Baywatch

OK, so not every new scripted show being trotted out this summer could work on cable's top-rated network. But clearly, plenty of rivals -- both broadcast and cable -- are envious of the success USA has had with blue skies, character-driven programming such as "Burn Notice" and ... more"White Collar."

Fox was so impressed it recruited "Burn" creator Matt Nix to come up with "The Good Guys," a breezy cop show throwback that could've worked on one of the Big Three 25 years ago (including Bradley Whitford's Selleck-esque 'stache). ABC has "Scoundrels," a dramedy with David James Elliot, Virginia Madsen and Carlos Bernard as members of a family of quirky cons.

Over at A&E, there's the character-driven procedural "The Glades," with a quirky cop (Matt Passmore) trying to adjust to life in a somewhat odd Florida town. A&E even used the term "blue sky" in a press release announcing the show.

TNT, meanwhile, has Jason Lee in the George Clooney-produced "Memphis Beat," with the former "My Name is Earl" star playing a southern cop who lives with his mom and is a musical impersonator at night. Quirky much?

And, of course, USA will be launching its own USA-esque new series this summer, "Covert Affairs," which will air Tuesdays at 10 starting in July.

Is the network flattered -- or worried about others stealing its script?

"It's wonderful to see a lot people embracing our sensibility," USA programming president Jeff Wachtel said. "It just puts the onus on us to find the next great thing. You'll see us starting to expand our sensibility."