Summer Preview 2017: A Genre-Friendly List of New Shows and Returning Favorites
Preview
REALITY/COMPETITION
Whose Line Is It Anyway? Returns Monday, May 29, 9/8c, The CW After four years, you’d think they’d have figured out whose line it was! Host Aisha Tyler returns along with cast members Ryan Stiles, Wayne Brady and Colin Mochrie and special guests for more improvised insanity and off-the-cuff laughs.
America’s Got Talent Returns Tuesday, May 30, 8/7c, NBC Contortionists, comedians and jugglers, oh my! New host Tyra Banks is out to prove she can herd acts as well as she can model. We’re all smizes just thinking about it.
Fear Factor Returns Tuesday, May 30, 10/9c, MTV The break-through reality series gets a major Millennial update. Rapper Ludacris hosts the retooled show in which contestants confront their fears in stunts based on urban legends, horror flicks and viral videos.
World of Dance Premieres Tuesday, May 30, 10/9c, NBC Jennifer Lopez (who also executive produces), R&B artist Ne-Yo and Dancing With the Stars’ Derek Hough judge the best dancers from around the world on performance, technique, creativity and more, with each contestant hoping to win the $1 million grand prize.
American Grit Returns Sunday, June 11, 9/8c, Fox WWE Superstar John Cena and an elite group of military heroes challenge contestants to find the strength and determination within themselves to overcome military-style obstacles—and get a cool $250,000 in the process.
American Ninja Warrior Returns Monday, June 12, 8/7c, NBCThe extreme-fitness show adds two new cities (Daytona Beach and Cleveland) to its qualifying rounds in the search for a competitor strong, agile and crazy enough to complete its four-stage final course in Las Vegas.
So You Think You Can Dance Returns Monday, June 12, 8/7c, Fox The competition’s theme this year is “Back to Basics.” And what better way to go back to basics than to see original judge Mary “Tamale Train” Murphy return to the panel after a two-year absence? She and executive producer Nigel Lythgoe will be helped out by a series of guest judges, beginning with a very enthusiastic Vanessa Hudgens.
Face Off: Divide and Conquer Returns Tuesday, June 13, 9/8c, Syfy The movie-makeup competition is shaking things up this time around: Rather than vying on their own, Season 12’s artists will go (prosthetic) head-to-head as teams representing two separate FX shops.
Little Big Shots: Forever Young Premieres Wednesday, June 21, 8/7c, NBC Little Big Shots host Steve Harvey returns with talented performers from the other end of the age spectrum: senior citizens. Ranging from 60 to 103 years young, the artists include musicians, comedians, contortionists and even a pole dancer!
Boy Band Premieres Thursday, June 22, 8/7c, ABC This 10-episode series goes behind the scenes as hundreds of wannabe Justin Timberlakes (or Joey Fatones, depending on your taste) sing their hearts out to be part of America’s next big boy band.
Big Brother Returns Wednesday, June 28, 8/7c, CBS More strangers are picked to live in a house and have their lives caught on high-definition cameras so we can find out what happens when people stop being polite and really want to score $500,000.
Battle of the Network Stars Premieres Thursday,June 29, 9/8c, ABC The names of the celebrities who will hit the field when this 40-year-old TV classic returns weren’t announced by press time. But rest assured they will play tug-o’-war.
DRAMAS
Nashville Returns Thursday, June 1, 9/8c, CMT The dent Rayna’s (Connie Britton) death put in Music City’s population ends when Rachel Bilson and Kaitlin Doubleday join the cast as Alyssa, a hotshot marketing expert, and Jessie, a defamed singer, respectively. Plus, Scarlett (Clare Bowen) is having a baby!
Queen of the South Returns Thursday, June 8, 10/9c, USA Teresa (Alice Braga) struggles to rebuild her drug-trafficking empire with help from her underworld mentor, Camila (Veronica Falcón).
Turn: Washington’s Spies Returns Saturday, June 17, 9/8c, AMC Patriot turned Redcoat Benedict Arnold (Owain Yeoman) goes batty as the war nears a bloody finale and he realizes he picked the losing side. His solution: Start hunting suspected spies willy-nilly. And we all know how that ended for him.
Queen Sugar Returns Tuesday, June 20, 10/9c, OWN (moves to its regular timeslot on Wednesday, June 21, 10/9c) Nova’s (Rutina Wesley) personal life gets sweeter than the contents of her family’s sugar mill when former lover D’Andre (Yohance Myles) resurfaces looking to pick up where they left off.
The Night Shift Returns Thursday, June 22, 10/9c, NBC And you thought the explosion in last summer’s finale was fiery! Meet San Antonio Memorial’s new emergency room nurse, Cain Diaz (Mark Consuelos). He’s confident, aggressive and does not like to be told that he’s wrong.
Power Returns Sunday, June 25, 9/8c, Starz On trial for a murder he didn’t commit, jailed drug dealer James “Ghost” St. Patrick (Omari Hardwick) must convince the Feds that he’s really just a superwealthy but squeaky-clean club owner who definitely doesn’t have a street name like “Ghost.”
