Summer reruns are a thing of the past. Sure, network TV series are on hiatus, but thanks to cable (and with a little help from the broadcast networks), there are alternatives to “Walker, Texas Ranger” repeats over the next few weeks.
But just because a show is new, it doesn’t necessarily follow that it’s good.
The Sci-Fi Channel and E! Entertainment Television launch two new shows this week. E! has the “Twilight Zone”-influenced anthology “Hollywood Off-Ramp,” with a special introduction at 9 p.m. Sunday before it moves to its regular 9 p.m. Monday timeslot. And Sci-Fi’s remake of “The Invisible Man” kicks off a two-hour premiere at 7 p.m. Friday.
“Off-Ramp” uses Tinseltown as a backdrop for stories of irony, intrigue and a little bit of the macabre — or it tries to.
Sunday’s show has a producer (Jason Brooks) trying to get a legendary actor (Alex Bruhanski) to commit to his film, a situation exploited by a hotel room maid (Anna Galvin). On Monday, an actor (Stephen Flynn) known for playing a homicidal maniac on film wants to show he can do more, unaware that he already has. Although host Brian Unger tries not to imitate Rod Serling, the influences are there nonetheless. And “Off-Ramp’s” overall production values leave a lot to be desired.
However, “Invisible” does have a nice overall look. That, and the appeal of star Vincent Ventresca, give a big boost to a typical story about a man cursed with power. Ventresca plays Darien Fawkes, a petty thief who dodges jail by playing guinea pig for his scientist brother’s (David Burke) experiment. Darien has a gland implanted in his head that bends light around him. The cool-looking change makes Darien look as if quicksilver (the name of the process) is being poured all over him.
But there always seem to be side effects to invisibility. In Darien’s case, his darker inhibitions are released, which get worse the longer he stays invisible. Obviously, removing the techno-gland means his death. Darien’s only salvation lies in working with the government that’s backing the project. It says something about a show on invisibility when the transformation is more interesting than the invisibility itself. After seeing the quicksilver effect, watching stuff get tossed around by unseen wires doesn’t mean that much.
Sunday
– The NBA finals are scheduled to begin either Sunday or Wednesday on NBC. Check newspaper listings for exact times, but chances are the opening tip-off will be in prime time on WMAQ-Ch. 5.
– Nickelodeon’s “Little Bill” creator Bill Cosby lends his voice to his animated series at 6:30 p.m.
– It’s Jerry Bruckheimer Night on Starz! The producer of “Con Air” has a behind-the-scenes look at his blockbuster “Armageddon” at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Bruce Willis hit itself at 7 p.m. At 9:35 p.m. is a special on Bruckheimer’s “Gone in 60 Seconds,” which bows Friday.
– In a unique agreement between CBS and PBS, the first 10 Tony Awards will be presented live at 7 p.m. on WTTW-Ch. 11. CBS then picks up the broadcast of the 54th annual Tonys at 8 p.m. with Rosie O’Donnell as host on WBBM-Ch. 2.
– David Suchet returns as Hercule Poirot in A&E’s “Lord Edgware Dies” at 7 p.m. It finds the fussy sleuth navigating the worlds of the theater and the aristocracy.
– Academy Award-winner Holly Hunter (“The Piano”) plays a coal miner’s wife at the center of a bloody labor strike, in Showtime’s “Harlan County War” at 7 p.m.
– Sylvester Stallone is “Inside the Actors Studio” at 7 p.m. on Bravo.
– The bawdy HBO comedy “Sex and the City” is back at 8 p.m. with a silly, somewhat sad, installment, with relationship-shy Carrie Bradshaw (Golden Globe-winner Sarah Jessica Parker) entangled with a politician (John Slattery). Following is Robert Wuhl’s sports comedy “Arli$$” at 8:30 p.m.
– It’s said that because of the deep-sea levels they swim in, no one has ever seen a live giant squid. Did the Smithsonian’s Dr. Clyde Roper get lucky in a 1999 expedition? Find out on the Discovery Channel’s “Quest for the Giant Squid” at 8 p.m.
