FROM MOON LANDINGS TO WAIKIKI TO BEING 15

Summer used to mean suffering through endless repeats. Or just not watching anything. But not any more: Over the next two months, networks, cable and PBS will be offering up new series, specials, documentaries and awards shows. And several favorite series will be returning with new episodes, including HBO’s acclaimed comedies “Dream On” and “The Larry Sanders Show,” MTV’s “The Real World” and PBS’ “Evening at Pops.”

Here is an overview of what’s new on the tube for the summer:

NEW SERIES

Absolutely Fabulous (Comedy Central): The British comedy, starring Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley as two 40ish women who take the London fashion scene by storm, comes to the States. July 24 at 3 p.m.

Beach TV (MTV): Host Daisy Fuentes takes viewers to the best beaches in Florida, California and Hawaii. Fridays at noon.

The Better Sex Show (ABC): Variety series featuring a cast of comics who take a humorous look at topical issues. Aug. 16 at 10 p.m.

Clive James (PBS) British satirist Clive James offers his opinions on world events in the company of celebrity guests. July 11 at 8:30 p.m. on KPBS and July 17 at 10:30 p.m. on KCET.

Club Date (PBS): The concert series set in nightclubs premieres with the Vuckovich/Harrell Quintet. TBA.

Dead at 21 (MTV): An action-adventure series about two young lovers on the run. Wednesdays at 10 p.m.

Deaf Mosaic (Discovery): Gallaudet College produces this show, which encourages understanding between the hearing and non-hearing worlds. Sunday at 9 a.m.

Hotel Malibu (CBS): This nighttime soap set in a California hotel stars Jennifer Lopez and Pepe Serna. Aug. 4 at 10 p.m.

Jocks (Comedy Central): Comedians cover major sports events in this tweak on the sports talk-show genre. July 8 at 9:30 p.m.

The Last Frontier (Discovery): Explore the oceans with underwater filmmaker John Stoneman. Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.

Limboland (Comedy Central): A computer-animated skeleton interviews live guests on this comedy sketch show. July 4 at 9:30 p.m.

Models Inc. (Fox): The new serial drama from Aaron Spelling about models and their lives kicks off with a 90-minute episode. Wednesday at 8 p.m.

Movies That Changed My Life (American Movie Classics): Well-known personalities from outside the film biz talk about the movies. August.

Muddling Through (CBS): Stephanie Hodge stars in this sitcom as a woman who returns to her family after spending three years in jail for accidentally shooting her philandering husband. July 9 at 9 p.m.

Musical Shorts (Comedy Central): A host from the comedy or music world introduces song parodies and funny short films. July 31 at 10 p.m.

My So-Called Life (ABC): “thirtysomething” producers Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz are back with a drama from the point-of-view of a 15-year-old girl. Starring Bess Armstrong and Claire Danes. Late August.

One West Waikiki (CBS): Cheryl Ladd stars as a forensics expert on Oahu. Aug. 4 at 8 p.m.

Seapower: A Global Journey (PBS) Six-part exploration of the relationship between humans and the sea. July 5 at 9 p.m. on KCET, July 12 at 9 p.m. on KPBS.

The Steven Banks Show (PBS): Comedian Steven Banks stars as a single guy who constantly procrastinates. July 11 at 9 p.m. on KPBS and July 17 at 10 p.m. on KCET.

Small Doses (Comedy Central): An introduction to the newest faces in comedy. Aug. 12 at 10 p.m.

TV Nation (NBC): A comedic investigative magazine from filmmaker Michael Moore (“Roger & Me”). The on-air team includes Merrill Markoe, former writer for David Letterman; MTV veejay Karen Duffy; author Ben Hamper (“Rivethead”); Roy Sekoff, Spy magazine’s Louis Theroux, and comic Jonathan Katz. July 19 at 8 p.m.

Watergate (Discovery): Five-part documentary series on Watergate hosted by journalist Daniel Schorr. Aug 7-11.

ORIGINAL MOVIES

Bitter Vengeance (USA): A bitter ex-cop frames his wife for his murder and a bank heist he’s committed with his girlfriend. Bruce Greenwood and Virginia Madsen star. July 28 at 9 p.m.

Cold Sweat: (USA) Ben Cross plays a professional hit man who accidentally kills a young woman. Aug. 4 at 9 p.m.

Don’t Talk to Strangers (USA): A woman, son and new husband find themselves being stalked by her ex-husband. Shanna Reed and Pierce Brosnan star. Aug. 11 at 9 p.m.

Doomsday Gun (HBO): Frank Langella, Alan Arkin and Kevin Spacey star in this thriller based on the true story of Gerald Bull, who dealed weapons with Saddam Hussein. July 23 at 8 p.m.

The Enemy Within (HBO): This remake of “Seven Days in May,” set in the ‘90s, has an all-star cast including Forest Whitaker, Jason Robards, Dana Delany and Sam Waterston as the President. Aug. 20 at 8 p.m.