Snowfall Premieres Wednesday, July 5, 10/9c, FX Boyz n the Hood director John Singleton is one of the big names behind this drug drama set in crack-filled 1983 Los Angeles. It follows four people whose lives are about to collide: a young dealer, a Mexican wrestler with mob ties, a CIA operative and a cartel princess.
Will Premieres Monday, July 10, 9/8c, TNT Manhattan in the ’70s couldn’t match the debauchery of this show’s 16th-century London. At the heart of it all is lover, writer and party boy William Shakespeare (Laurie Davidson), who is determined to revolutionize theater. (Spoiler alert: He does.)
The Fosters Returns Tuesday, July 11, 8/7c, Freeform This critically acclaimed series about a blended family has tackled its share of heavy topics, and the Season 5 premiere doesn’t disappoint, touching upon child prostitution, public versus private schooling and teenage pregnancy.
Suits Returns Wednesday, July 12, 9/8c, USA It’s official: Mike (Patrick J. Adams) is a lawyer! But that doesn’t mean he won’t make trouble when he goes back to work at the firm with Harvey (Gabriel Macht, above with Adams) and has to face associate training under Louis (Rick Hoffman).
Shooter Returns Tuesday, July 18, 10/9c, USA Former sniper Bob Lee Swagger (Ryan Phillippe) is so close to living a normal life that he can almost taste apple pie. But just as he’s about to take a bite, a nemesis from his past returns—and what he’s bringing with him isn’t whipped cream.
Get Shorty Premieres Sunday, August 13, 10/9c, Epix Chris O’Dowd plays a mobster who tries to go straight as a movie producer. Ray Romano costars as the low-rent Hollywood vet who becomes his partner in this series inspired by the 1995 film.
GAME SHOWS
Big Star Little Star Premieres Wednesday, May 31, 9/8c, USA Cat Deeley hosts this cross between The Newlywed Game and Family Feud. Three stars and their kids are the contestants trying to see which parent-child pairing knows each other best—and revealing hilarious family intel in the process.
Celebrity Family Feud Returns Sunday, June 11, 8/7c, ABC Steve Harvey is back for emcee duty. And Amy Schumer, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, George Lopez, Eva Longoria and Kelly Clarkson are just a few of the famous faces who will be in the family way this summer. The celebs bring along their nearest and dearest to battle it out for charity.
Steve Harvey’s Funderdome Premieres Sunday, June 11, 9/8c, ABC Two entrepreneurs enter, one leaves! Harvey (him again!) oversees this battle royal of million-dollar ideas as two wannabe moguls pit their big product pitches against one another. Whoever earns the kudos of the studio audience stands to win the seed money they need to make it big.
The $100,000 Pyramid Returns Sunday, June 11, 10/9c, ABC Michael Strahan reprises hosting duties for a second season, and he’s bringing an all-star lineup with him. Ken Jeong, Tom Bergeron, Margaret Cho, Dr. Oz, Vanessa Williams and more are on deck to help some civilians make it to the winner’s circle.
To Tell the Truth Returns, Wednesday, June 14, 10/9c, ABC Black-ish star Anthony Anderson and his red-carpet buddy and real-life mama, Doris, team up to help a panel of celebs grill three people who all claim to be the same remarkable individual—but only one is the genuine article. Will these famous faces be able to tell the real deal from the tricky impostors?
Hollywood Game Night Returns Thursday, June 22, 8/7c, NBC Among the celebrities playing party games with returning ringleader Jane Lynch? This Is Us trio Justin Hartley, Sterling K. Brown and Chrissy Metz, plus Superstore’s Ben Feldman, singer Michael Bolton, Margaret Cho (again!), Gabby Douglas, Chris Hardwick, Taye Diggs and RuPaul.
The Wall Returns Thursday, June 22, 9/8c, NBC The groups on this Chris Hardwick–hosted show are aiming to win life-changing cash prizes via a giant high-tech, Plinko-like panel. With up to $12 million on the line, they’ll have to be on point with current pop-culture trivia and basic knowledge. Then they’re at the mercy of fate—and gravity.
The Gong Show Premieres Thursday, June 22, 10/9c, ABC Arrested Development’s Will Arnett executive produces this 21st-century revival (featuring host “Tommy Maitland”—whom some believe to be a heavily disguised Mike Myers), with a revolving judges’ panel presiding over the very unusual talents of common folk doing their best to impress. But will we get to see a new Gene Gene the Dancing Machine or a paper-bag-wearing Unknown Comic?
Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Fear the Walking Dead Returns Sunday, June 4, 9/8c, AMC Can the survivors rebuild society on the U.S.–Mexican border? Not when the mysterious Strand (Colman Domingo) is scheming to control the new currency. But heroes Madison (Kim Dickens) and Travis (Cliff Curtis) have reunited, and it feels so good, right? Right?
Wynonna Earp Returns Friday, June 9, 10/9c, Syfy It took lots of sharpshooting from outlaw sisters Wynonna (Melanie Scrofano) and Waverly Earp (Dominique Provost-Chalkley) to save the city of Purgatory from demons last season. Now, even more monsters are moseying into town.
