Summer TV Roundup — Week Eight

We are in the midst of summer, and the new shows continue fast and furiously. In these weekly posts I look at the new shows of summer, reviewing the pilot and second episode. If you don't see a new show below, check previous weeks.

Tuesday Nights:
Zoo, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on CBS (Premiered June 30)
About: This show, based on the novel by James Patterson, is about what would happen in the world if animals started to question their place in the food chain. In the premier episode, some of the possible scientific ground work was laid, and some lions went on the prowl. Also, some house cats started to act weird. Some people might not be afraid of house cats, and that's understandable, but I thought that was somewhat creepy. I also like James Wolk in the lead role, and I think this series has some potential. I think summer series get viewed differently than the fall. In the fall, I might not care enough to watch this show each week. During the summer, it just might work. I am intrigued after one episode.
Pilot Grade: C+

Scream, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on MTV (Premiered June 30)
About: I am one of those people that not only loved the movie "Scream," but see it as an important and seminal film. It said a lot about culture, and it redefined a film genre. So, 19 years after the original film debuted, I was curious to see how this show would be. I didn't think it was a concept that worked as a weekly series, and the pilot for MTV bared that out. The pilot was a rough watch — both in terms of story, characters, and performances. Though it's hard to be completely critical of the actors because the dialogue was incredibly poor. It felt like the kind of lines that would be written by middle age men channeling their inner 16-year-old girl. There wasn't much about the first hour that wasn't groan-inducing, for me. Do yourself a favor, watch the movie instead.
Pilot Grade: D

Another Period, Tuesdays at 10:30 p.m. on Comedy Central (Premiered June 23)
About: This comedy series is supposed to be a satire in the style of "Downton Abbey" meets "The Kardasians." Riki Lindhome and Natasha Legero are talented and can be funny. This show has a deep cast, too. But I thought the second episode was possibly more unwatchable than the first. There is a certain demographic that will be excited by this kind of show on Comedy Central, but I'm not it. I thought this was dreadful, and felt a lot longer than half an hour.
Pilot Grade: D
Second Episode: D

Wednesday Nights:
Mr. Robot, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on USA (Premiered June 24)
About: This latest series from USA is about a computer hacker who works for a security company but is also drawn to an anarchist group that wants to bring down the financial system from the inside. It's got a wildly original voice, and the first two episodes have had a wonderful cadence. Star Rami Malek is brilliant as Elliot, providing fascinating character insight through his near constant voice over narration. He's also has an incredibly expressive face and great mannerisms. He brings you inside Elliot's head, and helps give the show a clear focal point. Christian Slater is doing nice work here, too, as Mr. Robot, the leader of the anarchist group. This is one of the best shows of the summer.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: B

Thursday Nights:
Boom, Thursdays at 8 p.m. on FOX (Premiered June 25)
About: This new game show is a cross between an old Nickelodeon game show that slimmed people and "Who Wants to be a Millionaire." Teams of people have to answer quiz show questions correctly to diffuse a bomb and win money. If they don't, the bomb goes off and splatters them with something. It's entertaining, and the questions were interesting. Host Tom Papa does a nice job of keeping things going. It's not a show that's required viewing, but it's an entertaining hour.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C+

Sunday Nights:
Humans, Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC (Premiered June 28)
About: This co-production of AMC and the BBC is set in an alternate world where robots — dubbed Synths — do menial tasks and are an expected part of daily life. Part of the show is about how different people in different situations deal with their Synth experience. And part of the show is about the Synths coming to live, developing consciousness, and rebelling against the casts put upon them. Their is the bones of an interesting idea here — one that's been explored a few times in various situations and other shows and movies. But through two episodes, I found "Humans" somewhat plodding and dull. The acting is OK, but I didn't invest enough in any of the characters through two hours to really care where it's heading. It wants to be great and compelling, but I think this show is simply OK.
Pilot Grade: C+
Second Episode: C