We’re making our way through July, which means we’re officially in the slow season. This is the beginning of a new Emmy year, and a few months from the Fall kickoff. But with temperatures sweltering, you might be looking for something to pass the time in the air conditioning. So, which of these new shows is worth your time to check out? Let this weekly post be your guide as I review the pilot and second episode of new series this summer. Don’t see a new show listed below? Check previous weeks.

Mondays:
Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro, Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC (Premiered July 13)
About: This spin-off series, hosted by reigning champion Robert Irwin, is about finding the next Dancing With the Stars pro. It features Mark and Shirly Ballas as judges, with a rotating set of guests from the main show. The first week was Derek Hough, the second Brandon Armstrong. There were 12 dancers vying for a spot, with two eliminated in the premier and one last week. Each week we see the dancers training and living together, preparing routines, then performing for the panel of judges. All with the hopes of making it to the main series. If you’re a fan of the series, this is a great way to pass the summer leading up to the return this Fall!
Pilot Grade: B-
Second Episode: B-

Furious, Streaming Mondays on Hulu (Premiered July 27)
About: This new series comes from Elizabeth Meriwether, but it’s not a comedy like her past work. It’s not even as ripped-from-the-headlines as her previous drama, The Dropout. This one focuses on Emmy Rossum as a new FBI Agent with a difficult past. A former NYPD Detective, she was in an abusive relationship with a fellow officer, and when she reported it, things didn’t go well. One of the few to stick by her was a fellow detective (Scoot McNairy), who has requested her consultation on a new case. Meanwhile, we’re also following the subject of that case—a rare female serial killer. Said serial killer is played by Lola Petticrew, and we see she seems to be enacting revenge for a past assault. This is a cat-and-mouse crime drama, which might not be what you expect from Meriwether. I thought the pilot, which was the first of three episodes released, was a bit rough in spots. But I enjoyed the other two releases. It’s an eight-episode season, with subsequent episodes dropping weekly. I think there might be potential here.
Pilot Grade: C
Second Episode: B-

Thursdays:
Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, Thursdays on HBO Max (Premiered July 23)
About: Even years after its series finale, The Big Bang Theory continues to hold sway in popular culture. It’s also had long legs, with its second spin-off entering its third season on CBS. Now a third spin-off, focused on some peripheral characters from the original series, namely Stuart (Kevin Sussman). He is paired with Bert (Brian Posehn), Denise (Lauren Lapkus) and Barry Kripke (John Ross Bowie) as they try to correct the timeline, ending up in alternate realities that all present their own challenges. It’s an ambitious concept that feels wildly set apart from the original series and both its spin-offs to this point. The premier even featured Kunal Nayyar as Raj, giving another connection to the original series. I wanted to like this—and I loved the original series. But this pilot was a rough watch at times. Only one episode aired at the premier, running around 23 minutes. It’s a short weekly commitment, but a lot will depend on how the story hits for you and if the series finds any kind of humor.
Pilot Grade: C-

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.