Monday
– Two Baltimore filmmakers shot more than 13 years in the life of artist Dan Keplinger, who was born with cerebral palsy. The result is “King Gimp,” this year’s Oscar-winner for documentary short subject, premiering on HBO at 6 p.m.
– The Cartoon Network holds its annual “Cartoon Cartoon Summer.” Weeknights at 6:30 p.m. through Aug. 27, 11 original animated series pilots will premiere, plus 13 new episodes of current shows.
– At 7 p.m., the Discovery Channel’s Discovery Health Channel looks at Gilda’s Club, a network of hospices around the country that serve cancer patients and their families. The facilities were inspired by Gilda Radner, the “Saturday Night Live” performer who died of ovarian cancer in 1989.
– It’s a big night on the History Channel. At 7 p.m. is the latest “Great American History Quiz” with an installment that looks at the pursuit of happiness. Chevy Chase hosts, and celebrities pose questions on, such fads as the hoola-hoop, Twinkies and the Frisbee. Following at 8 p.m. is “Basketball: The Dream Teams,” a show on the best players and teams ever, including Michael Jordan’s Chicago Bulls in the 1990s.
– Invasion of privacy by the media is explored in Lifetime’s “An American Daughter” at 8 p.m. “Chicago Hope’s” Christine Lahti plays a surgeon general candidate whose life is intruded upon by personal investigations.
Tuesday
– TNT has, at 7 p.m., the first Laureus World Sports Awards, winners of which were selected by a jury of some of the globe’s most celebrated athletes. Andre Agassi, Serena Williams, the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team and amputee Brian Frasure are among the nominees.
– “M.Y.O.B.” is an NBC summer comedy about a street-smart teen (Katherine Towne), who, while looking for her mother, lands at the feet of her aunt (Lauren Graham), a high school administrator. The series bows at 8:30 p.m. on WMAQ-Ch. 5.
Wednesday
– Modern Hollywood legend Steven Spielberg is profiled on Encore’s “The Directors” at 7 p.m.
– Britney Spears performs in Hawaii for Fox’s summer concert series at 8 p.m. on WFLD-Ch. 32.
– HBO reruns the second season of “The Sopranos” at 9 p.m. Wednesdays.
Thursday
– Gospel singer Kirk Franklin, “Family Matter’s” Darius McCrary and Tamera Mowry of “Sister, Sister” star in the inspirational drama “Something to Sing About” at 7 p.m. on WCIU-Ch. 26.
– One of the most carefree of film award shows, the “2000 MTV Movie Awards,” is hosted this year by “Sex and the City’s” Sarah Jessica Parker at 8 p.m. “Best kiss,” “best fight” and “best action sequence” are among the fun categories.
– Hollywood’s Lauren Bacall talks to David Frost at 8 p.m. for A&E.
Friday
– Postponed earlier, Animal Planet is set to air “The Trial of Old Drum” at 7 p.m., based on the true story of a dog accused of murdering sheep in 1955.
– For Gay Pride Month, at 8 p.m. the Sundance Channel presents the award-winning film “Chutney Popcorn,” co-written and starring Nisha Ganatra, as a woman whose sexuality and artistic vision clash with her Americanized, traditional, Indian family.
– That annoying kids’ chant, “Are we there yet?” is the title of a new History Channel special on family vacationing in America at 8 p.m.
Saturday
– Chicago African-American sketch comedy group Forgotten City is on WLS-Ch. 7’s “People, Places and Things” at 6 p.m.
– CBS’ eight-episode mob drama “Falcone” reruns each week at 9 p.m. on WBBM-Ch. 2. One reason the series didn’t do too well (besides comparisons to “The Sopranos”) is that it aired over consecutive nights. Viewers might not have wanted to invest that kind of time.
– “Politically Incorrect” host Bill Maher goes live on HBO with his special “Be More Cynical” at 10 p.m.
