. 24, WB): Nick Lachey is an ex-model who has trouble being taken seriously. Based on a completely made-up story.
America's Most Wanted: Atlanta Homicide Special Edition (Feb. 25, Fox): Don't expect the local chamber of commerce to mention this episode in the visitor information brochure.

SPECIALS A Dr. Phil Primetime Special: Love Smart (Feb. 14, CBS): The self-help guru counsels Idol judge Paula Abdul in her search for true love.
America's Next Top Model: Where the Girls Are (March 1, UPN): Tyra Banks revisits her catwalking charges from seasons past.
Barbara Walters Special (March 1, ABC): The namesake host's Oscar edition, now in its 25th year, always runs on Oscar night--except this year, when it's airing five days before the Oscars. No word yet on who Walters reduces to tears.