The month of May is one of transition in the television world. While many television series are wrapping up for the summer, others are just beginning new seasons. This month will see the return of television favorites and the arrival of newcomers on the television scene.
The summer television season is filled with reality competition shows. The first to premiere is the FOX series “So You Think You Can Dance,” returning for its 10th season May 14 at 7:00 p.m. CST. The dance series holds auditions across the country for dancers in all genres and chooses 10 girls and 10 guys to compete in pairs week after week. The dancers must partner dance in a genre chosen at random every week and try their best to impress viewers at home, who vote for their favorites to stay. After multiple eliminations, the last pair standing will be co-crowned as “America’s Favorite Dancer.”
Also on FOX, the popular reality cooking competition “MasterChef” will return for a fourth season May 22 at 7:00 p.m. CST. Host Gordon Ramsay will once again put amateur chefs to the test in the search for the most passionate and talented among the bunch.
May 23 marks the return of the police drama “Rookie Blue” with the first episode of its fourth season on ABC at 9:00 p.m. CST. The drama follows rookie police officer Andy McNally, played by actress Missy Peregrym, and her comrades at the 15 Division police force in Toronto, Canada. This season, the characters will be introduced to some changes at the force that could possibly stir conflict.
The same night on FOX, a new series entitled “Toxic Office: Does Someone Have to Go?” makes its debut. In the series, businesses are turned on their heads when the employees and bosses trade places. The employees are given the power to make decisions about the way the workplace runs, and can even fire co-workers if they feel it necessary. The six-episode series should be an interesting look at boardroom dynamics.
Premiering an entire new season exclusively on Netflix May 26 is “Arrested Development.” The series, which was cancelled in 2006 by FOX, is returning with 15 new episodes for its fourth season. Many of the show’s stars will reprise their roles, and a few new characters will be added to the mix. The fourth season will be focused on the production of a movie on the Bluth family, the main characters in the series.
The night after, the reality romance hit “The Bachelorette” will come back for a ninth season at 7:00 p.m. CST on ABC. The bachelorette for season nine is bridal stylist Desiree Hartsock. She will be looking for a groom in the hope of planning her own wedding one day.
Lastly, new CBS competition series “The American Baking Competition” will premiere May 29 at 7:00 p.m. CST. The baking competition will challenge 10 amateur bakers to be innovative with their kitchen creations. In the end, only one will be chosen as the winner of $250,000 and given a publishing contract for the creation of their own cookbook. The series will be a sweet end to a month filled with gritty competition.
May is sure to be a compelling month for television. There will be a mix of drama, comedy, passion and triumph. Keep your eyes tuned to catch all of the action.
