Summer TV Roundup, Week 16

 

The month of August is nearly half over, and yet new shows keep flowing. We’ll quickly turn from summer to fall, but with the ongoing strike we aren’t seeing the flood as in year’s past. Still, if you’re a discerning viewer, you want to know what’s worth your time to check out. Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new scripted—and select unscripted—series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Mondays:
Run the Burbs, Mondays at 8 p.m. on The CW (Premiered July 31)
About: The CW is continuing to import international shows to supplement its programming options. It’s also pulling up different kind of shows than what the typical brand had been. That includes a lot of sitcoms, like Run the Burbs, cut from a traditional network sitcom cloth. This was originally produced and aired in Canada. It comes from Andrew Phung, an improve comedian who created the series and stars as the patriarch of the family. The storylines in the first two episodes were fine. The performances were fine. The comedy was so-so. It feels like a stiff, traditional sitcom. It just doesn’t feel overly compelling. Even on a night of what is original sitcoms for American audiences, there isn’t a strong pull. It’s fine if you like sitcoms and want something to fill the void.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C

Tuesdays:
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the New York Jets, Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on HBO (Premiered August 8)
About: This is an unscripted series and an anthology, but it’s also one of my favorites of summer. Every year we spend Training Camp with a new team and get an inside look into the process. That being said, this year I’m conflicted. Over the past few seasons, I’ve grown a bit tired of Aaron Rodgers. Still, it’s not a surprise Rodgers and the Jets were chosen as this year’s Hard Knocks team. That being said, the first episode was entertaining and a fun look inside the Training Camp process, as always. If you’re a football fan, or a fan of Rodgers, this is worth checking out this week. I also hope we get more fun with narrator Liev Schreiber.
Pilot Grade: B-

Streaming:
Painkiller, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered August 10)
About: We saw an in-depth look at the ravages of OxyContin and the Sackler Family in the series Dope, which was released on Hulu last year. It was a powerful and often difficult to watch series. Now, we get Painkiller, a six-episode mini-series that touches on much the same subject. Each episode begins with a real family member of a real victim telling their story. The series shows you the impact on some victims, but this one seems more focused on the story of Richard Sackler (Matthew Broderick). It is another series that’s hard to watch but with a different focus, it also felt a little less compelling. This is an important story. But if you’ve seen it already, it’s also a story you’re not eager to revisit. The series is well-produced but be prepared for the difficult emotions of watching it.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: C