Shows to watch on TV this summer PAGE D1
It isn’t all bleak — ABC is resurrecting silly fun of ‘Battle of the Network Stars’
SUMMER isn’t usually the best season for television. Traditionally, the networks have filled their schedules with reality shows and reruns, and that hasn’t changed much this year. Fortunately, with the availability of streaming services and the cable, summer television has plenty to offer.
The highly anticipated penultimate season of “Game of Thrones” begins in July and critically-acclaimed sci-fi thriller, “Orphan Black,” returns for its fifth and final season this weekend.
There’s also a host of new series, several game shows and a horror series called “Midnight, Texas,” coming to the schedule.
Here’s a look at some of the shows to get ready for.
‘Orange Is the New Black’ FRIDAY
A riot sparked by Poussey’s death quickly escalates when the inmates gain control of the prison. (Netflix)
‘Orphan Black’ SATURDAY
The final showdown with Rachel, the one clone at the center of it all who’s sought to destroy Sarah and her sestras from day one begins. (BBC)
‘American Grit’ SUNDAY
Superstar John Cena brings 17 new competitors — all who either have lost their grit or never had it. In the end, only one competitor will win a quarter of a million dollars, but hopefully, all of them will find their grit. (Fox)
‘The $100,000 Pyramid’ SUNDAY
The $100,000 Pyramid returns for its second season on ABC, hosted by “Good Morning America” co-anchor and Houston native Michael Strahan. (ABC)
‘Celebrity Family Feud’ SUNDAY
A celebrity version of “Family Feud,” returns to ABC this summer for a third season. (ABC)
‘Claws’ SUNDAY
This show follows the rise of five diverse and treacherous manicurists working at the Nail Artisan of Manatee County salon, where there is a lot more going on than silk wraps and pedicures. (TNT)
‘Steve Harvey’s Funderdome’ SUNDAY
Here’s a seed-funding competition reality series where two budding entrepreneurs go headto-head to win over a live studio audience to fund their ideas, products or companies. (ABC)
‘American Ninja Warrior’ MONDAY
The action-packed series follows competitors as they tackle a series of challenging obstacle courses across the country. (NBC)
‘Superhuman’ MONDAY
Hosted by actor Kal Penn, and featuring panelists Mike Tyson, Christina Milian and Dr. Rahul Jandial, this jaw-dropping series of one-hour episodes tests the abilities of ordinary people to use their extraordinary skills to win a $50,000 grand prize. (Fox)
‘So You Think You Can Dance’ MONDAY
Highly-skilled dancers between the ages of 18 and 30 will showcase their talents in various dance styles, including contemporary, tap, hiphop, ballroom, animation, breaking and more. (Fox)
‘Blood Drive’ WEDNESDAY
After Los Angeles’ last good cop is forced to join a twisted cross-country death race, his only hope of survival is a dangerous femme fatale who has the need for speed. Oh, and forget gasoline, these cars run on human blood! (Syfy)
‘Wrecked’ JUNE 20
This survival comedy follows a diverse group of airplane passengers stranded on an uninhabited island. (TBS)
‘Queen Sugar’ JUNE 20
In the series’ second season, the contemporary drama returns as the Bordelon siblings struggle to move forward with their lives as they strive to honor the legacy of their father following his unexpected passing. (OWN)
‘Boy Band’ JUNE 22
A new series where talented singers battle it out to become a member of the next great music sensation. And viewers at home will vote for their favorite five band members, live, creating a group America can truly call its own. (ABC)
‘The Gong Show’ JUNE 22
The return of television’s most irreverent talent show competition will celebrate unusually talented and unique performers with a revolving panel of judges featuring Hollywood’s hottest stars. (ABC)
‘Hollywood Game Night’ JUNE 22
The show and host Jane Lynch, returns for a fifth season with various celebrities. (NBC)
‘The Night Shift’ JUNE 22
Doctors, nurses and the medical staff at San Antonio Memorial Hospital will be busier than ever during the fourth season of the fastpaced medical drama. (NBC)
‘GLOW’ JUNE 23
This series tells the fictional story of Ruth Wilder, an out-of-work, struggling actress in 1980s Los Angeles who finds one last chance for stardom when she’s thrust into the glitter and spandex world of women’s wrestling. (Netflix)
‘Preacher’ JUNE 25
