Summer TV Preview 2015

Delectably cruel fictional drama is a near-perfect send-up of life behind the scenes of a “Bachelor”-type reality show. Premiered June 1.

This mediocre drama starts off with the usual spooky children of the leafy D.C. suburbs talking to “imaginary” friends with malevolent plans. Lily Rabe (“American Horror Story”) plays the federal agent who realizes that an unseen power is trying to get through our national security system through these kids. It never gets above a ho-hum level. Premiered June 1.

Reality show hangs out with perfectly awful Long Island women who’ve known one another since fuh-evuh. Premiered June 2.

Drama series. A young woman is recruited into a secret government program that “stitches” her into the minds of the recently deceased as a way to solve crime. Premiered June 2.

Tedious but stylish sci-fi series from the Wachowskis (“The Matrix”) about eight strangers who discover that their minds are linked. Premiered June 5.

Hipped by her big brother to the many bummers of high school, a 12-year-old girl decides to make the most of life with her BFFs before they have to face freshman year. Premiered June 6.

Docuseries travels to many continents to look at ancient mummies and mummification rituals. Hosted by non-yet-mummified actor Jason Priestley. Premiered June 7.

Scripted comedy series from writer/star Jill Kargman about wealthy mommies on the Upper East Side. Abby Elliott and Joanna Cassidy co-star. Premiered June 8.

Drama series about a teenager named Ben whose father is becoming a woman. Premiered June 8.

Drama series based on the Dark Horse comic book about six people who wake up and have no idea how they all wound up on the same spaceship. Premiered June 12.

Fashion disasters from opposite sides of the wardrobe spectrum have to switch closets and wear the other person’s clothes and shoes. Premiered June 12.

Based on the best-selling novel by Susanna Clarke, seven-part miniseries stars Eddie Marsan and Bertie Carvel as 18th-century magicians who join England’s war against Napoleon. Premiered June 13.

For viewers who never tire of the mafia, Ray Liotta narrates this eight-part documentary series about the history of organized crime in New York in the early 20th century — material you should be somewhat familiar with if you watched “Boardwalk Empire.” Premiered June 15.

Actress Linda Hamilton (of the early “Terminator” movies) hosts docuseries that tells true stories of women who fought off attackers. Premiered June 15.

Drama series about a tech guru with cancer (Matthew Modine) who persuades a grieving surgeon (Jennifer Beals) to investigate cases of near-death and afterlife experiences. Premiered June 16.

Sitcom from “Will & Grace” creators about a hipster barbershop in Massachusetts staffed by people who all went to high school together. Premiered June 16.

This German-subtitled drama makes a nice companion piece to FX’s “The Americans,” as a 24-year-old East German man (Jonas Nay) is chosen to spy for the Stasi as a West German soldier during the 1980s. Premiered June 17.

Drama/thriller series from “Burn Notice” creator Matt Nix stars Jason O’Mara (“Terra Nova”) as a suburban doctor who saves the victim of a drive-by shooting that turns out to be a much more significant incident than it first seemed. Premiered June 18.

Drama series based on Lily Koppel’s book about the women behind NASA’s pioneering astronauts. Sort of a fizzier twist on “The Right Stuff.” Premiered June 18.

Ten survivalists (all guys) are dropped off in the Vancouver Island wilderness, separated from one another and left on their own, without even a camera crew or producers. Premiered June 18.

Ten-episode series about bounty hunters in space, but not in the Boba Fett mold. Premiered June 19.

Perhaps the only thing left for idle celebs to do — game shows. This one features the families of Dr. Phil, Mario Lopez, “Glee’s” Kevin McHale and more.

Six-episode revival of the robot-combat competition series from the early 2000s.

Follow Bruce Kirby and Christine Pitkanen and their young sons (ages 7 and 3) as they go on an extremely challenging family trip to a Himalayan monastery, covering 13,000 miles and taking no airplanes to get there. (Probably no iPads, either.)

Two-hour special traces what probably happened to Anne Frank (and so many others) in a Nazi concentration camp after her famous diary comes to an abrupt end on Aug. 4, 1944.

Documentary artfully assembled from social network postings and police files tells the stories of some of the 8,000 or so Americans who died from gunfire in the spring of last year, including accidents, domestic violence, suicides, murders and other incidents.

