Summer TV now and summer TV ten years ago are two entirely different things. There's actually stuff (good stuff) on in the sunny months. It's no longer just re-runs, corny clip-shows, and over-used made for TV movies. Networks, especially cable ones, now give us plenty of reasons to tune in instead of going to the beach and the following shows are sure to keep me pale and tanless this summer.
Rescue Me [Premieres Wed. June 13 on F/X] -- This is by far my favorite summer show. It's the one I look forward to more than anything and frankly, I'd be fine letting go of everything else on this list if I got to keep Rescue Me. Fortunately, I've already been able to screen the first three episodes of season four and it's shaping up to be the best one yet. Tommy Gavin really is America's favorite a-hole.
Entourage [Premieres Sun. June 17 on HBO] -- Half-season, split-season, new season... I don't care what they're calling it. The fact that we only have to wait two weeks and then we get twelve more new episodes of Entourage is a good thing. Nothing bad can be said about that scheduling decision. Billy Walsh is back! Medellín is actually getting made! This new season is gonna be great.
John From Cincinnati [Premieres Sun. June 10 on HBO] -- It's about time that Bruce Greenwood got the chance to be in something with the potential to be as good as Nowhere Man. This show could be it. David Milch is in charge and if this has any of the qualities that made Deadwood so good, then you won't want to miss this "surf noir."
Hidden Palms [Airs Wed. nights on The CW] -- I was a huge fan of The OC, when it was good and when it was bad. I stuck with it. Hidden Palms is half the show The OC was... but I'm gonna watch it anyway. It grabbed up some of Newport Beach's b-rated talent (Taylor Handley, Michael Cassidy) and threw them in a different town with just as many palm trees. Was I intrigued by the pilot? Sort of. But it boils down to one question: do I care what happens next? Helloooo guilty pleasure.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia [Returns to F/X late summer '07] -- If only this show would get released on DVD. The first two seasons are on iTunes still, but I was discs! I want special features! I want explanations about how Glenn Howerton, Rob McElhenney, and Charlie Day come up with some of the most politically incorrect humor on TV!
Damages [Premieres Tues. July 24 on F/X] -- I think this is probably the one new show that I'm most excited for. And if you couldn't tell by this list, I tend to like just about anything on F/X. Glenn Close stars as Patty Hewes, a ruthless Chicago lawyer who apparently does whatever it takes to get her verdict. Sounds promising, especially if this Patty Hewes character is anything like Close's role as Cpt. Monica Rawling on The Shield. Damages also stars Tate Donovan and Ted Danson.
Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip [Airs Thurs. nights on NBC] -- Yeah yeah, I know. But I stuck with it this long so I sure ain't giving up yet. Maybe the series finale will be something to talk about... or not. What a huge disappointment this show turned into. With all the buzz that went into it a year ago, I suppose the least we can do is, you know... watch it die.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
6-05-2007 @ 11:12AM
Eric said...
Am I the only one that really hates that Rescue Me pic?
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6-05-2007 @ 3:22PM
Harry said...
#1: No, it is creepy. I seem to recall a picture from some horror movie that this reminds me of, but I can't think of it.
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6-05-2007 @ 3:22PM
Ry said...
I kinda like that Rescue Me pic. Although they do need a variety as that pic is being used on every single article about the show.
I think the least we can do with Studio 60 is in fact not watch or talk about it. Sorry, I'm petty and still pissed that show for calling everyone that lives in the midwest stupid. Gee, I wonder if insulting a large part of the country would hurt the ratings.
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6-05-2007 @ 3:22PM
Harry said...
Wait a minute, that picture reminds me of Venom from Spiderman 3.
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6-05-2007 @ 3:22PM
vacelts said...
I'll be watching Rescue Me, Hidden Palms, Studio 60 and a few others.
http://redlightnaps.wordpress.com/2007/06/01/summer-tv/
I'll be also catching up on some reruns for shows I missed during the year. My DVR can only handle some much.
http://redlightnaps.wordpress.com/2007/06/02/tv-repeats-worth-catching/
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6-05-2007 @ 3:23PM
Gig said...
