05/05/2021 Rio Grande, PR--Filming of Fantasy Island, Season 1, Episode 1, starring Roselyn Sanchez (Rourke) and featuring Bellamy Young (Christine), directed by Adam Kane. (Photo: Laura Magruder)

Best-bets for Aug. 10: A debut, three returns and more

1) “Fantasy Island” debut, 9 p.m., Fox. In a summer of reality and reruns, here’s a surprise – a lush, scripted drama on a big network. It reboots the series that ended in 1984 – now with Roselyn Sanchez (shown here), of “Grand Hotel” and “Devious Maids” as the grand-niece of the original Mr. Roarke. Like him, she looks great in white and guides people to self-discovery; there are key guest stars, starting with Bellamy Young of “Scandal.” Still, the opener has a somber tone and is merely an OK viewing experience. Read more…

1) “Fantasy Island” debut, 9 p.m., Fox. In a summer of reality and reruns, here’s a surprise – a lush, scripted drama on a big network. It reboots the series that ended in 1984 – now with Roselyn Sanchez (shown here), of “Grand Hotel” and “Devious Maids” as the grand-niece of the original Mr. Roarke. Like him, she looks great in white and guides people to self-discovery; there are key guest stars, starting with Bellamy Young of “Scandal.” Still, the opener has a somber tone and is merely an OK viewing experience.

2) “Stargirl” season-opener, 8 p.m., CW. And here’s a show that doesn’t disappoint. Unlike some other teen fantasies, it has smart scripts, great visuals and Luke Wilson. In the first season, Courtney found three young colleagues and beat the bad guys. Now her life is calm and her dad (Wilson) – a former superhero sidkick with his own robot – advises her to go back to normal; she doesn’t want to. Not to worry: At the start and end of the hour, we get hints of a fierce new villain.

3) “America’s Got Talent” return, 8-10 p.m., NBC. In these post-Olympic days, NBC returns to its regular summer shows, including this ratings-leader. It starts the quarter-finals now, with live episodes and viewers voting; the results show will be Wednesday.

4) “College Bowl” return, 10 p.m., NBC. Here’s another show fresh from an Olympic break. Before the pause, two teams – Auburn and Columbia. Now Michigan and Alabama (both with first-round wins) vie for the third spot; next week has UCLA and Southern California.\

5) “Miracle Workers: The Oregon Trail,” 10:30 p.m., TBS. Last week had Daniel Radcliffe’s brilliant moment, complete with cabaret song; now we have an episode that’s merely fairly good. The wagon train faces two surprises – robbers (one of them linked to Benny) and a sort of religious cult (led by Tim Meadows). There are some funny moments, plus odd results. As the episode ends, one character has had a major life change; another remains buried up to his neck.

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