There was a time when the summer wasn’t really considered a TV season; it’s the summer, when many of us tend to spend our days and nights outside, with friends, family, enjoying the weather, or traveling to places old and new. We didn’t typically sit at home and watch TV. But that’s changed in the last few years, as more and more networks look to the summer as an actual season to program new, original content for.
With the 2017 summer just a few months away (we’re already passed the halfway point for March), TV networks have begun unveiling their respective programming lineups for the season.
This afternoon, NBC rolled out an ambitious summer schedule that includes the premiere of “Marlon,” a family comedy loosely inspired by the real life of star Marlon Wayans; and the scripted “Midnight, Texas,” based on the New York Times best-selling book series by Charlaine Harris (author of the novels that inspired “True Blood”).
Premiering August 16 at 9pm, “Marlon” is 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 co-parenting his two kids with his very-together ex-wife. While his misguided fatherly advice, unstoppable larger-than-life personality and unpredictable Internet superstardom might get in the way sometimes, for Marlon, family really always does come first – even if he’s the biggest kid of all.
The cast includes Marlon Wayans, Essence Atkins, Bresha Webb, Diallo Riddle, Notlim Taylor and Amir O’Neil.
Premiering July 25 at 10pm, “Midnight, Texas” centers on Manfred, a charming, powerful psychic who can communicate with spirits and finds safety in Midnight surrounding himself with both human and supernatural allies. Midnight is also home to Bobo, proprietor of Midnight’s local pawn shop; Fiji, a witch who owns the local wiccan shop; Olivia, a mysterious assassin with a weapon for every occasion; Joe, an angel who knows all of Midnight’s secrets having been around for millennia; Lemuel, a wise vampire with a long history in Midnight; Creek, an aspiring writer with big dreams; and Rev. Emilio Sheehan, who can’t resist the pull of a full moon.
Of note, Fiji, the witch who owns the local wiccan shop is played by Parisa Fitz-Henley (“Luke Cage”), and Lemuel, the wise vampire with a long history in Midnight is played by Peter Mensah (“True Blood”).
Also joining NBC’s alternative summer slate is the new comedy/variety series “Little Big Shots: Forever Young,” hosted by Steve Harvey (June 21, 8pm).
Meanwhile, returning for its third season is the critical fave “The Carmichael Show” (May 31st, 9pm); also the summer will see the return of the #1 show of summer, “America’s Got Talent,” with new host Tyra Banks (May 30th, 8pm).
In addition, NBC is bringing a late-night institution to primetime with a four-episode order for “Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update,” premiering on August 10 at 9pm. The half-hour telecast will feature “Weekend Update” anchors Michael Che and Colin Jost. Additional “Saturday Night Live” cast members will also make appearances.
Of all the above new and returning, scripted and non-scripted series coming this summer, what’s of most interest to you?
