The Seasonal Menu : NETWORKS, CABLE SERVE UP 30-PLUS NEW SERIES TO WHET THE HARDY VIEWER’S APPETITE

No one can complain that there’s nothing on television this summer. The era of summer repeats seems a thing of the past. Over the next two months, viewers can choose from no fewer than 30 new daytime and nighttime series, numerous made-for-TV movies, musical and variety specials and documentaries.

Several popular summer series are returning, including HBO’s “Dream On” and “The Larry Sanders Show” and PBS’ “Alive TV” and “Evening at Pops.”

Among the new series is Connie Chung’s CBS news magazine “Eye to Eye With Connie Chung,” Fox’s action-spoof “Danger Theater,” hosted by none other than Robert Vaughn of “The Man From U.N.C.L.E.” and Showtime’s “Fallen Angels,” a six-part anthology series based on short stories by Raymond Chandler and Cornell Woolrich and featuring Meg Tilly, Gary Oldman, Joe Mantegna, Alan Rickman, Laura Dern, James Woods and Gary Busey.

For the fifth straight year, the Discovery Channel devotes an entire week of programming to the mysterious underwater world of the shark. Made-for-TV movies include Showtime’s entirely improvised “Chantilly Lace,” Michael Caine and Sean Young in HBO’s “Blue Ice” and recent Oscar-nominee Mary McDonnell in TNT’s adaptation of Arthur Miller’s “American Clock.”

Here is an overview of what’s new on the tube for the summer. Sit back and enjoy.

New Series

Black Tie Affair (NBC): Kate Chapshaw stars in a comedy from Jay Tarses (“The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd”). Saturdays at 10 p.m.

Center Stage (PBS): Live-to-tape performance series co-produced with VH-1. Mondays at 8 p.m. on KVCR and KPBS and 9 p.m. KCET.

Cutters (CBS): Originally announced for last summer, this sitcom focuses on a failing barbershop that merges with a successful beauty salon. Robert Hays stars. Fridays at 8:30 p.m.

Danger Theatre (Fox): Robert Vaughn hosts a spoof of “Hawaii 5-0,” “Knight Rider” and “Miami Vice.” Adam (“Batman”) West stars. July 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Eden (USA): A co-production with Playboy Entertainment Group, this erotic adult series takes place on an exclusive tropical island resort called Eden. Special two-hour premiere Sunday at 8 p.m.; airs Mondays-Thursdays at 11 p.m. for six consecutive weeks.

Eye to Eye With Connie Chung (CBS): The new addition to “CBS Evening News” hosts a prime-time news hour. Thursdays at 9 p.m.

The Face of Tutankhamun (A&E;): Four-part examination of the discovery of the boy-King Tutankhamun’s tomb in November, 1922. Aug. 29-Sept. 1.

Fallen Angels (Showtime): Six-part anthology series based on short stories from Raymond Chandler to Cornell Woolrich. Each episode is developed around a female-in-jeopardy character. Meg Tilly, Gary Oldman, Joe Mantegna, Alan Rickman, Laura Dern, James Woods and Gary Busey star. Aug. 1.

Family Dog (CBS): Steven Spielberg and Tim Burton’s long-delayed animated series explores the life of a family’s pet dog from the pooch’s perspective. Wednesdays at 8 p.m.

Great Escapes: Trade Winds (NBC): Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Anita Morris and John Beck star in a prime-time soap set in exotic St. Martin. The series kicks off with a two-hour movie, Aug. 27 at 9 p.m. and follows with four one-hour episodes, beginning Sept. 3 at 10 p.m.

Johnny Bago (CBS): Peter Dobson and Rose Abdoo star in an action-comedy from Robert (“Back to the Future”) Zemeckis about a street hustler on parole who is framed for the murder of a mob boss and flees in a hand-me-down RV. Fridays at 10 p.m.

Ned Blessing: My Life and Times (CBS): Brad Johnson and Wes Studi (“The Last of the Mohicans”) star in a Western drama. August.

