WHEN some of the big broadcast networks announced plans recently to beef up their summer slates with new series, they made it sound like it was some sort of big innovation.
The truth is, the summer has been a pretty active TV season for a number of years – only not on the networks, but on cable. So, while the broadcast nets are making a big deal about their summer plans, they’re really just playing catchup.
Anyway, what do we care? For you and me, the handful of new series coming to Fox and NBC this summer just means there will be more to choose from. And just because the networks have decided not to go on vacation this summer, that doesn’t mean everything they’re offering will be worth trying.
For example, Fox has a series coming up called “The Jury” (premiering Tuesday, June 8, at 8 p.m.) – TV’s first-ever jury-duty drama – that’s being hyped like mad because it’s from two respected producers, Tom Fontana and Barry Levinson. I respect those guys too, but I found the premiere episode I watched recently to be about as dull as real jury duty.
I’m much more excited about the return of “Monk,” especially since the third season is set to begin with the germophobic Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub) visiting New York, the capital of all germdom. “Monk” premieres Friday, June 18, at 10 p.m. on USA Network.
USA has always been particularly active in the summer. “The Dead Zone” returns Sunday, June 6, for a third season. And the network has a new high-octane made-for-TV movie this week starring, of all people, Dennis Hopper. It’s called “The Last Ride” and it premieres Wednesday at 8.
As usual in the summer, a number of reality shows are on the way, but don’t hold your breath waiting for the next “Survivor” or “American Idol.”
Bravo’s beauty salon show, “Blow Out” (Tuesday, June 8, at 9) is from the producers of “The Restaurant,” which was a personal favorite, although it wound up tanking in the ratings.
On Fox, spoiled rich girls Nicole Richie and Paris Hilton return Wednesday, June 16, at 9, for “The Simple Life II: Road Trip,” in which they’ll visit multiple rural locations. I have a feeling this sequel will not score nearly as well as the original “Simple Life” for the simple reason that we’re all Paris-ed out.
The only really new reality concept on the way seems to be NBC’s “Next Action Star,” in which a bunch of physically fit young people will compete to star in an action movie. It premieres Tuesday, June 15, at 8.