‘Bee’ tests one’s tolerance
This summer has turned into a nightmare for networks and viewers. Networks have long considered summer a remarkably difficult time to launch a new drama or comedy. Look at the anemic ratings for “Hidden Palms” or the quickly canceled “Creature Comforts.”
This summer we’re faced with an onslaught of silly reality fare and “talent” contests that have driven viewers to cable and to distraction.
Network ratings have never been lower.
Don’t get me wrong: I have a soft spot for the “Gong Show” aspects of “America’s Got Talent” and “The Next Best Thing.” But how many reheated dishes of “Star Search” can we stomach?
Add “The Singing Bee” (9:30 p.m., NBC) to the list. On “Bee,” contestants engage in a karaoke competition in which they are asked to sing some of the most popular songs of all time.
If they miss a lyric or misremember the correct words, they are exiled from the “Bee” hive.
Did it ever occur to the geniuses at NBC that most karaoke machines are located in bars?
You have to be slightly inebriated to appreciate so much bad singing in one sitting.
The quirky “Eureka” (9 p.m. Sci Fi) returns for a second season. Set in a top-secret government-controlled town populated by geniuses, “Eureka” is superior to roughly 90 percent of network series. Look for guest-star Olivia d’Abo as Carter’s ex-wife.
The new series “Build It Bigger” (10 p.m., Discovery) looks at some of the most massive engineering projects on Earth. Host Danny Foster travels from Dubai to Minnesota to speak with construction-site engineers, architects and construction crews.
The new eight-part series “Into Alaska with Jeff Corwin” (9 p.m., Travel) takes viewers into some of the more remote areas of the vast 49th state.
Other highlights
San Francisco hosts the Major League Baseball All-Star Game (5 p.m., Fox).
“Nova scienceNOW” (7 p.m., KSPS) looks at sleep and memory.
Mike becomes a snake wrangler on “Dirty Jobs” (9 p.m., Discovery).
Tim Daly and Kathy Baker guest-star on “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (10 p.m., NBC).
Scheduled on “Primetime” (10 p.m., ABC): family secrets.
“The Secret Lives of Women” (10 p.m., WE) explores the phenomenon of compulsive shoplifting.