Well, here we are in the true dog days of summer, especially when it comes to TV. There’s not

Well, here we are in the true dog days of summer, especially when it comes to TV. There’s not much new on the tube, and we’ve still got a few weeks to wait before the new shows arrive. But, to be honest, we never quite understood why such a listless time has to be described by dissing our canine friends. After all, they’ve given us so much pleasurable viewing over the years - especially these five animated pooches:

v Astro: This gray Great Dane gave much joy to George, Jane, Judy and Elroy Jetson. Well, maybe not George, who never quite mastered the treadmill-like device on which he walked Astro (“Jane, stop this crazy thing!”).

v Huckleberry Hound: Only on TV can dogs be blue, wear a red bow tie and talk with a honeyed Southern accent.

v Ren: Certifiably insane Chihuahua who made life miserable for his feline partner, Stimpy, on the long-running Nickelodeon show.

v Mr. Peabody: This erudite, bespectacled beagle also wore a red tie. And he was the adoptive father of human boy Sherman, who time-traveled with him weekly on “Rocky and His Friends” in the ingenious “WABAC machine.”

v Santa’s Little Helper: Scrawny greyhound adopted on Christmas Eve by the Simpson family after he was unceremoniously booted from Springfield’s dog-racing track for losing too many races.

“face off” (9 p.m., syfy): Time for Season 3 of “Face Off,” the series that challenges aspiring special-effects makeup artists to make their fantasies come to rubbery life. In the opener, they create original aliens for the “Star Wars” cantina scene.

“do something awards” (9 p.m., vh1): We’re so over most awards shows, but we love the idea behind the “Do Something Awards.” This one honors young people — not wayward celebrities — for their achievements in community service.

tv listings, b6

ENTERTAINMENT NEWS

Monstrola accepts position in Texas

YOUNGSTOWN

Mark Monstrola will leave 21 WFMJ-TV, where he has been a meteorologist for five years, to take a new position at KXAN-TV in Austin, Texas.

Monstrola’s last day will be Friday. He will start at KXAN Sept. 10 and will handle the weather on the morning and noon newscasts.

The Pittsburgh native graduated from Penn State in 2007 with a degree in broadcast meteorology and immediately began working for WFMJ.

Minaj to become an ‘Idol’ judge?

NEW YORK

A person close to singer-rapper Nicki Minaj said the 29-year-old entertainer has been in talks to become a judge on Fox TV show “American Idol,” and that a deal is in the works. If Minaj signs on, she would join Mariah Carey as a new judge on “Idol,” which returns in January. Steven Tyler and Jennifer Lopez announced their exits from the show last month.

Minaj — known for her colorful hairstyles, wardrobe and antics — is best known for hits such as “Super Bass,” “Starships” and “Turn Me On” with David Guetta.