It’s dancing and games for ABC’s summer

Dance will replace romance, as the Monday key to ABC’s summer line-up.
That’s “Dancing with the Stars: The Next Pro,” hosted by Robert Irwin (shown here). It debuts July 13, as part of line-up that also has three returning game shows and two specials.
For a while, ABC is dominated by the pro-basketball playoffs. This year, they start June 3 and could go as late on June 19.
Then summer has its delayed start — a three-hour annual country-music special is June 25, with other shows starting in July.
Often, “The Bachelorette” has been the season’s anchor. It was key to 16 ABC summers, through 2024. But last year it was delayed for an overhaul … then dumped entirely when a tape emerged showing that the new “bachelorette” (Taylor Frankie Paul) had anger issues.
This time, however, ABC has a replacement. It could see the summer success of Fox’s former “So You Think You Can Dance.” Also, it has the instant likability of Irwin, 22, winner of the latest “Dancing With the Stars.”
He’ll host the show, which has 12 dancers living together and vying for a spot as one of the professional dancers on “Stars.” Panelists will be pro dancer Mark Ballas, his mother Shirley and rotating pros.
The schedule:
— “CMA Fest” from Nashville, June 25.
— “Celebrity Family Feud” (hosted by Steve Harvey) and “Press Your Luck” (Elizabeth Banks), 8 and 9 p.m. Thursdays, starting July 9.
— “Dancing With the Stars: The Next Pro,” 8 p.m. Mondays, starting July 13.
— ESPYs (sports awards), 8-11 p.m. Wednesday, July 15.
— “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” (hosted by Jimmy Kimmel)m 8 p.m. Wednesdays, starting July 22.
Also, the network will revert to Sunday as a movie night. That will include some Disney films –“Moana,” “Toy Story 4,” “Princess Diaries,” “The Parent Trap” — and others,. from “Speed” and “True Lies” to “What About Bob?”