Lifetime Airing ‘Steamy’ Miniseries

Call it the ultimate counterprogramming. While NBC airs the Olympics, Lifetime will try to lure those who prefer synchronized smooching to synchronized swimming.

Starting Friday and running through Aug. 4, the cable service’s “Joan Collins Minithon” will feature 26 “steamy” miniseries from the ‘80s and early ‘90s - the golden age of that particular subgenre.

Collins will host and provide commentary before and during each screening. She’ll be wearing new gowns designed specifically for each miniseries by Nolan Miller, who clothed her so memorably during her “dynasty” years.

Our three picks: “Monte Carlo” (1986), starring Collins as a chanteuse/spy (Saturday); “I’ll Take Manhattan” (1987), with Valerie Bertinelli as the Judith Krantz heroine (July 23); and “Diana: Her True Story” (1993), with Serena Scott Thomas as Prince Charles’ ex (Sunday).