The Mist Premieres Thursday, June 22, 10/9c, Spike A mysterious fog brings death, destruction and bloodthirsty prehistoric-looking creatures to a small New England town in this adaptation of Stephen King’s popular novella.
Preacher Returns Sunday, June 25, 10/9c, AMC With nowhere to live, thanks to that methane explosion last season, Reverend Jesse (Dominic Cooper), gun-toting Tulip (Ruth Negga) and boozy vampire Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) hit the road to, literally, find God.
Cleverman Returns Wednesday, June 28, 10/9c, Sundance Koen (Hunter Page-Lochard) might realize his full powers and end the war between the humans and Hairypeople—if his jealous brother, Waruu (Rob Collins), and bad billionaire Slade (Iain Glen) don’t muck it up.
Zoo Returns Thursday, June 29, 10/9c, CBS The gas used to stop the animal apocalypse has sterilized humankind, and the only man with a fix, Mitch Morgan (Billy Burke), is dead. Or is he? After a tip, the team reunites to find the scientist.
Killjoys Returns Friday, June 30, 9/8c, Syfy They killed her father; they should be prepared to die: Bounty hunters-cum-heroes Dutch (Hannah John-Kamen), John (Aaron Ashmore) and D’avin (Luke Macfarlane) race to protect the J Star System from vengeful Aneela (also John-Kamen).
The Strain Returns Sunday, July 16, 10/9c, FX Nine months after a nuclear explosion plunged the world into darkness, the strigoi (aka evil bloodsuckers) and their leader, the Master, now totally control humankind—making it impossible for hero Ephraim (Corey Stoll) and Co. to reteam for a rebellion.
Somewhere Between Premieres Monday, July 24, 10/9c, ABC A successful San Francisco news producer (Paula Patton) is convinced her 8-year-old daughter is about to be murdered—it’s by whom, with what and why that she needs to figure out.
People of Earth Returns July, TBS Former SNL cast member Nasim Pedrad joins the series as a disgraced FBI agent who comes to Beacon to arrest newspaper owner Jonathan Walsh (Michael Cassidy) for white-collar crimes—not, apparently, for possibly being dangerous.
Sharknado 5 Premieres Sunday, August 5, 8/7c, Syfy They’re going to need a bigger umbrella. The deadly, flying-killer-fish-infested storms that decimated North America in the franchise’s previous installments can now cross oceans, forcing heroes Fin Shepard (Ian Ziering) and April Wexler (Tara Reid) to prepare for the worst: a global sharknado.
The Last Ship Returns Sunday, August 20, 9/8c, TNT Just when he thought he was out, retired Captain Chandler (Eric Dane) is pulled back to the front lines when the virus that caused the heretofore cured Red Flu begins infecting crops.
Comedy
The Carmichael Show Returns Wednesday, May 31, 9/8c, NBC The most modern topical family sitcom since Roseanne doesn’t lose any of its edge in Season 3, with episodes addressing gay marriage, gun violence, sexual assault, supporting the troops…and oversharing on social media.
Odd Mom Out Returns Wednesday, July 12, 10/9c, Bravo Jill (Jill Kargman) and Andy (Andy Buckley) are suddenly the richest couple on the block thanks to genius investor/fraudster Ernie (Bruce Altman), who handled (and stole) everyone’s money but theirs.
Ballers Returns Sunday, July 23, 10/9c, HBO Steve Guttenberg joins the cast as a Las Vegas casino owner and real estate magnate who crosses paths with Dwayne Johnson’s football star turned financial manager, Spencer Strasmore.
Insecure Returns Sunday, July 23, 10:30/9:30c, HBO Is now-single Issa (Issa Rae) ready to make more confident decisions about life and love? You bet your butt she isn’t.
Marlon Premieres Wednesday, August 16 9/8c, NBC The youngest Wayans brother, Marlon, plays an immature internet celebrity who is determined to coparent his children with his ex-wife, who actually acts like a grown-up.
Episodes Returns Sunday, August 20, 10/9c, Showtime This showbiz satire’s final season begins at a low point—or at least what Hollywood considers a low point: Matt (Matt LeBlanc) is stuck hosting a game show. Plus, Sean (Stephen Mangan) and Beverly (Tamsin Greig) have to deal with Sean’s ex-writing partner scamming his way into a showrunner job on their series.
Survivor’s Remorse Returns Sunday, August 20, 10/9c, Starz Isaiah Washington suits up for a multiepisode arc as basketball star Cam’s (Jessie T. Usher) estranged and incarcerated father, who now wants to atone for all the terrible things he did.
Broad City Returns Wednesday, August 23, 10:30/9:30c, Comedy Central For the first time, the show is set during the winter in New York City. So what do Abbi (Abbi Jacobson) and Ilana (Ilana Glazer) get up to in the cold? They celebrate their Friendiversary, trip on mushrooms, try being witches and ditch town for Florida. You know, what all New Yorkers do in the winter.
