NBC’s Summer Lineup Is Here: ‘AGT,’ ‘American Ninja Warrior,’ and ‘Password’ Return

NBC has arrived to remind us all why air conditioning and a DVR were invented. The peacock network recently dropped its summer premiere dates, and the schedule is exactly what we’ve come to expect: a comfort-food blend of world-class talent, people falling into pools of water, and Keke Palmer being more charismatic than the rest of the planet combined.

From the return of the juggernaut America’s Got Talent to the gravity-defying Season 18 of American Ninja Warrior, NBC is leaning hard into its "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it" philosophy. Here is everything you need to know about the shows that will be soundtracking your summer nights (and providing the background noise for your Fourth of July hangover).

America’s Got Talent: The Search for the Next Las Vegas Residency

The crown jewel of summer TV, America’s Got Talent (AGT), returns for Season 21 on Tuesday, June 2. If you’ve seen one season, you know the drill: a child singer will make you cry, a guy from Europe will do something terrifying with a chainsaw, and Simon Cowell will wear a grey t-shirt that costs more than your car.

Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Mel B. are back at the judges' table, with the ever-ageless Terry Crews hosting. The live shows officially kick off on August 18, which is when the real chaos begins. It remains the only show on television where a ventriloquist can legitimately compete against a dog act for a million dollars, and for that, we have to stay loyal.

American Ninja Warrior: Now with 50% More Triple-Threats

If watching incredibly fit people make you feel bad about your choice of snacks, mark Monday, June 8 on your calendar. American Ninja Warrior returns for Season 18, and this time they’ve introduced the "Tripleheader."

This new twist features a three-lane racecourse for side-by-side-by-side racing. Because apparently, two ninjas racing wasn't enough adrenaline for Matt Iseman and Akbar Gbajabiamila to scream about. It’s faster, it’s wetter, and the Salmon Ladder is still the ultimate villain of reality television.

Games, Nature, and Tom Hanks

The rest of the slate is a mix of high-stakes shouting and prestige nature docs. Password returns on June 2, immediately following AGT. Jimmy Fallon remains the permanent celebrity player, which is great if you enjoy watching a grown man lose his mind over a synonym for "spatula."

New to the lineup is Surviving Earth, premiering June 4. It’s a massive natural history series that looks at how life survived the five mass extinctions. If that sounds a bit too heavy for a Tuesday in July, NBC is also airing encores of The Americas, narrated by the internet's dad, Tom Hanks. Nothing says "summer" quite like the voice of Forrest Gump explaining how a lizard catches a fly.

The Verdict

NBC knows its audience. While other networks are scratching their heads trying to reinvent the wheel, the Peacock is doubling down on high-production staples that the whole family can agree on. Whether you’re here for the Golden Buzzers or the mid-air wipeouts, your Tuesday and Monday nights are officially booked.

Which show are you most excited to see return? Head over to The TV Cave to let us know if you’re Team Ninja or Team Talent.