Follows the roles that sexual identity and gender played in the case of a group of African American lesbians who were charged with the attempted murder of a man who threatened them on a New York street.

Master bladesmiths compete against one another to craft the perfect weapon, using raw steel.

Three-episode companion series to “Extreme Weight Loss.”

Creators Natasha Leggero and Riki Lindhome’s clever mash-up of a Kardashian-style reality show and a “Downton Abbey”-esque drama, about the travails of the Bellacourt family (and their servants) in uppercrust Newport, R.I., at the turn of the 20th century.

Five-part docuseries depicts human evolution on each continent, focusing in on the daily struggles and triumphs of our long-ago ancestors.

Based on a popular Israeli game show, contestants have to answer trivia questions to help them defuse a “bomb” before it goes off.

Liz Garbus’s documentary about the singer and activist Nina Simone.

A sequel to the goofy/retro beach-themed musical.

Performance taped in April at the White House saluting gospel’s profound influence on American music.

Documentary follows the former NBA star, who has an unlikely friendship with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, as he tries to stage a friendly basketball game in the country to promote peace between to the two nations.

TV premiere of the acclaimed documentary about the country singer’s struggle with Alzheimer’s. In her review last November, Post film critic Ann Hornaday said it “may make for a tough movie, but it’s an important and triumphant one, as well.”

Intimate documentary portrait of the gay rights and AIDS activist, a playwright and author who found his loudest voice as a political firebrand.

Documentary about a church pastor in a booming North Dakota town who decides to open his church to house oil workers with few options and some sketchy backgrounds.

Drama/horror series updates the giddy, tongue-in-cheek murder spree of the 1996 movie and its many sequels, adding modern touches (viral videos instead of creepy landline calls) and a new take on the Ghostface mask worn by the killer.

Documentary film explores the origins of the Middle East conflict in pre-World War I Ottoman Palestine.

Award-winning journalist and producer Nick Watt takes a “full immersion” approach on his worldwide trek to uncover strange, wild and wondrous destinations.

Docuseries introduces the relatives of serial killers to members of the victims’ families. (Trigger alert? Or just an uncomfortable shudder?)

Another show about in­cred­ibly good food (or food that at least looks good) discovered (or re-discovered) in faraway places.

Learn some of the secrets to building and maintaining some of the world’s most thrilling theme-park rides. Perhaps download this show to help pass the hours spent waiting in epically long lines at theme parks.

The 35th anniversary of the holiday broadcast from the Mall.

For people who are absolutely certain that everything is better in New York, a live fireworks display from two spots on the East River.

Documentary film follows parents who are seeking a second chance to parent their children, who’ve been entrusted to the care of the foster system.

Live coverage of the annual event in Pamplona, Spain, hosted by the “Men in Blazers” comedy duo Michael Davies and Roger Bennett.

Four couples who’ve hit a wall in their relationships get a chance to spend two weeks in an “experimental” marriage with a different mate, to see if a different perspective addresses some of their issues.

Reality series about the cycle workout culture in L.A., as everyone pedals furiously toward hell.

More real-estate sadomasochism, in what is arguably the nation’s most competitive market.

Topical comedy series (it’s taped within a week of airdate, to keep it newsy) features comedian Buress’s stand-up, taped segments (that may well be the next “smart comedian take” videos filling up your Twitter feed) and interviews. Premieres after the season return of “Key and Peele.”

Prolonging a very windy joke that started with “The Spoils of Babylon,” this miniseries adapts the first epic novel of faux-best-selling author Eric Jonrosh (Will Ferrell).

A British dramedy series in which each episode tells the story of a first date between two people who met online. Cast changes from week to week.

Ten-episode docuseries talks to teens who each made a single terrible decision that wound up affecting their lives and the lives of others.

Stand-up comedy special from someone we haven’t seen onstage in a while.

Talk show derived from gossip-mag hottie and “sex enthusiast” Brody Jenner’s podcast about all things relationships, hookups, etc. It’s only four episodes. (Seems a little quick, Brody.)

Mockumentary looks back at a legendary, record-breaking tennis match between two rivals, played by “Game of Thrones’” Kit Harington and “Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s” Andy Samberg.

