“Political Animals”: USA Network miniseries entertaining

POLITICAL ANIMALS -- Season: 2012 -- Pictured: (l-r) Carla Gugino as Susan Berg, Ciaran Hinds as Bud Hammond, Sigourney Weaver as Elaine Barrish, Ellen Burstyn as Margaret, James Wolk as Doug Hammond, Brittany Ishibashi as Anne Ogami, Sebastian Stan as T.J. Hammond - USA Network Photo

Once again proving summer is not the vast wasteland of television viewing it used to be, the USA Network premieres the six-part limited series event “Political Animals” at 9 p.m. Sunday, July 15.

From creator Greg Berlanti (“Everwood”), “Political Animals” centers on Secretary of State Elaine Barrish (Sigourney Weaver) and her family, which includes her ex-husband (and former president), Bud Hammond (Ciaran Hinds), sons Doug Hammond (James Wolk), and Thomas “T.J.” Hammond (Sebastian Stan), and her mother Margaret (Ellen Burstyn).

Elaine has lost a bid for the presidency, but is dedicated in her job as secretary of state and is equally as devoted to her sons. Doug is engaged to be married to Anne Ogami, who has her own issues to deal with, and is assisting his mother in the Secretary of State’s office, while openly gay T.J. struggles with drug addiction and finding his way in life.

Added to the mix is Washington, D.C. journalist Susan Berg (Carla Gugino), whose award-winning past coverage of Elaine and her philandering ex-husband makes them automatic adversaries.