Gettysburg (TNT): Tom Berenger, Martin Sheen, Jeff Daniels and Sam Elliott star in the acclaimed two-part drama about the soldiers who fought in the bloody 1863 battle in Gettysburg. Sunday and Monday at 5 and 8 p.m.

Parallel Lives (Showtime): Jim Belushi, Jill Eikenberry, Lindsay Crouse, LeVar Burton, Liza Minnelli, Jack Klugman, Ally Sheedy, Helen Slater, Patricia Wettig and Treat Williams appear in an improvised drama about male/female relationships. August.

A Part of the Family (Lifetime): Robert Carradine and Elizabeth Arlen star in this drama about a husband who learns that his wife’s father had sexually abused her for years. July 6 at 9 p.m.

Roadracers (Showtime): The first installment of Showtime’s “Rebel Highway” series, which remakes youth films from the ‘50s, is about a rocker who comes up against trouble. July 22.

Roswell (Showtime): Kyle McLachlan, Martin Sheen and Dwight Yoakam star in this adaptation of the nonfiction book “UFO Crash at Roswell,”about a controversial UFO case. July 31.

Seduced by Evil (USA): Suzanne Sommers plays a magazine writer who is seduced by a sorcerer. Aug. 25 at 9 p.m.

Silent Witness (USA): Mia Korf stars in a drama about two inner-city youths who murder a shopkeeper. July 14 at 9 p.m.

Snapdragon (USA): A female cop and her psychologist lover must find a serial killer. Chelsea Field and Steven Bauer star. July 21 at 9 p.m.

Untamed Love (Lifetime): Cathy Lee Crosby and Gary Frank star in this based-on-a-true-story drama about a teacher of handicapped children who focuses her attention on one special 6-year-old. Aug. 3 at 8 p.m.

The Whipping Boy (Disney): George C. Scott stars in this adventure set in the 18th Century about the friendship between a young prince and an orphan who is his stand-in when it’s time for punishment. July 31 at 7 p.m.

MUSIC, VARIETY, AWARDS

America’s Junior Miss Pageant (NBC): Young contestants from across the country compete in this pageant in Alabama. July 23.

B.B. King: Live at the Woodlands (PBS): The famed bluesman performs. July 15 at 9 p.m. on KVCR, July 29 at 10 p.m. on KCET.

Bill Bellamy: Booty Call (Showtime): The MTV veejay demonstrates his stand-up skills. Mid-August.

A Capitol Fourth (PBS): Joel Grey hosts the 15th annual holiday concert from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. July 4 at 7 p.m. on KVCR; 8 p.m on KCET and KPBS; 9 p.m. on KOCE.

Classical Jazz (PBS): Concert features the music of Jelly Roll Morton, Louis Armstrong and Charlie Parker. August.

Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra (Disney): Special features 76 young musicians performing “Peter and the Wolf” in concert. Aug. 25 at 7 p.m.

Full Access: On Tour with Travis Tritt (TNN): Documentary-style glimpse into the goings-on of the country singer’s life on tour. July 20 at 5 p.m.

George Michael’s Concert of Hope (Disney): Taped at London’s Wembley Arena, this concert to benefit Britain’s National AIDS Trust and Crusade stars Michaels, David Bowie and k.d. Lang. July 24 at 9 p.m.

In a New Light ’94 (ABC): Barbara Walters hosts the third annual entertainment and information special on AIDS featuring guests Clint Black, Bill Cosby and Whoopi Goldberg. July 9 at 8 p.m.

Jackson Browne: Going Home (Disney): The veteran rocker discusses his career and performs his classic hits. August.

Jacksonville Jazz XIV (PBS): Pianist Michel Camilo, singer Rosemary Clooney and sax man Richard Elliot perform at the Jacksonville Jazz Festival. July 8 at 9 p.m. on KVCR and midnight on KPBS.

Jim Thorpe Pro Sports Awards (ABC): Los Angeles Kings hockey great Wayne Gretzky will receive the Jim Thorpe Legacy Award. July 11 at 9 p.m.

The Montreal International Comedy Festival (Showtime): A look at the newest and brightest rising stars in the comedy biz. End of August.

Mostly Mozart Festival (PBS): Gerard Schwartz conducts the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra; Hugh Downs hosts. July 6 at 7 p.m. on KVCR, 8 p.m. on KCET and 9 p.m. on KPBS.

Pop! Goes the Fourth (A&E;): Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra’s bash. July 4 at 4:30 and 9 p.m.

Ralph Emery on the Road with Vince Gill (TNN): Interview with country singer. Aug. 10 at 5 and 9 p.m.

Rhythms of the World (PBS): Bobby McFerrin and Peter Gabriel host a compilation of some of the best of world beat music. Aug. 29 at 9 p.m. on KVCR.

