ABC announces summer schedule: 'Dating,' 'Superstars,' 'Goode' and the return of three dramas

ABC announced its summer plans, including a dating show where contestants can't see each other, Mike Judge's animated comedy and a new take on the network's classic Wide World of Sports.

The network is burning off the remaining episodes of Pushing Daisies, Eli Stone and Dirty Sexy Money on Saturdays throughout the summer.

Like Fox and NBC, the broadcaster is launching some summer programming in May to try to get an early start. 

Here's the list with comments and official descriptions:

-- The Bachelorette: Debuts Monday, May 18 (9:00-11:00 p.m.), before moving to its regular 8 p.m. time period. With Jillian Harris.

-- Here Come the Newlyweds: Monday, May 25, at 10 p.m.: Excerpt from the official description:

The one-hour romantic comedy alternative series returns for a second season with nine just-married couples competing for a life-changing cash prize to help kick-start their new lives together and realize their dreams.

-- Wipeout: Wednesday, May 27, at 8 p.m.: The second season of last summer's breakout hit, though will it avoid the curse of American Gladiators and manage to pull the same breakout numbers? Excerpt from the official description:

The Qualifier boasts amazing new obstacles, including Plank in the Face, Hurtles and Gyro Sweeper. Brace yourself in the all new Wipeout Zone with the Catapult, Gears of Doom and more high stakes challenges. And the fan favorite obstacle -- the Big Balls -- will return, but with a twist: “The Motivator,” a massive anvil, sneaks up on contestants propelling then onto the Big Balls if they hesitate.

-- The Goode Family: Wednesday, May 27, at 9 p.m.: Official description:

Meet Gerald and Helen Goode, a couple who live by the motto WWAGD (“What Would Al Gore Do?”). Gerald, a college administrator, and Helen, a community activist, are determined to obliterate their carbon footprint on the planet: They’re zealous vegans, drive a hybrid and recycle everything possible. Even the family dog, Che, is vegan. In the words of Helen, all the Goodes want to do is buy organic apples and call minorities by their right names. But despite their best efforts, something always goes haywire with their politically correct plans.

-- The Superstars: Tuesday, June 23, at 8 p.m.: You would think after ABC's Fast Cars & Superstars and NBC's Superstars of Dance the network would avoid using the s-word in another reality show title. Official description:

The Superstars, a fresh take on an old favorite, is based on ABC’s classic Wide World of Sports series The Superstars, which pitted athletes from all different sports against each other to determine the best athlete in the world. Eight celebrities are paired with eight professional male and female athletes to compete against each other in varying sporting events. Each week a team will be eliminated until one team is ultimately crowned the winner. Competitors’ athletic prowess will be put to the test with events including swimming, biking, running and kayaking, in addition to other head-to-head athletic challenges that will test strength, speed, stamina, agility, as well as an element of strategy. The six-episode series will be shot entirely on location at the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.

-- I Survived a Japanese Game Show: Wednesday, July 8, at 9 p.m. Producers promise more action, less behind-the-scenes aspects for the second season.

-- Dating in the Dark: Monday, July 20, at 10 p.m.: The one that has everybody curious. Sounds like something that cannot work -- who wants to watch couples in night vision? Yet a few that have seen the pilot swear it works. Official description:

Dating in the Dark is a unique alternative series that asks the age-old question, “Is Love Blind?” Each week, three single men and three single women, all looking for love, will move into a house together, but be totally sequestered from the opposite sex. While they will have no chance of seeing each other in the light, they will have the opportunity to date in a completely dark room. Looks will be taken out of the equation as the men and women get to know each other and form bonds in total darkness. After several days of dating in the darkroom, the participants will select the one member of the opposite sex that they want to see revealed in the light. For the first time, the participants will see whom they’ve been dating, wooing, kissing, snuggling with and forming bonds with. And after they see each other in the light for the first time, they have to make the difficult decision: Do they stay with the person they fell for in the dark, or leave them behind? Hosted by Rossi Moreale.

-- And finally, ABC rises Wednesday nights from the dead. Though this is at the very bottom of ABC's press release it will likely lead most news stories covering the announcement. Daisies returns to the schedule as of Saturday, May 30, through Saturday, June 13, at 10:00 p.m.; Stone on Saturday, June 20, through Saturday, July 11, at 10:00 p.m.; and Money on Saturday, July 18, through Aug. 8 at 10:00 p.m.