Summer Doesn't Have To Mean Re-Runs


While the broadcast networks limit most of their original summer programming to game shows and "reality" shows, many cable networks are introducing a wide variety of original programming. This week we take a peek at several of the new cable series on tap for summer.

One of the most ambitious cable networks of late is The Sci-Fi Channel and summertime is no exception. Their newest series, THE CHRONICLE, debuted on July 29th. If the pilot is any indication, the series will be a big success.

Chad Willett stars as Tucker Burns, a graduate of the prestigious Columbia School of Journalism. After a career-ending mistake Burns is stripped of his student Pulitzer Prize. Unable to find work at any reputable newspaper, Burns takes a job at "The Chronicle," a popular but seemingly ridiculous supermarket tabloid paper.

Like most supermarket tabloids, this one is full of stories of alien invasions, demon positions, monsters and so on. Burns is in for the shock of his life when he discovers that the stories are all true.

Rounding out the cast are Jon Polito (MILLER'S CROSSING), Curtis Armstrong (MOONLIGHTING), Rena Sofer (MELROSE PLACE) and Reno Wilson (MIGHTY JOE YOUNG). The series successfully combines drama and comedy with elements of science fiction. It airs Saturdays at 9 p.m. For more information check out their website at http://www.scifi.com.

LEAP YEARS from SHOWTIME follows the story of five friends over a fifteen-year period. The twist here is that it tells their stories of past, present and future friendship all at the same time.

The series jumps back and forth between time periods and tells the stories of their friendships, loves and heartaches are told in three phases of their lives - 1993, 2001 and 2008.

Bruno Campos stars as Joe; Nina Garbiras plays Beth; David Julian Hirsh plays Josh, Michelle Hurd stars as Athena and Garret Dillahunt stars as Gregory.

SHOWTIME ordered 20 episodes of this unique concept series. The episodes air at various times on the SHOWTIME schedule but each debuts Sunday evenings at 10:45 p.m. PT/EST. For more information check out their website at http://www.sho.com.

The USA Network offers up CANNON BALL RUN, a series based on a real-life cross-country road trip that spawned several successful movies. Over a five night period six teams of three contestants each literally race across America from New York to California. Capitalizing on the reality craze currently infecting television, one team will be made up of a cast member from both SURVIVOR series and one from TEMPTATION ISLAND.

The copyright of the article Summer Doesn't Have To Mean Re-Runs in American Television is owned by F. Colin Kingston. Permission to republish Summer Doesn't Have To Mean Re-Runs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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