Robert Schimmel (Showtime): Humorist headlines his second comedy special. Mid-August.

Wolf Trap Presents a Gift of Music (PBS): The Alexandria Harmonizers, Linda Hopkins and Rosemany Clooney perform. July 6 at 9 p.m. on KVCR and 10 p.m. on KCET; Aug. 5 at midnight on KPBS.

Wolf Trap Presents a World of Performances (PBS): Kirov Ballet dancers, England’s Swingle Singers and the Miami City Ballet are featured. Aug. 3 at 9 p.m. on KVCR and Aug. 5 at 11 p.m. on KPBS.

DOCUMENTARIES

All About Bette: The Life and Films of Bette Davis (TNT): Jodie Foster hosts a tribute to the famed Oscar-winning actress. July 17 at 5 and 8:30 p.m.

Cousteau’s Papua New Guinea “Center of Fire” (TBS): Jacques and Jean-Michel Cousteau explore the changes wrought by World War II on New Guinea. July 10 at 1:05 p.m.

Encounters: The Hidden Truth (Fox): Journalist John Marshall investigates ghosts, UFOs and other unexplained phenomena. June 24 at 8 p.m.

Fireworks! (A&E;): George Plimpton hosts the story of fireworks. July 3 at 5 and 9 p.m.

Flight of the Condor: A Nature Special (PBS): Three-hour examination of the “spirit of the Andes.” July 27 at 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS.

Freaks, Nerds & Weirdos (MTV): Director Tim Burton hosts. Aug. 16 at 10 p.m.

Gang War: Bangin’ in Little Rock (HBO): Look at the disturbing rise of teen-age gangs in communities all across America. Aug. 2.

The Great Comet Crash (PBS): Coverage of a comet expected to hit the back of Jupiter. July 20 at 7:30 p.m. on KVCR; 10:30 p.m. on KCET and KPBS.

Loyalty and Betrayal: The Story of the American Mob (Fox): Two-part examination of organized crime in America. July 25-26 at 8 p.m.

In Search of Robert Johnson (Bravo): Profile of the inspiring blues guitarist. July 22 at 5 p.m.

In the Shadow of the Mafia (Discovery): A look at the lives of Sicilians caught in the shadow of the Mafia. July 15 at 10 p.m.

The Lynchburg Story (Discovery): Examination of the compulsory sexual sterilization of patients of the state-funded Central Virginia Training Center. July 2 at 10 p.m.

The Making of Baseball (PBS): Companion program to upcoming Ken Burns series “Baseball.” July 4 at 8:30 on KVCR, 9:30 p.m. on KCET and KPBS; July 25 at 10:30 p.m. on KOCE.

Apollo 13: To the Edge and Back (PBS): A chronicle of the mission that nearly didn’t return. July 20 at 9 p.m. on KCET and KPBS; 8:30 p.m. on KVCR.

Missions to the Moon (PBS) In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, this special traces the triumphs and tragedies of America’s Apollo program. July 20 at 8 p.m. on KCET and KPBS; 6:30 p.m. on KVCR.

Moon Shot (TBS): Four-hour chronicling of the competition between the United States and the Soviet Union to put a man on the moon, as told from the perspectives of two of NASA’s original astronaut team, Alan Shepard and the late Deke Slayton. July 11 and 13 at 5:05 p.m.

The Moon Man of Massachusetts: The Robert Goddard Story (Disney Channel): Portrait of American physicist whose achievements developed the rockets that made space travel possible. July 12 at 9 p.m.

One Giant Leap (Discovery): Commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Apollo XI moon landing. July 16 at 8 p.m.

One Small Step (Disney): A look at the developments and breakthroughs of the international space race that led up to putting a man on the moon. July 19 at 9 p.m.

Shark Week ’94 (Discovery): Peter “Jaws” Benchley hosts the seventh annual summer shark extravaganza. July 31-Aug. 7.

Smithsonian Expedition Specials: Treehouse People, Cannibal Justice (A&E;): Mark Harmon hosts this look at the African Korowai tribe that still practices cannibalism. July 10 at 5 and 9 p.m.

Southern Justice: The Murder of Medgar Evers (HBO): Story of the slain Civil Rights leader who dared to defy the Klu Klux Klan. July 11.

The Story of Lassie (PBS): June Lockhart, who starred in the classic TV series, celebrates the popular pooch’s 50th anniversary. Aug. 14 at 5 p.m. on KOCE; TBA on other PBS stations.

Straight Dope (MTV): Examination of the connection between drugs and violence. July 26.

Thomas Jefferson: The Pursuit of Liberty (Disney): Exploration of life and career of third president of the United States; narrated by Edward Herrmann. July 2 at 1 p.m.

Titanic (A&E;): David McCallum hosts a two-part examination of the ill-fated voyage of the R.M.S. Titanic in April, 1912. July 24 and 31 at 5 and 9 p.m.