On E! (E!): Devoted to “the most exciting and intriguing people, places and projects” in entertainment. Saturday at 5 a.m.

Opening Shots (Bravo): The network’s first original children’s series looks at the arts from a kid’s perspective. Aug. 5 at 5 p.m.

Played in the USA (PBS): An historical anthology featuring 34 documentaries celebrating American music. Martin Sheen hosts. Saturdays at 11 p.m. on KVCR; Friday at 11 p.m. on KCET.

Rumor Has It (VH-1): Comedian Brian O’Connor hosts a game show where contestants can win prizes based on their knowledge of celebrity hearsay, fact and innuendo. Mondays-Thursdays at 4 and 8 p.m.

Rough Guide (PBS): Hip travel series that journeys around the world to showcase unusual vacation spots. Mondays at 9 p.m. on KPBS and KVCR and 10 p.m. on KCET.

Route 66 (NBC): Updated version of the classic ‘60s series stars Dan Cortese and James Wilder. Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

Showtime Comedy Spotlight (KCAL): Syndicated debut of Showtime comedy specials, featuring such performers as Tim Allen, Paul Reiser and Tommy Davidson. Saturdays at 9 p.m.

South Beach (NBC) Yancy Butler and John Glover star in an action-thriller set in Miami. Tuesdays at 9 p.m.

Street Match (ABC): Ricky Paull Goldin hosts a reality series that follows two couples on their first date each week. TBA.

Original Movies

Acting on Impulse (Showtime): Linda Fiorentino, C. Thomas Howell and Nancy Allen star in a thriller about a former movie scream queen who allegedly has murdered the producer who made her famous. July 10 at 9 p.m.

Arthur Miller’s American Clock (TNT): TNT Screenworks presents Miller’s autobiographical play about a family’s fight to survive the Depression. Mary McDonnell and David Strathairn star. Aug. 23 at 5 p.m.

Based on an Untrue Story (Fox): Morgan Fairchild stars in a parody of TV’s true-life movies of the week. Aug. 9 at 8 p.m.

Blue Ice (HBO): Michael Caine and Sean Young star in a romantic adventure about a former intelligence man who returns to action to rescue a damsel in distress. July 31 at 8 p.m.

Body Bags (Showtime): Tom Arnold, Tobe Hooper, Robert Carradine and Mark Hamill star in three tales of suspense and horror from director John Carpenter. Aug. 8.

Born to Run (Fox): Richard Grieco stars in an action-thriller about a big-city street racer who struggles against local corruption when his brother becomes involved with the local mob. Aug. 2 at 8 p.m.

Caught in the Act (USA): Gregory Harrison and Leslie Hope star in a mystery about a struggling actor who finds $10 million erroneously deposited into his checking account. July 21 at 9 p.m.

Chantilly Lace (Showtime): JoBeth Williams, Martha Plimpton, Ally Sheedy, Jill Eikenberry, Lindsay Crouse, Helen Slater and Talia Shire star in an improvised drama about a reunion of seven women friends. July 18 at 8 p.m.

Curacao (Showtime): George C. Scott and William Petersen star in a drama about two men who must face the demons of their past. Sunday at 9 p.m.

Heidi (Disney Channel): Jason Robards, Jane Seymour, Noely Thornton and Patricia Neal star in a two-part adaptation of Johanna Spyri’s classic children’s novel. July 18-19 at 7 p.m.

Last Light (Showtime): Kiefer Sutherland stars in and directed a drama about a prison guard (Forest Whitaker) who develops a friendship with a man on Death Row. Aug. 22.

The Last POW?: The Bobby Garwood Story (ABC): Martin Sheen and Ralph Macchio star in a fact-based drama. Monday at 9 p.m.

Laurel Avenue (HBO): Three-hour drama, presented in two parts, deals with the challenges facing a black working-class family in St. Paul, Minn. Mary Alice, Mel Winkler and Juanita Jennings star. Directed by Carl Franklin (“One False Move”) and executive produced by Charles S. Dutton (“Roc”). July 10-11 at 10 p.m.

