Smits to return to 'NYPD Blue' for 1 episode

ZAP2IT.COM
Jimmy Smits is returning to ABC's "NYPD Blue" for one last appearance, targeted for the November sweeps period.
But wait, many fans are screaming, Smits' Bobby Simone died seasons ago in the episode titled "Hearts and Souls." Dennis Franz cried. Fans cried. Emmy voters cried and nominated Smits for an Emmy. How can he possibly be coming back?
Well, we'd tell you, but then ABC would kill us and probably you as well. The network is promoting that on Tuesday, Smits will appear in the "NYPD Blue" episode titled "The Vision Thing." Screeners have even been sent out to reviewers, who can appear smug for the next couple of weeks, since everybody has been sworn to secrecy.
According to an ABC source, the show's team initially hoped that Smits' appearance could be a surprise. However, ABC has decided to promote the mystery of the Smits return in an effort to goose the rating for the Emmy-winning drama, which has struggled in its final season against NBC's "Law & amp; Order: Special Victims Unit" and CBS' "Judging Amy."
Smits joined "NYPD Blue" in its second season as a de facto replacement for David Caruso's Det. John Kelly and earned five Emmy nominations during his tenure. The actor, who won his only Emmy in 1990 for "LA Law," is keeping busy, joining the cast of NBC's "The West Wing" as a potential presidential candidate. He has also signed a deal with ABC and Touchstone TV to star in a new drama after the completion of his "West Wing" run.