Summer TV Roundup, Week 13

In eras past we wouldn't really have new scripted shows this time of year. But that's not the era we live in. That being said, this is about the slowest flow of new shows as you're gonna get during the year now. It's basically a trickle, and this summer hasn't provided much oomph on the small screen. But I'm here to review the pilot and second episode of new scripted series this summer. Don't see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Tuesday Nights:
The Outpost, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on The CW (Premiered July 10)
About: I went over the fact this show was a confused mess last week. So I don't want to belabor the point again. I watched the second episode and, to me, it didn't get better on any of those points. This is obviously a cheap foreign co-production, and the CW is simply hoping for some summer eyeballs. Maybe it will give them that. And maybe there is a demographic that this series appeals to that will provide an audience. But I didn't think either episode was that compelling, the characters and story development was lacking. This is a pass for me, and remains one of the worst new shows I've seen this year.
Pilot Grade: D
Second Episode: D

Wednesday Nights:
Bobcat Goldthwait's Misfits and Monsters, Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on TruTV (Premiered July 11)
About: This comedy/horror anthology series features a different self-contained story each episode. That's a tough trick to pull off in 20 or so minutes, but one that this series has done pretty well with. Each episode has had a different cast, different story and somewhat different tone. The first episode was a live-action cartoon hybrid about the voice actor of a famous character who began to be haunted by the creation he gave voice to. The second was somewhat of a political satire. It was set in the 1970s, and the secret the candidate was hiding was that he was a werewolf, but it was clearly meant to be a shot across the bow at a country that will seemingly take any horrifying revelation in stride when electing a "brash outsider" to the nation's highest office. Likely that second episode in particular won't sit well with some audiences. And, in fact, this feels like the kind of niche series that is going to have a specific audience. It's on a relatively obscure cable channel best known for reality prank shows, so that makes sense. This series was OK, and both episodes were well produced and entertaining, but your love for the series will likely depend on how you feel about the content and format. And it might vary from week-to-week.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Thursday Nights:
Trial & Error: Lady Killer, Thursdays at 9 p.m. on NBC (Premiered July 19)
About: NBC launched the mockumentary comedy "Trial & Error" last summer. It is done documentary-style, following the defense team in a murder trial in a small southern town. John Lithgow was the accused, and the rest of the story was built around the quirky and unlikely heroes on his defense team, and the rest of the colorful folks in the town. I'm not sure folks realized it would be an anthology when it debuted last summer (I know I didn't), but that's the route NBC went. And this season Lithgow is gone and a new client, played by Kristen Chenoweth is in. I watched the first two episodes of the new season, and I enjoyed them more than the first. And I think in this uncrowded summer period, this is a good show to slide right in. The main recurring players, defense attorney Josh (Nicholas D'Agosto) and prosecutor Carol Anne Keane (Jayma Mays), do a nice job and play off each other well. I thought this was one of the more entertaining offerings so far this summer.
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: C+