It’s April, and that can only mean one thing: winter seasons are winding down so that new summer shows can blaze their way onto TV screens. But this year’s shows might not have enough spark to create a blaze…or even much warmth. This year’s summer shows from most major networks and cable channels center around new reality plots, as the summer season is always rife with new reality. Looking forward to summer renewals like Hell’s Kitchen, The Simple Life, and Kyle XY? Most summer favorites will be back for another run at big ratings, including Ghost Hunters (Sci-Fi Network), The Closer (TNT), and America’s Got Talent (NBC). But most networks are banking on brand-new shows to grab viewer attention, not old favorites. What’s fresh, new, and exciting about the summer season this year? If intense drama and reality melodrama appeal to you, then you’re all set for some great TV watching. Check out early previews on some of summer’s new, highly hyped, series.

FOX will unveil more than one new series, but none have been as touted as the dramatic new Drive, set to air Monday nights at 8pm. The show is set for an early summer season premiere on April 15, and features a group of “average” people involved in an illegal cross-country race, a contest. Anybody remember Rat Race? Imagine that…without the funny parts. Meanwhile, prime time Wednesdays have already received an 8pm comedy boost from NBC. Most people have seen the promos for this, but didn’t know what they were watching. A group of guest celebrities (and that term is being applied more and more to people who don’t seem to fit the bill) will improv together – crying “Thank God you’re here!” when someone new arrives on set. Thank God You’re Here is in fact the name of the show…thank God, it probably won’t last that long. If Drew Carey taught TV viewers anything, it’s that even improv can get stale – quick. The saving grace of the show isn’t having God in the title (does He really deserve credit when guest celebs show up? Is it so rare to get actors to stick to a schedule?), it’s having Dave Foley as a host. If Thank God succeeds, it will be because he’s involved.

SciFi Channel’s tribute to a comic book heroine, Painkiller Jane is scheduled to premiere tonight at 10pm. Kirstanna Loken stars as Jane Vasco, DEA agent with self-healing powers who must battle mutants who have mind control abilities. She’ll strive to learn the secret of her powers as she battles supernatural threats. This is an adventurous series to promote, but the SciFi channel isn’t foolish – the network is renewing its original hit Ghost Hunters this summer as well. Bravo will be unveiling a bevy of new shows that include Hey Paula (with Paula Abdul) and a slew of reality shows depicting how the luxurious live. Shear Genius premiered this week, and will continue to run Wednesdays at 10pm. Jaclyn Smith observes contestants as they battle to cut hair in this reality style-off. The First Cut has already been made, and one contestant is packing their bags. Will Shear Genius be a Project Runway-style hit? Only Bravo would dare to show fans how fun hair cutting can be.

A variety of new shows are set to air through the summer, though only a few of these are likely to survive. This year’s summer TV season promises to be blazing hot in promos, but fans will have to wait…and watch.