In the summertime, when the weather sizzles, televisions don’t brown in the sun or break a sweat. The boob tube’s seasonal barometer is an influx of reality-TV programming, and this year is no different for networks looking to flesh out their summer schedules.
But ABC isn’t just relying on new reality programs: Desperate executives are reaching into the past for old reality shows that once spelled success. The Alphabet network is reviving “The Mole” (the fifth season debuts June 2) and “The Bachelorette,” which rolled out a fourth installment last week. Former ratings hits, “The Mole” hasn’t aired in four years, and “The Bachelorette” hasn’t seen the light of day for three, punctuating the toll the writers strike has taken on broadcast TV even in terms of temporary summer programming.
CBS and NBC are taking a less tried- and-true approach and going straight for the ridiculous. The Eye network is actually introducing a rover reality show called “Greatest American Dog” and a semi-intriguing advertising talent search titled “Jingles.”
Not to be outdone, NBC has a Big Top offering called “Celebrity Circus,” with D-listers like Christopher Knight (“The Brady Bunch”) leading the charge, and “The Baby Borrowers,” an experimental show that teaches teenagers about the trials and tribulations of parenthood by handing them instant families. But enough about reality TV.
The few bright spots of this summer are HBO’s Documentary Film Series, which touts a provocative new offering every Monday beginning June 9, and a comedic drama on Showtime about a high-paid prostitute living a double life in “Secret Diary of a Call Girl.”
Fans of “Mad Men” (AMC), “The Closer” (TNT), “Monk” (USA Network) and “Weeds” (Showtime) can expect highly anticipated season returns for all four series, despite AMC’s failure to set an exact air date for “Mad Men.” Meanwhile, CBS hopes to offset the absurd with a juicy and risque drama about spouse swapping called “Swingtown.”
