Andy DehnartGood Monday morning. There are several new and returning reality shows coming our way this week, starting with the return of Dancing with the Stars (ABC, Mondays at 8).
Its new season tries two new things: an abbreviated run of just four weeks, and a season of contestants who are all athletes. (Here’s the full cast.) Some people criticize the inclusion of athletes, arguing that they have an advantage, so now there are only athletes. Naturally, some people are criticizing the inclusion of particular athletes, even though ultimately this is not a true talent competition, but a popularity contest.
On Friday, Carol Burnet is back on television with A Little Help with Carol Burnett (Netflix, May 4), which has a panel of kids trying to help adults—including celebrity guests—with their problems.
Another big name is coming to unscripted TV. Starting tonight, James Cameron examines science fiction with his own season of AMC’s documentary series AMC Visionaries: James Cameron’s Story of Science Fiction (AMC, Mondays at 10).
The final season of Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s starts tomorrow (OWN, Tuesdays at 10).
The entire season of Very Superstitious With George Lopez will air tonight on A&E in a marathon that starts at 8 p.m. and ends early tomorrow morning. This is either a fascinating new way of letting linear TV viewers binge-watch a show, or a spectacular burn-off. The comedian will look at superstitions held by communities across the country.
Returning this weekend is Naked and Afraid XL (Discovery, Sundays at 10), on which 13 former Naked and Afraid cast members try something even scarier: surviving drama.
Those who subscribe to the streaming service offered by the producers of RuPaul’s Drag Race will be able to watch Drag Race Thailand later this week. It’s on WOW Presents Plus starting May 4.
Also new this week: Dallas Cakes (Food Network, Mondays at 10:30), on which bakers bake things; Nazi Treasure Hunters (History, Tuesdays at 10), on which experts look for art that Nazis stole; Sticker Shock (Discovery, Wednesdays at 10), on which appraisers evaluate cars; and Comedy Knockout (truTV, Wednesdays at 11), which has comedians facing off in challenges.