The first part of August has been a robust time for new series as networks, streamers, and cable channels try to get in that last gasp of summer. But what of the new series 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. 

Tuesdays: 
Hard Knocks: Training Camp with the Seattle Seahawks, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on HBO (Premiered August 4) 
About: The annual Hard Knocks look at a team’s pre-season preparation begins, this time with the reigning Super Bowl champions. The first episode is about setting the stage for what’s to come, with the Seahawks being a successful team that’s relatively stable. The first episode celebrated the success of last year while getting ready for what’s to come. I enjoyed the peak behind the curtain, and I think this could be a fun installment. For fans of the NFL, this is what you’re looking to see! The series continues weekly throughout the pre-season. 
Pilot Grade: B- 

Wednesdays: 
The Shards, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on FX (Premiered August 5) 
About: This new series is based on the Bret Easton Ellis novel, which is loosely based on his life, or at least a period of his life in his late teens in the 1980s in Southern California. It was a time of self-discovery and of a serial killer who struck a bit close to home. The series features a fun period setting and ongoing narration, likely hewing close to the novel experience. Igby Rigney plays the part of Ellis, doing a nice job in the lead role. Ellis serves as a writer/producer/creator along with Ryan Murphy, who directed the premier episode. The rest of the cast is solid, too, including Wes Bentley, Evan Rachel Wood, Haynes Warner, Homer Gere, and Kaia Gerber. There is a creepy element to the story, but one that works fairly well. I like the look and feel of what they’re doing even if I don’t love the story. It has some over-the-top elements that have become calling cards of Murphy’s series, but I think it also does a nice job of laying out this story from Ellis. Fans of the genre will be pleased as there is potential here. 
Pilot Grade: C+ 
Second Episode: C 

Fridays: 
Fightland, Streaming Fridays on Starz (Premiered July 31) 
About: This new series, produced by 50 Cent, centers on the world of boxing and organized crime in England. We follow a former champion (Howard Charles) who lost it all and ended up in jail. Turns out he was set up to fail, and now that he’s out, he is helping some shady folks in order to exact his revenge. It all sounds like a great set up for a series and potentially a little exciting as an ongoing exploration. Unfortunately, in practice this series doesn’t execute the vision in a compelling way. It feels a bit soap operatic at times, in a bad way, and the characters weren’t engaging or compelling enough. The first two episodes felt too long, too. There was potential here, but this squanders all of it. 
Pilot Grade: C- 
Second Episode: C- 

Anna Pigeon, Fridays at 10 p.m. on USA (Premiered August 7) 
About: This new series, based on the series of novels from Nevada Barr, follows Anna Pigeon (Tracy Spiridakos) as a law enforcement Park Ranger solving crimes in National Parks. The pilot picks up with her investigating the death of a fellow ranger that appears too suspicious. She works closely with an FBI Agent Frederick Stanton (Ronnie Rowe), an old connection with whom she has rapport. This falls into a familiar pattern of brilliant lone ranger detective series with a twist. I like Spiridakos, so I could see this being somewhat fun. It also marks an interesting return to original series for USA, which could lead to more depending on how well it hits with audiences. This feels like something with some broader appeal, but we’ll see how it works as an ongoing series. 
Pilot Grade: C+ 

Streaming Series: 
Sterling Point, Now Streaming on Prime Video (Premiered August 5) 
About: This new series comes from Megan Park, who also directed the first four of the eight episodes, including the first two. It focuses on a pair of siblings—Annie (Ella Rubin) and Connor (Keen Ruffalo)—who learn that their estranged grandfather left them an island property. Annie goes despite the wishes of her father (Jay Duplass), discovering a new sister (Amélie Hoeferle), and plenty of twists in the story of her late mother. This has an interesting vibe, built mostly around Rubin, especially in the early going. The series is eight episodes, all now streaming. I liked the story and the construction of the early episodes, The cast is solid and the mystery of the plot was more engaging than I expected. There is potential for this to be an interesting hit for Prime Video. 
Pilot Grade: C+ 
Second Episode: B- 

Alley Cats, Now Streaming on Netflix (Premiered August 7) 
About: This new, adult animated series comes from Ricky Gervais, who voices one of the primary characters. It focuses on a group of cats and the way they view the world. The voice cast includes Tom Basden, David Earl, and Olivia Morgan, among others. The episodes are short, running around 15-20 minutes each. The series is only six episodes, making for a brisk streaming experience, too. There are some funny observations about life and the world, but this didn’t click for me. If you’re a fan of the genre, or Gervais’ humor, this might still appeal to you. Either way, it’s a short commitment. 
Pilot Grade: C 
Second Episode: 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.