The Simple Life 2: Sam Jones

Summer's Returning Hits

The Simple Life Fox • June 16
The caviar-out-of-water antics of Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie (pictured, from left) helped ''The Simple Life'' draw an average of 13 million viewers (some of whom were also undoubtedly curious after viewing a certain sex video circulating on the Internet), so it was no surprise that Fox signed up the socialites for another go-round. This time producers ordered up a bubble-gum pink GMC truck and a 25-foot Airstream trailer and mapped out a four-week Miami-to-Los Angeles route that maximizes culture-clash opportunities: The girls will crash with local families, including Ewing-esque ranchers, apocalyptic gospel singers, and a Cajun family with a tomboy daughter who will score some catwalking lessons from Paris. ''Last season we just felt so trapped, being stuck with that family and all those curfew things,'' Nicole says. So what about those promises of staying in touch with that sweet Arkansas family, the Ledings, who cried when the girls moved out? Drawls Paris, ''I changed my number.'' -- Jessica Shaw

Joe Schmo 2 Spike TV • June 15
The second season of the faux-reality series finds clueless contestants Ingrid Weise and Tim Walsh competing in what they think is a dating show called ''Last Chance for Love.'' But they're actually surrounded by actors improvising as reality TV stereotypes like ''the playa'' and the ''gotta-be-gay guy.''

Monk USA • June 18
In the detective dramedy's third season, Monk (Tony Shalhoub) travels to New York City to follow a clue about his wife's death, and watches his chances for reinstatement to the San Francisco Police Department fizzle when a new commissioner comes to town.

The Amazing Race CBS • July 6
The race begins in Los Angeles when 11 teams -- including (annoying cross-promotion alert) ''Big Brother 4'' runner-up Alison and her boyfriend Donnie, a father-and-daughter duo, and ''Race'''s first little-person contestant -- go head-to-head over six continents in 29 days.