The last Friday in July is a good time to reflect on summer programming and how much it has changed. Time was, summer provided a video limbo of repeats and sports, a rest period between network seasons punctuated by “Shark Week” and some novel HBO fare.

How much have things changed? Ponder this: “Monk” (8 p.m., USA) star Tony Shalhoub has just received his fifth Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, an award he has won on three previous occasions. On tonight’s “Monk,” Adrian confronts his fear (and loathing) of nudist colonies.

In many ways, “Monk” marked the tipping point in the battle between the networks and basic cable dramas for attention and respect. In 2003, Shalhoub was the first star of a basic-cable series to win in this category. This did not go unnoticed by the networks. “Monk” was so good and so popular that soon after its cable debut, it aired in repeats on ABC.

In addition to Shalhoub’s fifth Emmy nomination, “Monk” received a nomination for outstanding guest actor in a comedy series for Stanley Tucci’s role as David Ruskin, the actor who played Monk in a movie project and who took his part just a little too much to heart.

“Monk” fans will recall that actor John Turturro was nominated and won in this same category for his role as Monk’s agoraphobic brother, Ambrose Monk. Turturro now stars as beleaguered New York Yankees manager Billy Martin in the excellent miniseries “The Bronx is Burning,” airing Tuesday nights on ESPN.

In addition to “The Bronx,” the past few weeks have seen a flurry of solid programming featuring some of the best actors in the business. Oscar-winner Holly Hunter appears in “Saving Grace” (Monday, TNT), and five-time Academy Award nominee Glenn Close has a part to die for in “Damages” (Tuesday, FX). And let’s not forget Kyra Sedgwick in “The Closer” (Monday, TNT). The excellent series “Mad Men” (Thursday, AMC) may not have the big names, but its game ensemble cast and impressive production values make that period piece set in 1960s Madison Avenue advertising wars one of the most addictive new series on television. And John Leguizamo and Donnie Wahlberg are making the most of their characters on the surprising “The Kill Point” (Sunday, Spike).

Summer used to be a time when “there’s nothing on TV” was a common refrain. Now we have a summer when nearly every night brings appointment television. That’s a major change. And it’s all for the better.

Tonight’s other highlights

¢ Mike Myers stars in the 2002 sequel “Austin Powers in Goldmember” (7 p.m., Fox). The third time was definitely not a charm for this franchise.

¢ Jimmy Kimmel hosts “Set for Life” (7 p.m., ABC).

¢ The town welcomes the marines on “Jericho” (8 p.m., CBS).

¢ “Doctor Who” (8 p.m., Sci Fi) travels to Depression-era New York City, where strange creatures lurk in the sewer system and atop the Empire State Building.

¢ Scheduled on “Expose” (9 p.m., PBS): massive corruption in a Miami agency charged with developing affordable housing.

¢ Scheduled on “20/20” (9 p.m., ABC): dwarves and giants and how they adapt.