The second season, follows a West Texas preacher, his badass ex-girlfriend and an Irish vampire as they embark on a road trip to find God. (AMC)
‘Power’ JUNE 25
Season four picks up on the heels of James “Ghost” St. Patrick’s highly publicized arrest for murder — a crime he did not commit. (Starz)
‘Big Brother’ JUNE 28
Another season watching a group of people living together in a house outfitted with 87 HD cameras - seven more than last year. (CBS)
‘Zoo’ JUNE 29
In season three, the year is 2027 and the world has reached a tipping point in the clash of humans, animals and “hybrids.” (CBS)
‘Battle of the Network Stars’ JUNE 29
The television popculture classic putting celebs through athletic challenges is revived. (ABC)
‘Gypsy’ JUNE 30
Jean Halloway (Naomi Watts) is a Manhattan therapist with a seemingly picturesque life who begins to develop intimate and illicit relationships with the people in her patients’ lives. (Netflix)
‘Candy Crush’ JULY 9
The game that has become a worldwide phenomenon comes to life as teams of two people use their wits and physical agility to compete on enormous, interactive game boards featuring next generation technology. (CBS)
‘Salvation’ JULY 12
The show centers on the staggering discovery that an asteroid is just six months away from colliding with Earth. (CBS)
‘Hooten & the Lady’ JULY 13
Two globetrotting treasure hunters set out to recover priceless legendary artifacts. (The CW)
‘Friends From College’ JULY 14
A group of friends from Harvard are facing down their forties. Starring the likes of Keegan-Michael Key, Cobie Smulders and Fred Savage. (Netflix)
‘Game of Thrones’ JULY 16
“Game of Thrones” mania returns for the seven-episode seventh season. (HBO)
‘The Strain’ JULY 16
As the fourth and final season begins, nine months have passed, the world has fallen into darkness, and the strigoi are in control. . In the face of annihilation do our heroes have what it takes to save humankind? (FX)
‘Shooter’ JULY 18
Season two of Shooter follows the journey of Bob Lee Swagger, a highly decorated veteran who must confront a nemesis from his past. (USA)
‘Insecure’ JULY 23
Issa Rae’s acclaimed series returns for a second season, following the friendship of two black women as they deal with their own real-life flaws while attempting to cope with an endless series of uncomfortable everyday experiences. (HBO)
‘Ballers’ JULY 23
The show looks at the lives of former and current football players, following former superstar-turned-financial manager Spencer Strasmore (Dwayne Johnson). (HBO)
‘Midnight, Texas’ JULY 24
Based on the bestselling book series by Charlaine Harris, “Midnight, Texas” stars François Arnaud as Manfred, a charming, powerful psychic who can communicate with spirits and finds safety surrounding himself with both human and supernatural allies. (NBC)
‘Ray Donovan’ AUGUST 6
The new season finds Ray turning his attention back to Hollywood and his celebrity fixer firm. (Showtime)
‘Bachelor in Paradise’ AUGUST 8
The fourth season returns with all the shocking twists, surprises, unexpected guests and some of the most unlikely relationships in “Bachelor” history. (ABC)
‘Difficult People’ AUGUST 8
Season three finds Julie and Billy remaining each other’s best friends while still their own worst enemies. (Hulu)
‘The Wall’ AUGUST 10
Like life itself, this game show is unpredictable. Chris Hardwick hosts. (NBC)
‘Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update’ AUGUST 10
NBC is bringing a latenight institution to prime time with a four-episode order for this half-hour telecast feature “Weekend Update” anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che. (NBC)
‘Marlon’ AUGUST 16
Loosely inspired by the real life of star Marlon Wayans, this update to the classic family comedy centers on a loving (but inappropriate) father committed to coparenting his two kids with his very-together ex-wife. (NBC)
‘The Last Ship’ AUGUST 20
TNT’s drama returns with a new mission to save humanity as the world continues to struggle for survival. (TNT)
‘Episodes’ AUGUST 20
At the start of the final season several months have passed and the game show is now a runaway hit. Unfortunately for Matt (Matt LeBlanc), this means he is now only thought of as a game show host, his years as an actor completely forgotten. (Showtime)
‘Marvel’s The Defenders’ AUGUST 25
Marvel’s latest super hero series follows Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist, a quartet of heroes with one common goal — to save New York City. (Netflix)