TV Talk: Broadcast networks plan game show-heavy summer schedules

Trib Total Media TV writer Rob Owen offers viewing tips for the coming summer season.

With the exception of The CW — and to a lesser extent, Fox — it’s looking like a steady diet of unscripted programming on the broadcast channels this summer.

CBS

Although CBS still has season two of “Blood & Treasure” sitting on a shelf, so far the network’s summer plans only include two veteran reality competition shows.

Returning: “Big Brother” (8 p.m. July 7, KDKA-TV), “Love Island” (9:30 p.m. July 7).

The CW

“The Republic of Sarah” (9 p.m. June 14, WPCW-TV): A state-backed mining company tries to have its way with Greylock, N.H., but rebellious high school teacher Sarah Cooper (Stella Baker) tries to convince her fellow citizens to vote to secede as a means to stopping the mining company led by her estranged brother (Luke Mitchell).

“Wellington Paranormal” (9 and 9:30 p.m. July 11): A horror-comedy spin-off of the 2014 film “What We Do in the Shadows” (not the FX series) that follows New Zealand police who investigate paranormal phenomena.

Returning: “In the Dark” (9 p.m. June 23), “The Outpost” (9 p.m. July 15), “Dead Pixels” (9:30 p.m. July 18), “Roswell, New Mexico” (8 p.m. July 26), “Burden of Truth” (8 p.m. July 30), “DC’s Stargirl” (8 p.m. Aug. 10), “Riverdale” (8 p.m. Aug. 11), “Masters of Illusion” (8 and 8:30 p.m. Aug. 13), “Coroner” (8 p.m. Aug. 19), “Supergirl” (9 p.m. Aug. 24).

ABC

“The Celebrity Dating Game” (10 p.m. June 14, WTAE-TV): Singer Michael Bolton and actress Zooey Deschanel (“New Girl”) host this competition where famous folks (Iggy Azalea, Hannah Brown, Taye Diggs) try to find love.

“When Nature Calls” (8 p.m. June 17): AKA “World’s Funniest Animal Home Videos.”

“The Ultimate Surfer” (10 p.m. Aug. 23): Surfing competition.

Returning: “Press Your Luck” (8 p.m. May 26), “The $100,000 Pyramid” (9 p.m. May 26), “Emergency Call” (8 p.m. June 4), “Celebrity Family Feud” (8 p.m. June 6), “The Chase” (9 p.m. June 6), “To Tell the Truth” (10 p.m. June 6), “The Bachelorette” (8 p.m. June 7), “Card Sharks” (10 p.m. June 16), “Holey Moley” (9 p.m. June 17), “The Hustler” (10 p.m. June 17), “Bachelor in Paradise” (8 p.m. Aug. 16).

Fox

“Crime Scene Kitchen” (9 p.m. May 26, WPGH-TV): Joel McHale (“Community”) hosts as bakers must decode what dessert was created and consumed by examining only its crumbs. Then they have to try to recreate the recipe.

“Housebroken” (9 p.m. May 31): Intermittently funny animated comedy about a group of neighborhood pets featuring the voices of Lisa Kudrow, Will Forte, Clea Duvall and Tony Hale.

“Fantasy Island” (9 p.m. Aug. 10, WPGH-TV): Roselyn Sanchez stars as Elena Roarke, a descendant of the original Mr. Roarke (Ricardo Montalban), in this sequel to the 1977-84 series.

Returning: “Duncanville” (8:30 and 9:30 p.m. May 23), “Mental Samurai” (8 p.m. May 25), “Hell’s Kitchen” (8 p.m. May 31), “Lego Masters” (8 p.m. June 1), “Masterchef” (8 p.m. June 2), “Beat Shazam” (8 p.m. June 3).

NBC

“Small Fortune” (10 p.m. May 31, WPXI-TV): Lil Rel Howery hosts this team competition game show set among miniatures, from tiny playing fields to a shrunken sushi belt.

“Capital One College Bowl” (10 p.m. June 22): Quiz show hosted by Peyton Manning.

“Ultimate Slip ‘N Slide” (10:30 p.m. Aug. 8 and 8 p.m. Aug. 9): Comedians Bobby Moynihan and Ron Funches co-host this “Wipeout”-like reality competition.

Returning: “American Ninja Warrior” (8 p.m. May 31), “America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m. June 1), “Making It” (8 p.m. June 24).

PBS

“Masterpiece: Us” (9 p.m. June 20 and 27, WQED-TV): Tom Hollander stars in this story of a family on a European summer vacation.

“Mysteries of Mental Illness” (9 p.m. June 22 and 23): A look at causes and treatments.

“The Latino Experience” (9 p.m. Tuesdays July 6-20): Three-part showcase of nonfiction and fiction shorts about the diversity of the Latino community.

“Masterpiece: Guilt” (9 p.m. Sept. 5 and 12): Two brothers try to cover up a hit-and-run.

“Lucy Worsley’s Royal History’s Myths Secrets” (8 p.m. Sundays, Aug. 29-Sept. 12): A journey across Europe to the sites where royal history happened.

Returning: “A Capitol Fourth” (8 p.m. July 4), “Masterpiece: Unforgotten” (9 p.m. Sundays July 11-Aug. 15), “Professor T” (10 p.m. Sundays July 11-Aug. 15).