Reality series follows “Basketball Wives” star Evelyn Lozada as her life takes some new directions.

Documentary film from the “Super Size Me” producer explores the idea of independence and whether we’re all still truly liberated in today’s America.

Don’t let the convoluted title confuse you — it’s a Comic-Con thing.

Love your hair, hope you win!

Short, animated documentary follows theater director/composer Elizabeth Swados’s decades-long struggle with depression.

Documentary about how China treats teenagers diagnosed with Internet addiction, which the government has declared a national health crisis.

Revisits New York’s big power outage in the summer 1977 , which caused mayhem but also inspired acts of surprising generosity.

Dramedy stars Michael Rosenbaum as a man running from gambling debt who takes an opportunity to assume the identity of a gay pastor at a church in a small town.

Docuseries about a 14-year-old transgender girl who’s getting ready to start high school.

Lighter than “Louie” (but sort of like it), this comedy is based on the career and home life of Jim Gaffigan, a married comedian with many children.

Awards show for the best in sports programming, otherwise known as the night that sports-obsessed viewers are more likely to recognize the stars on the red carpet. All eyes this year on Caitlyn Jenner, who is scheduled to receive the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.

Reality/competition. Sets of twins test their intuition theory to compete against one another for a cash prize of $222,222.22.

This special will feature what we all hope are some really nifty close-up shots from the New Horizon probe of the faraway planet-that’s-not-a-planet. (All eyes on Caitlyn Jenner, still.)

Game show based on pop-culture trivia contests in pubs.

Comedy/talk show hosted by David Huntsberger with a focus on pop culture and science-fiction.

Limited original series (three nights; six hours) about the young Egyptian king Tutankhamun (Avan Jogia) and the palace politics occurring around him. Ben Kingsley co-stars as Tut’s closest adviser.

Documentary traces the story of Provincetown, Mass., painter Edith Lake Wilkinson, who was committed to an asylum by her family in the early 20th century. A great-niece discovers Wilkinson’s belongings in an attic and wants to know more.

Documentary about a 19-year-old man trying to survive in the besieged Syrian city of Homs.

A survey, from an orbiting perspective, of the many ways humans have left their mark on the planet and transformed it.

Reality show hosted by Ryan Seacrest, who sends teams, which include some celebs and pro athletes, out across the country to knock on people’s doors and give them the opportunity to win cash in a series of inventive games and quizzes, “taking an ordinary day and making it unforgettable.”

Docuseries about the high-stakes world of being an NFL agent.

The destructive annual weather event strikes Washington this time.

Competition series from the producers of “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition” features nine couples who have to renovate run-down homes.

Three-week series explores the wonders and complexity of the Great Barrier Reef.

Same as the last great burger, don’t you think?

Movie about a group of vacationing strangers who share a common bond while visiting an island teeming with African American history and culture. Stars Lorraine Toussaint, Thomas Q. Jones and Aisha Hinds.

Phase 2 (or maybe Phase 3?) of the massive publicity campaign related to the transition of Caitlyn Jenner, formerly known as Bruce.

Reality series nests in the branches of a complicated family tree that involves Alana Stewart, Rod Stewart and George Hamilton.

Documentary about the monthly tea parties of five well-heeled women in Chile who’ve witnessed quite a bit over the years.

On the 70th anniversary of the dawn of the nuclear age, this documentary explores the most powerful and destructive weapon in human history. Includes new, declassified footage of test detonations and their aftermath.

Hosted by Derek Muller, this documentary examines the secrets of one of the Earth’s most controversial elements.

Special report on the brave workers who stayed behind as an earthquake and tsunami damaged the Fukushima power plant in Japan and caused one of the world’s worst nuclear incidents.

Spinoff of reality series in which two Texas prosecutors go to small towns and help local law enforcement solve long-dormant cases. (Premieres after the season return of the original “Cold Justice” at 8.)

Eight-episode comedy series based on the 2001 cult hit film features original cast members (Amy Poehler, Bradley Cooper, Paul Rudd, Janeane Garofolo, Ken Marino, Michael Ian Black) and adds some new cast, including Kristen Wiig, Chris Pine, Jason Schwartzman and how about a side of Jon Hamm?