#3 The problem is that everyone in LA and NY, especially those in the entertainment business DOES think that everyone in the flyover states is stupid.
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6-05-2007 @ 3:23PM
kel said...
#6, You're right. aren't stereotypes stupid?
(but isn't irony grand?)
re: Rescue Me poster -creepy as hell. Reminds me of a NIN video. Can't wait for "...Philadelphia!" Where's the PR for this show?
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6-05-2007 @ 1:07PM
Richard Ott said...
What I'm watching this Summer? National Bingo Night on
ABC. I've been playing since last week, and this show
could be my ticket to a $10,000 K-Mart Shopping Spree
in the Red Card game. Red is my favorite color, too.
What would I get if I won $10,000 or $50,000? I'd have
a big dinner at the ABC Studios in New York with every
celebrity from the network that was present at the time,
and then see a live taping of National Bingo Night at the
Radio City Music Hall after that. That's if I won $50,000
in the Blue Card game. For 10,000. I'd buy half the video
games and game systems that was in the store, then go
on a giant flea market shopping spree on the side for
early 80's video game memorabelia.
RICK.
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6-05-2007 @ 3:25PM
Darren said...
What about BIG BROTHER - 30 Days to go!
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6-05-2007 @ 3:25PM
Michael said...
Hell's Kitchen = Best show on TV during the summer without a doubt.
TV Squad, start reviewing this show now! Or don't but you loss.
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6-05-2007 @ 3:25PM
Rob said...
#3, #6, & #7,...
You know,.. it says a lot that "flyover states" are exactly that,.. places where most people wouldn't want to land.
Speaks volumes about public perception of middle America.
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6-05-2007 @ 3:38PM
carolinemorgan said...
HELL’S KITCHEN
THE CLOSER
BIG LOVE
HEARTLAND
BIG BROTHER
EUREKA
DAMAGES
HIDDEN PALMS
TOP CHEF
RESCUE ME
SAVING GRACE
THE STARTER WIFE
STUDIO 60
BURN NOTICE
FLASH GORDON
DOCTOR WHO
PSYCH
HEX
SIDE ORDER OF LIFE
STATE OF MIND
ARMY WIVES
JOHN FROM CINCINNATI
FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS
THE 4400
TORCHWOOD
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6-05-2007 @ 5:40PM
mikecanada said...
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is now airing in the fall
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6-05-2007 @ 6:38PM
Mary said...
What? It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia is postponed till the fall??! Noooooooo!
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6-05-2007 @ 6:39PM
Kevinc said...
Stop trying to get people to watch the horrible Studio 60. Enough already it's CANCELED!!!
Don't like the Pez Dispenser pic of Leary.
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6-05-2007 @ 11:08PM
segsig said...
The stupid flyover states actually had Studio 60 on at a better time 9PM and therefor had better ratings than the coasts.
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6-05-2007 @ 11:08PM
Jaymez said...
My list of must watch shows this summer.
Mythbusters.
Modern Marvels.
How It's Made.
Deadliest Catch.
Dirty Jobs.
Unless I've already seen the episodes. Then, TV OFF!
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6-06-2007 @ 1:23PM
Jazza said...
It's Always Sunny, has been announced for DVD on 9/4 according to the Digital Bits
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6-17-2007 @ 10:38PM
DeadC said...
Yep, I can see that somebody already posted something about "It's Always Sunny.." being on DVD. I tried to enter the SUPERFAN contest and was denied from entering so I sent my videos to the cast members and have gotten incredible responses from both Glenn Howerton and Charlie Day's wife, Mary Elizabeth, who plays the coffee shop girl on the show. Glenn even told me that he sent it to the writers and they loved it.
I haven't heard back from them in a while, because I think I freaked them out with some crazy shit I was saying, but they've been really cool. It's definitely so good that I was afraid it was going to be cancelled.
-MonsterFresh.com
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