Lifepod (Fox): Ron Silver stars in and directed this sci-fi version of Alfred Hitchcock’s classic “Lifeboat.” Robert Loggia, Adam Storke and C.C.H Pounder. Monday at 8 p.m.

Look at It This Way (A&E;): David Dukes and Nathaniel Parker star in a satire of London in the get-rich quick ‘80s. July 6 at 10 p.m.

Marilyn and Bobby: Her Final Affair (USA) Melody Anderson, James Kelly and Richard Dysart star in a blend of “fiction and speculative reports” about Marilyn Monroe and Bobby Kennedy. Aug. 4 at 9 p.m.

Model by Day (Fox): Model-turned actress Famke Janssen stars in a thriller about a glamorous fashion model who returns to the U.S. when her best friend is randomly attacked. July 26 at 8 p.m.

Night Owl (Lifetime): Jennifer Beals and James Wilder star in a thriller about a wrathful spirit of centuries past who stalks lonely men over the radio airwaves. Aug. 19 at 9 p.m.

Praying Mantis (USA) Jane Seymour and Barry Bostwick star in a thriller about a femme fatale who murders her husbands on their wedding night. Aug. 18 at 9 p.m.

Proudheart (TNN): Country singer Lorrie Morgan stars in a drama about a blue-collar woman who returns with her daughter to her hometown. Aug. 16 at 7 p.m.

Sexual Healing (Showtime): Helen Hunt, Anthony Edwards, Jason Alexander and Mare Winningham star in a 40-minute drama about two lovesick people who find love via a phone sex line. July 18 at 10 p.m.

The Sound and the Silence (TNT): Four-hour drama about the life of Alexander Graham Bell. John Bach, Ian Bannen and Brenda Fricker star. July 18-19 at 5 p.m.

Spenser: Ceremony (Lifetime): Robert Urich reprises his role as Boston private investigator Spenser, whom he played from 1985 to 1988 on the ABC series “Spenser: For Hire,” in a new detective thriller. Based on Robert B. Parker’s best-selling book, “Ceremony.” Barbara Williams and Avery Brooks also star. July 22 at 9 p.m.

Strapped (HBO) Forest Whitaker directed this urban youth drama. Aug. 21

12:01 (Fox): Jonathan Silverman, Helen Slater and Martin Landau star in a romantic suspense thriller. July 5 at 8 p.m.

Music and Variety

A Capitol Fourth (PBS) Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, Mary-Chapin Carpenter, Rita Moreno and Peter Nero headline this Independence Day celebration broadcast live from the lawn of the U.S. Capitol. July 4 at 5 p.m on KVCR; 7 p.m. on KPBS; and 8 p.m on KCET.

American Music Shop (TNN): The country-music series features the network’s first children’s program, a concert hosted by Charlie Daniels. July 20 at 7 p.m.

Andy Rooney’s Bird’s Eye View of America (Disney): The “60 Minutes” humorist travels across the country in a helicopter offering his unusual perspective of the United States from the air. July 27 at 9 p.m.

Celebrate Soul of American Music (KCAL): Holiday musical special. July 4 at 9 p.m.

Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra (Disney): Seventy-five young musicians from around the country perform in a concert of classical music, along with special guest Henry Mancini. Aug. 26 at 7:30 p.m.

Fleetwood Mac: Going Home” (Disney): Retrospective of President Clinton’s favorite group. Aug. 29 at 9 p.m.

Glenn Frey: Strange Weather (Disney Channel): The former Eagle headlines a special shot at the National Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. July 11 at 9 p.m.

Shirley Horn: Here’s to Life (PBS): Documentary on the award-winning jazz singer. July 23 at 9 p.m. on KPBS.

George Jones & Friends Hall of Fame Salute (TNN) The “Cool One” returns to his home state of Texas to perform at Palmer Auditorium in Austin. July 5 at 7 p.m.

