“Swingtown”
Thursday 10pm, CBS
Why CBS, you little minx. I didn’t know you had it in you! This new period drama is set in 1976, and follows a cute young couple moving into the suburbs of Chicago and the burgeoning swinger scene. The newbies are torn between a set of straight-laced friends and their tempting, sexually liberated neighbors. If the risqué premise sounds like it should be on HBO, that’s because the producers are responsible for the cable net’s superb “Rome” and “Big Love.” It’ll be interesting to see just how far they can push things on the onetime Tiffany Network. It’ll also be interesting to see if the bluehairs that make up a sizable chunk of CBS’ audience will ever allow it to air. The cast is largely made up of no-names, except for “Melrose Place” alum Grant Show as the hunky, pornstached, wife-swapping neighbor. Take note, ladies: Jake Hanson’s still got it.
“Fear Itself”
Thursday 10pm, NBC
Now that scary movies are once again arguably DOA at the box office, NBC is bringing back the horror anthology with this new series. The talent involved is promising: directors John Landis (An American Werewolf in London) and Darren Bousman (Saw II-IV); writers Dan Knauf (“Carnivale,” “Supernatural”) and Steve Niles (30 Days of Night); and actors Brandon Routh (Superman Returns) and…well, Eric Roberts is there. And a bunch of people from shows on sister networks Sci-Fi and USA, including that adorable guy from “Psych” and the hunk from “Eureka.” Look for stories involving snow-bound sirens, body-switching serial killers, high school séances gone wrong, and a good old-fashioned zombie apocalypse.
“Nashville Star”
Monday 9pm, NBC
After toiling away for years on cable net USA, this talent competition has been called up to the broadcast big leagues for NBC’s “All-American Summer” (mmm, pander-rific!). Since its inception, “Star” has been derided as an “American Idol” rip-off, and that’s pretty much true—it follows almost the exact same format, just limited in scope to country music. However, there are some differences. First, there’s no age limit, so ostensibly a jug-toting granny could make it to the finals. Second, this year the competition has opened up to duos and trios. And finally, not a single winner has had much post-show success, with album sales that make Taylor Hicks look like a superstar by comparison. Maybe that will change with the increased exposure this year. Mullet pioneer and Miley’s dad Billy Ray Cyrus hosts, and previous MC Jewel heads to the judging panel along with Jeffrey Steele and John Rich.
