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It’s really hard to believe but we are already into the second half of the television season, and in a few more months, back to reruns. The networks are starting to realize that in order to compete with cable they will have to start presenting new shows for us to watch in what was once considered the off season. Unfortunately that will probably mean more reality shows. Personally I think I’d rather watch the reruns.

The Networks will be offering some new shows to the midseason lineup to replace shows that have been canceled. The WB has sent me three new shows to preview and I was very impressed with one of them.

“Summer Land” a one-hour drama, from Aaron Spelling is definitely a show you can watch with your family. Lori Loughlin from “Full House” stars as Ava a young single gal in her thirties with a lifestyle she was very happy with. She has a close-knit circle of friends, a great house in a beautiful California beach town and a growing career as a fashion designer, the last thing she was prepared to do was settle down with a family. That all changed when her sister and brother-in-law were killed in an accident leaving Ava to raise their three children.

Until the accident Ava’s biggest challenge in her life was her career and a decision to quit her glamorous job at a large design house to start her own boutique designer label. She was having fun being a cool aunt who would occasionally drop in on her niece and nephews at their isolated Kansas farm or invite them to visit in California, where they were dazzled by her exciting life.

Despite the tragedy the children adjusted fairly well to the sudden change from rural Kansas to the beaches of Southern California. Sixteen-year-old Bradin (Jesse McCartney, “All My Children), has his own adolescents to deal with, but does his best to help his younger siblings. Twelve-year-old Nikki (Kay Panabaker, “The Brothers Garcia”) has always adored her aunt but now has a problem with Ava trying to fill her mother’s shoes. Eight-year-old Derrik (Nick Benson, “National Treasure) has problems with trying to understand life and why his parents died.

Ava wants to install in the children that they are all still a family but finds it a little hard to do by her self. Since college Ava’s support system has been her three devoted friends, Johnny, Jay and Susanna. Now her friends are willing to step in and help her as the ultimate surrogate family and Ava discovers that it really does take a village or in this case, a hip beach community to raise a child.

One of Ava’s friends, Johnny played by Shawn Christian (“As the World Turns,” “Shopgirl”) is Ava’s former boyfriend and they have remained very close. At the moment Johnny is there for her and her instant family, acting as the father figure the kids desperately need. Johnny is especially there for Derrick who is struggling to deal with losing his parents.

Shawn Christian is a young man that Viewers Voice has a special interest in. In 1997 he won our award for Favorite Actor in a Daytime Drama for his role as Mike Kasnoff on “As the World Turns.” He attended our awards banquet and our members fell in love with him. His not only has a great sense of humor but has a very sincere and lovely way of making everyone feel special.

Shawn is a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan and has enjoyed a successful and varied career as an actor. He moved to Chicago and it was there he polished his acting skills on stage with the improvisational company “Improv Olympic.”

Shawn spent three seasons on “As the World Turns” and then moved to Los Angeles and landed recurring roles in “Crossing Jordan,” “10-8,” “Beverly Hills, 90210,” “Pacific Palisades,” and “Becker,” as well as The WB dramas “Charmed” and “Birds of Prey.” He also showed off his talent for comedy on “Friends” playing Rachael’s gynecologist. Recently Shawn starred in the television movie “Undercover Christmas,” opposite Jamie Gertz and Tyne Daly.

Shawn currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife and son. A sports enthusiast, he enjoys playing basketball, football, baseball and racquetball in his spare time.

I feel that “Summerland” is an excellent family drama that is worth waiting for and I will keep you updated on when it will be on the air. Much like The WB’s “7^th Heaven,” “Gilmore Girls,” and “Everwood,” it’s a show worth supporting if you’re looking for excellence in television entertainment. I have to admit for the most part The WB is becoming one of my favorite channels to watch.

The Help” is the second show from The WB that I previewed, and it’s from the creator of “Married…With Children,” Ron Leavitt. The series is a comedy that centers on the class warfare between a group of servants and their employers, the wealthy Ridgeway family. I’m not a big fan of sit-coms so I want you to judge for yourself. There were parts in the show where I found myself laughing and I loved seeing Mindy Cohn (“Facts of Life”) back on TV but on the whole I wasn’t that impressed. “The Help” premieres on Friday, March 5 at 8:30-9:00 p.m., CST.

The third show I didn’t waste my time on because it was another reality series; the second installment of “High School Reunion.” For all you fans of reality shows this one will return on Sunday, March 14.

Good news from The WB, “The Gilmore Girls” has been picked up for a fifth season, taking it through the 2004-2005 television season. This is an excellent family show about a mother-daughter relationship that plays more like the bond between sisters and stars Lauren Graham and Alexis Bledel. The show airs on Tuesdays at 7:00-8:00 p.m., CST.

Still no word from ABC about the status of the series “10-8” (Sunday, 7:00-8:00 p.m., CST), so if you watch the show and enjoy it, please write to ABC and let them know. Your letter can make a difference. Write to: Susan Lyne, President of ABC Entertainment, 500 South Buena Vista, Burbank, CA 91521-4565.

Until my next column, let your voice be heard.