So You Think You Can Dance, MasterChef, Hell's Kitchen: return

Hell's Kitchen If you’re still buried under ice and snow, don’t worry! Warmer months are truly coming. As proof, the folks at FOX have just released the details of the upcoming late spring/summer schedule, featuring the returns of So You Think You Can Dance, MasterChef, and Hell’s Kitchen.

Here’s the press release from FOX:

SIZZLING SUMMER BEGINS THIS MAY ON FOX

“SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE” LAUNCHES NEXT SEARCH FOR AMERICA’S FAVORITE DANCER THURSDAY, MAY 26

AMERICA’S AMATEUR COOKS COMPETE TO BE THE NEXT “MASTERCHEF” BEGINNING MONDAY, JUNE 6

GORDON RAMSAY SERVES UP NINTH COURSE OF “HELL’S KITCHEN” STARTING TUESDAY, JULY 19

FOX sizzles this summer with the return of SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, HELL’S KITCHEN and MASTERCHEF.

Back for an eighth season this summer, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE kicks off with a two-hour premiere Thursday, May 26 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). Hosted by Cat Deeley, the hit dance competition series will inspire and amaze viewers as dancers skilled in styles ranging from hip-hop to ballroom compete to be named America’s Favorite Dancer. This season’s auditions feature resident judges Nigel Lythgoe and Mary Murphy, as well as guest judges Robin Antin, Lil C, Tyce Diorio, Toni Redpath and Jason Gilkison. Once the auditions conclude, weekly two-hour performance shows will air Wednesdays (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and weekly results shows will air Thursdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), followed by encore episodes of GLEE (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

World-renowned chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich and chef Graham Elliot return to challenge a new batch of hopefuls on the second season of hit culinary competition series MASTERCHEF beginning Monday, June 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). America’s best amateur cooks from all walks of life will compete two nights a week for the coveted white apron Mondays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) and Tuesdays (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT).

Chef Ramsay takes over Tuesdays when HELL’S KITCHEN starts cooking July 19 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) following all-new episodes of MASTERCHEF. HELL’S KITCHEN puts aspiring restaurateurs through an intense culinary academy as Ramsay seeks out the one chef who possesses the right combination of ingredients to win the life-changing grand prize.

Starting June 3, FOX Fridays lead with encores of BONES (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT) featuring the investigative work of fearless forensic duo Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) and Seeley Booth (David Boreanaz), followed by encores of LIE TO ME (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) starring Tim Roth as deception expert Cal Lightman.

The most arresting night of television airs Saturdays with a mixture of all-new and encore episodes of COPS (8:00-8:30 and 8:30-9:00 PM ET/PT) followed by all-new episodes of AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) until its season finale on June 18. Encores of compelling new police drama THE CHICAGO CODE begin Saturday, June 25 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

Sundays feature everyone’s favorite animated families with encores all summer long of THE SIMPSONS, THE CLEVELAND SHOW, FAMILY GUY, AMERICAN DAD and newcomer BOB’S BURGERS (7:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).

RECAP — FOX 2011 SUMMER SCHEDULE
(All times ET/PT except as noted)

MONDAY
Mondays, beginning June 6:
8:00-9:00 PM MASTERCHEF (Season Premiere, Part 1)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE (Encores)

TUESDAY
Tuesdays, beginning June 7:
8:00-9:00 PM MASTERCHEF (Season Premiere, Part 2)
9:00-9:30 PM RAISING HOPE (Encores)
9:30-10:00 PM TRAFFIC LIGHT (Encores)
Tuesday, July 12:
8:00-11:00 PM ET MLB ALL-STAR GAME 2011 (FOX Sports Special)
Tuesdays, beginning July 19:
8:00-9:00 PM MASTERCHEF
9:00-10:00 PM HELL’S KITCHEN (Season Premiere)

WEDNESDAY
Wednesdays, beginning June 1:
8:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season Premiere, Part 2)

THURSDAY
Thursday, May 26:
8:00-10:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Season Premiere, Part 1)
Thursdays, beginning June 2:
8:00-9:00 PM SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE (Time Period Premiere)
9:00-10:00 PM GLEE (Encores)

FRIDAY
Fridays, beginning June 3:
8:00-9:00 PM BONES (Encores)
9:00-10:00 PM LIE TO ME (Encores)

SATURDAY
Saturday, June 18:
8:00-8:30 PM COPS (Season Finale)
8:30-9:00 PM COPS
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA’S MOST WANTED (Season Finale)

Saturdays, beginning June 25:
8:00-8:30 PM COPS (Encores)
8:30-9:00 PM COPS (Encores)9:00-10:00 PM
THE CHICAGO CODE (Time Period Premiere) (Encores)

SUNDAY
Sundays, beginning June 5:
7:00-10:00 PM ANIMATION DOMINATION (Encores)

[EDITOR’S NOTE: The UNTITLED JAMIE FOXX/AFFION CROCKETT PROJECT, previously scheduled to premiere June 9, will now air at a later date.]