In a New Light II (ABC) Second ABC prime-time entertainment and information special focusing on AIDS. Sept. 4 at 8 p.m.

Live From Lincoln Center: Mostly Mozart and Mendelssohn Too (PBS) Soprano June Anderson, pianist Andre Watts and violinist Joshua Bell perform in concert under the direction of Gerard Schwarz. July 7 at 7 p.m. on KVCR and KPBS and 8 p.m. on KCET.

Kurt Masur Conducts Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 (Bravo): Masur conducts the Gewandaus Chorus and Orchestra. July 10 at 4 and 11 p.m.

Willie Nelson Salutes Texas (TNN): The legendary country-Western singer performs solo in an acoustic concert on the steps of the Austin Capitol. Monday at 7 and 11 p.m.

Philharmonic Special (KCET): Huell Howser travels with the Los Angeles Philharmonic to Lucerne, Switzerland, for a behind-the-scenes look at the orchestra’s April European tour. July 8 at 8 p.m.

Pop Goes the Fourth (A&E;): Jack Perkins hosts a live Fourth of July celebration featuring the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra conducted by John Williams. July 4 at 4:30 p.m.

Queen of Spades (Bravo): The Kirov Opera performs the Tchaikovsky opera direct from the Maryinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg. Aug. 18 at 5:30 and 10:30 p.m.

Showtime Comedy All-Stars VII (Showtime): Tim Allen takes a break from “Home Improvement” to host the seventh installment of Showtime’s comedy specials. July 11 at 10 p.m.

Sounds of Summer (Bravo): A monthlong summer musical festival features “A Romantic Evening With Ray Charles,” Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. and midnight.

Still Life at the Penguin Cafe (Bravo): The Royal Ballet performs a whimsical ballet based on saving wildlife. July 17 at 4 and 11 p.m.

Documentaries

Antartica: Planet of Ice (Discovery): Three-part exploration of the harshest continent. Aug. 1 at 8 p.m.

Barcelona ‘92: 16 Days of Glory (Disney): Filmmaker Bud Greenspan’s look at the 1992 Summer Olympics. Aug. 26 at 9 p.m.

Birdbrain of Britain (Discovery): An examination of amateur animal scientists who started a series of unofficial tests to find Britain’s brightest bird. Sunday at 10 p.m.

The Big Wet (Discovery): A look at what happens to the wildlife of the Australian North when the monsoons come. Late summer.

The Broadcast Tapes of Dr. Peter (HBO): Video diary chronicles two years in the life of a Vancouver physician who has AIDS. Thursday at 8 p.m.

Caught in the Act (NBC): Dean Stockwell hosts a look at the world of video surveillance and how it helps expose crime. July 7 at 9 p.m.

Dolphins: Home to the Sea (Discovery): A team of marine biologists, scientists, veterinarians and trainers work to set free three dolphins in captivity at Sea World. July 12 at 9 p.m.

Jean Harlow Retrospective (TNT): Sharon Stone hosts a profile of the original blonde bombshell who died at age 26 in 1937. Aug. 15 at 5 p.m.

Hollywood on Hollywood (AMC): Ron Howard hosts an examination of the magic that Hollywood weaves when depicting itself in the movies. Aug. 23 at 7 p.m.

Laughing Matters (Showtime): Three-part special examines the various styles of comedy featuring film and TV clips. The two parts air on July 23 and July 30 at 10 p.m.

Investigative Reports: Joseph Cicippio: Chains to Roses (A&E;): Held captive in Lebanon for five years, ex-hostage Joseph Cicippio describes his harrowing ordeal. Aug. 6.

Living With Bears of the Great Lakes (Discovery): A look at the black bear. July 26 at 9 p.m.

Look of the Year (Fox): Supermodel Kathy Ireland hosts a behind-the-scenes look at the prestigious Elite modeling contest. July 13 at 9 p.m

Magic of Aladdin (KCAL): A look at the hit Disney animated film. July 18 at 9 p.m.

