Keeping Up With the Networks

Though there’s a dearth of new programming on the major networks this summer, cable and public broadcasting have many new series, movies and specials on tap. Here are highlights of what’s in store on the tube for June, July and August:

SERIES

“Russia’s War”: Ten-part documentary series covering the history of the people of Russia from 1924-52. July 11. KCET.

“Oz”: Latest series from “Homicide” creators Barry Levinson and Tom Fontana explores the lives of correctional officers and inmates of an urban prison. July 12. HBO.

“Johnny Bravo”: Animated series about a karate-chopping, woman-chasing rocker. July 14. Cartoon Network.

“Dead Man’s Gun”: Henry Winkler executive produces this anthology, which tells the story of how a dead man’s gun, touched by evil, passes from hand to hand. July 13. Showtime.

“Apt. 2F”: Weekly comedy show starring Randy and Jason Sklar, twin brothers and comics from St. Louis who incorporate stand-up comedy in a sitcom format. July 13. MTV.

“Roar”: Shaun Cassidy and Ron Koslow created this action-adventure drama set in Europe, circa 400 A.D. July 14. Fox.

“Cow & Chicken”: Animated series about the adventures of a surreal pair of siblings. July 15. Cartoon Network.

“Real World VI”: The popular reality-based soap opera is based this year in Boston. Besides living and fighting together, seven young adults also try to work part time at an after-school youth center. July 18. MTV.

“The Hunger”: Anthology series from brothers Tony and Ridley Scott, based on classic short stories dealing with the forbidden and bizarre. July 20. Showtime.

“Mission Genesis”: Six young clones awaken aboard a ship to learn they are on a mission to repopulate a now dead Earth. July 21. Sci-Fi Channel.

“Solar Empire”: Michael Dorn narrates a six-part series which unravels the mysteries of the solar system, July 27. Learning Channel.

“Stargate SG-1”: Richard Dean Anderson stars in this sci-fi adventure based on the hit 1994 film, “Stargate.” July 27. Showtime.

“Win Ben Stein’s Money”: The series, hosted by the actor and former Nixon speech writer, pits contestants against him to win his fee for the day, which is $5,000. July 28. Comedy Central.

“Fast Track”: Drama chronicling the behind-the-scenes life of the stock car racing world. Aug. 3. Showtime.

“USA High”: New weekday teen series. Aug. 4. USA.

“South Park”: Animated comedy series using construction paper cutouts. Aug. 13. Comedy Central.

“Remember WENN”: The award-winning nostalgic comedy series returns for its third season. Aug. 16. AMC.

MOVIES

“North Shore Fish”: Mercedes Ruehl and Tony Danza star in Israel Horovitz’ drama. June 29. Showtime.

“High Stakes”: Cynthia Gibb stars in a true story of a woman who becomes involved in high-stakes gambling. July 7. Lifetime.

“Rough Riders”: Tom Berenger headlines John Milius’ four-hour drama about Teddy Roosevelt and his infamous charge on San Juan Hill. July 20-21. TNT.

“Hostile Waters”: Rutger Hauer stars in a thriller chronicling the previously untold story of how a possible nuclear catastrophe was averted in 1986. July 26. HBO.

“Intensity”: Four-hour adaptation of Dean Koontz’s best-seller about a psychopath, starring John C. McGinley and Molly Parker. Aug. 5-6. Fox.

“Any Mother’s Son”: Bonnie Bedelia plays the mother of a gay soldier who was killed by his shipmates, Aug. 8. Lifetime.

“Elvis Meets Nixon”: Factual story of the day Elvis Presley decided to visit President Richard M. Nixon. Aug. 10. Showtime.

“First-Time Felon”: Charles Dutton directs a drama about a young convict sent to help save an Illinois town from the 1993 floods. Aug. 16. HBO.

“12 Angry Men”: Jack Lemmon, Ossie Davis, George C. Scott and Armin Mueller-Stahll star in William Friedkin’s remake of the ‘50s courtroom classic. Aug. 17. Showtime.

“Wallace”: Gary Sinise plays the controversial former Alabama governor in a biographical drama directed by John Frankenheimer. Aug. 24 and 26. TNT.

“The Grimm Brothers’ Snow White”: Sigourney Weaver and Sam Neill star in this dark version of the classic. Aug. 24. Showtime.

MUSIC

“The Wallflowers: Unplugged”: Jakob Dylan and his band play an acoustic set. July 1. MTV.

“Pops Goes the Fourth!”: Keith Lockart and the Boston Pops Esplanada Orchestra perform in a live concert. July 4. A&E.;

“A Capitol Fourth”: Barry Bostwick hosts a live holiday broadcast from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. July 4. KCET.

“Sessions at West 54th Street”: Chris Douridas hosts this music series for the post-MTV crowd. July 5. KCET.

“Disney’s Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra”: Eighty-two talented young musicians perform at the Hollywood Bowl. Aug. 2. Disney Channel.

“Garth Live From Central Park”: Country western sensation Garth Brooks performs in a free concert in New York. Aug. 7. HBO.

“Fleetwood Mac Reunion”: The popular band reunites after 15 years for a concert special. Aug. 10. MTV.

“Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra: Jesus Lopez-Cobos Conducts Ravel and Dvorak.” August. KCET.

SPECIALS

“A Day With. . . .”: Rene Russo hosts an examination of the lives of women who shape the culture and events of the world. June 29. Lifetime.

“Hitchhiking Vietnam: Letters From the Trail”: Program follows a woman’s seven-month journey through Vietnam. June 30. KCET.

“What’s Right With America”: Patrick Duffy hosts this special combining drama with documentary segments in a celebration of the rights and freedoms which form the foundation of our country. July 4. CBS.

“China: Born Under the Red Flag”: Documentary looks at the country’s transformation after Mao Zedong’s death. July 9. KCET.

“Astronauts”: Documentary chronicling the inside story of a space mission and its astronauts. July 16. KCET.

“The Bert Fershners”: Sketch comedy concert by a seven-member comedy troupe. July 19. Comedy Central.

“Big Guns Talk: The Story of the Western”: James Garner hosts a documentary on the western film genre. July 27 at 5 p.m. TNT.

“Prohibition: Thirteen Years That Changed America”: A documentary on the Prohibition Era of the 1920s and early ‘30s. July 27. A&E.;

“Crayola Kids Adventures”: New versions of “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea,” “The Trojan Horse” and “Gulliver’s Travels” geared for children and their families. Aug. 8, 15 and 22. CBS.

“Shark Week”: The popular week of programming examining all aspects of the mysterious underwater creatures celebrates its 10th anniversary. Aug. 10-17. Discovery Channel.

“Pirate Tales”: Roger Daltry tells the stories of the colorful and ruthless men and women who made their fortune on the high seas in this four-hour docudrama. Aug. 24 and 31. TBS.