CBS has a clever August/autumn plan, but …

So now CBS’ late-summer surge has begun.
It’s a clever strategy, an attempt to make do as the writers’ and actors’ strikes crush any hopes for a normal fall season. The network delayed four reality shows until August; that lets them sprawl into the fall, to be joined by … well, more reality.
It can work … IF those shows are well-liked. For one of them (the awful “Superfan,” shown here), that’s a big if.
First, let’s look at the overall plan:
— At the core is “Big Brother,” a summertime hit for 25 years. It was delayed until today (Aug. 2); if it sticks to its 100-day plan, it won’t end until Nov. 9. For now, episodes are 8 p.m. Wednesdays, 9 p.m. Thursdays and 8 p.m. Sundays.
— Arriving Friday (Aug. 4) is “Secret Celebrity Renovation.” It will open with two familiar CBS guys – Phil Keoghan at 8 p.m. and Max Thieriot at 9; then settle into a weekly hour at 8.
— Next week, two shows will arrive to take advantage of “Big Brother” lead-ins. Starting Aug. 9, “Superfan” will be 9 p.m. Wednesdays; starting Aug. 10, “The Challenge: USA” will be 9 p.m. Thursdays and (for three weeks) 9 p.m. Sundays.
— This fall, two of the original reality giants – “Survivor” and “Amazing Race” – will return. Expanding to 90 minutes each, they’ll take up all of Wednesdays, nudging “Big Brother” to Tuesdays.
— New shows can take over this fall. “Superfan” has only six episodes (fortunately) and is scheduled to be done by Sept. 13; “Challenge” is scheduled to end Sept. 21.
— And yes, three new games are being prepared – two produced and hosted by TV stars. Josh Duhamel has “Buddy Games,” based on games he and his North Dakota pals play each summer; Jaime Camil has “Loteria Loca,” based on a Mexican game. The third is “Raid the Cage.”
That gives CBS a workable plan for fall, mixed with a few reruns — “NCIS,” “FBI,” “Blue Bloods,” “Ghosts” (including reruns of the original British version) and “Young Sheldon” – plus shows borrowed from corporate partners. “Yellowstone” is from the Paramount Network, “SEAL Team” (originally a CBS show) and “FBI True” are from Paramount+.
It all could work … if the shows are any good. That, alas, leads us back to “Superfan.”
This is one of those shows that seems obligated to have an unmitigated frenzy. The five contestants leap, wave, shout and proclaim their unending fealty to the star – sort of like minor legislative candidates, jockeying for a Trump endorsement.
Just as vehement is host Nate Burleson and his bouncy co-host Keltie Knight. (They’re shown here with LL Cool J.)
In the opener, we’re told that there are “beloved rom-coms” (romantic comedies) by Jeniifer Lopez. This apparently defines “beloved” as “moderately enjoyable”; perhaps “beliked” would be better.
Before that, the star, LL Cool J, is described as “a cerftfied cultural phenomenon who’s beloved by all.” Mr. J is, indeed, a likable guy, but we’re not sure who does the certification and whether anyone has checked the “by all.”
Then comes the game portion, but don’t try to play along. Contestants are asked to identify a song; they usually do it after a note or two. For a “lip sync,” they just jump around the stage.
Eventually, LL Cool J does the jumping – he’s better at it – in a three-and-a-half minute medley.
All of this was taped long ago. LL Cool J (in a portion that may or may not be snipped out for the airing) tells Burleson that his show (“NCIS: Los Angeles”) is “starting our 14th season” and “we just celebrated our 300th episode.”
And by the time this airs? The show’s 14th and final season aired its last new episode – No. 323 – three months ago. Now “Superfan” finally arrives, a weak link in an interesting summer strategy.