Missing: John Robertson (Discovery): Story of Deborah Robertson Bardsley, who went to incredible lengths to discover what happened to her father, a U.S. Air Force pilot shot down over North Vietnam..July 13 at 9:30 p.m.

Marilyn Monroe: Life After Death (Showtime): Documentary uses never-before-seen footage. August.

Multiple Personalities: The Search for Deadly Memories (HBO): “America Undercover” presentation looks at people afflicted with multiple-personality disorders. July 13 at 10 p.m.

Paha Sapa: The Struggle for the Sacred Hills (HBO): Chronicle of the 125-year conflict between the Sioux nation and the U.S. government. August.

The Rolling Stones: A Musical History (Disney Channel) Video biography of the durable rock ‘n’ roll band features interviews with the band members. July 25 at 9 p.m.

Sam Peckinpah: Man of Iron (A&E;) Kris Kristofferson, James Coburn, Ali MacGraw and Jason Robards reflect on the maverick film director. Monday at 6 and 10 p.m.

Shark Week--We Dare You to Watch (Discovery): For the fifth straight year, Discovery devotes an entire week of programming, July 18-25, to the mysterious world of sharks. It kicks off with the world premiere of “African Shark Safari.” July 18 at 7 p.m.

This Was America 1963 (Disney Channel): E.G. Marshall hosts a retrospective of the year 1963. July 13 at 9 p.m.; Marshall also hosts “This Was America 1968,” July 20 at 9 p.m.

Time Machine with Jack Perkins: Dispelling Witches (A&E;): An examination of the history of witchcraft. July 16.

Washington National Cathedral (PBS): George Page narrates a look at the 20th-Century Gothic cathedral. Wednesday at 7 p.m. on KVCR; Saturday at 4:30 p.m on KPBS.

Why Is My Child Gay? (HBO) “America Undercover” examination of the science and psychology of homosexuality in America today. August.

Women’s Hormones: Myth Vs. Reality (Lifetime): Debbie Reynolds hosts an exploration of the myths, facts and science surrounding the impact of hormones on women’s health. Monday at 10 p.m.

The Wonderful World of Dung (Discovery): A look at how animals use dung as a home, energy source or territorial marker. Sunday at 9 p.m.

Returning Series

Alive TV (PBS): The ninth season of the performing arts series Friday at 10:30 p.m. on KCET; Saturdays at 10 p.m. on KPBS.

Dream On (HBO): Fourth season of the award-winning adult comedy series starring Brian Benben. Wednesdays at 10:30 p.m.

Evening at Pops (PBS): Series marks its 13th and farewell season of conductor John Williams at the helm of the Boston Pops Orchestra. July 9 at 8 p.m. on KVCR; July 11 at 8 p.m. on KCET: July 16 at 8 p.m. on KPBS.

Frontline (PBS): Special presentation of the documentary series features a four-hour report continuing the work filmmaker Ofra Bickel began with the film “Innocence Lost.” The new programs covers the latest developments in the Edenton, N.C., child sex-abuse case. July 20-21 at 8 p.m. on KVCR and KPBS; 9 p.m. on KCET

Great Performances (PBS): Oscar-winning composer Maurice Jarre pays musical tribute to the late great director David Lean in “Lean by Jarre.” Aug. 9.

The Hidden Room (Lifetime): Anthology returns for a second season. Saturdays at 10 p.m.

The Larry Sanders Show (HBO): Garry Shandling’s acclaimed comedy returns for its second season. Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

P.O.V. (PBS): Controversial documentary series returns for its sixth season. Tuesdays at 9 p.m. on KPBS; 10 p.m. on KCET.

The Real World (MTV): The reality-based soap opera returns for its second season with a new cast and locale. Thursdays at 10 p.m.

Russell Simmons’ Def Comedy Jam (HBO): Comedy series returns for its third season. Friday at midnight.