A new panel show that interviews actors and producers of the critically acclaimed TV shows and movies.

This sounds like a good way to agitate people who would prefer not to tell the world the location of their favorite swimming holes.

Sitcom about a Portland restaurateur (Josh Zuckerman) who discovers that his roommate is dating his mother (Krista Allen).

Documentary about “life without possibility of parole” and some California inmates who are serving such sentences. In exchange for their commitment to contrition, an experimental program helps them find small freedoms within their confines of their permanent incarcerations.

Documentary about how music binds a community in the war-torn Sudan region.

Documentary provides a fresh take on the two presidents, vis a vis the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act.

Original comedy, executive produced by Amy Poehler, stars Billy Eichner and Julie Klausner as best friends living together in New York.

Comedy stars Craig Robinson (“The Office”) as an underemployed musician who takes a job as a high school music teacher.

Six-episode sitcom stars Jerrod Carmichael as a man who introduces his girlfriend (Amber West) to his zany parents (David Alan Grier and Loretta Devine).

Reality show dangles cash prizes to people who are willing to play cruel pranks on friends, families and co-workers.

Reality series from the producers of “Undercover Boss” follows a young adult who is trying to land his or her first job.

( at ). The day his devoted fans have dreaded is here — Stewart’s final show.

Michael Kosta hosts this new comedy/pop-culture show (executive produced by “The Soup’s” Joel McHale), which rounds up the most outrageous social media comments on the week’s trending celebrity/entertainment news.

Documentary about the late comedian and SNL alum.

Docuseries about a real-estate firm that specializes in helping recent college grads find their first apartments in the big city.

Comedy about a young man who pours his heart into a mash note to a female colleague as he’s leaving for a new job overseas. When that job falls through and he returns to his old job, what will happen with his unrequited love?

Six-episode miniseries from creator David Simon and director Paul Haggis, about a young mayor (Oscar Isaac) of Yonkers, N.Y., struggling to meet a federal court order mandating low-income housing in white neighborhoods.

Expert chef Ronnie Woo guides couples who want to take things to the next level in the kitchen.

Reality series about a Penn State junior who says she communes with the dead.

Documentary about a Swiss immersion class for recent immigrants.

Docuseries follows a group of millennials as they take a seven-week course from billionaire venture capitalist Tim Draper’s school in Silicon Valley. Where they no doubt learn how to become perfectly lovely and generous people.

Reality series about the “Women and Girlfriends of Sports,” who do whatever it takes to support their professional athletes.

Fred Armisen and Bill Hader (with production help from Seth Meyers) star in this six-episode spoof of documentary films, including a send-up of “Grey Gardens.”

Two-night documentary takes viewers behind the scenes of the London institution.

Recommended only for late-’80s/early-’90s nostalgia masochists, this movie is about what it was (maybe) like behind the scenes of the beloved sitcom. Supply your own “Have mercy!” joke.

From Seth McFarlane (“Ted”), a half-hour comedy about exuberantly inept British newsman Walter Blunt (Patrick Stewart), who is hired by an American cable news channel for a new show (Piers Morgan, anyone?) and runs into immediate problems. Jacki Weaver (“Silver Linings Playbook”) co-stars.

Stand-up special taped in Boston in May. Yes, it’s true, she did just have a special on Showtime. Why, yes indeed, she does have a special on Netflix, too. Somebody really likes her.

This crime drama goes back in time to the 1960s to offer viewers a peek at what working in a dramatized NYPD Vice Division would have been like. Stars Edward Burns, Michael Rapaport and Elizabeth Masucci.

Always the potential for fresh horrors.

Reality series about Todrick Hall and his collaborators, who write, choreograph and produce full-scale productions, with or without Hollywood’s help.

Live TV and multimedia event from Monterey Bay, Calif., examines and celebrates the return of blue whales.

Documentary follows a shy 26-year-old from Baltimore who left on a worldwide trip and wound up joining the Libyan revolution.

Biography of Althea Gibson, who rose from poverty to prominence in the highly segregated world of pro tennis in the 1950s.

From New York, Colbert’s debut in David Letterman’s vacated slot, with new bandleader Jonathan Batiste.

Therrrre she is. . . . From Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall, the 95th anniversary of the annual scholarship competition.