TVSquad

Television and I don't see much of each other during the summer months, even during this era of year-round original programming. One reason why is, well, it's summer. I spend enough time cooped up in a small cubicle staring at a computer screen that I use summer to stretch my legs a bit. The other most likely reason is that I still have the mentality that there's nothing good on television to watch during the summer. Chalk that up to years of never-ending repeats while I was growing up.

Still, there are a few shows that I will watch on a regular basis, and there are some new outings that look interesting. So, without much fanfare, here is what I'm going to be watching this summer.

1. Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip [Season ends at the end of June] -- Well, I've gone this far so I might as well see it to the end. Really, it isn't a bad show. In fact, take Aaron Sorkin's big head and Sarah Paulson out of it and it's pretty decent. I particularly like Matthew Perry in his role; he has definitely shed his Chandler Bing persona. I just hope that Sorkin doesn't get all preachy on us in the last few episodes.

2. Third series of Doctor Who [premieres July 6th on SciFi] -- I was never a big fan of the older series, but I have really gotten attached to this updated version. At first, I thought that no one could replace Christopher Eccleston as the Doctor, but David Tennant does a pretty decent job. I will miss Billie Piper as Rose; however, I am interested in seeing the relationship between the Doctor and new partner Martha Jones (played by Freema Agyeman).

3. Psych [second season premieres July 13th on USA] -- Shawn and Gus . . . how I've missed you so. Even though I have it as number three on my list, it is the show I am anticipating the most. Not because I review it for this amazingly wonderful website, but because it's just a damn fine production. The program really grew during the last half of the first season with the focus less on the amazing talents of Shawn Spencer and more on the interactions with the rest of his cast.

4. The Bill Engvall Show [premieres July 17th on TBS] -- I'm going to give this one a shot. I enjoy Bill Engvall's comedy and I have a feeling that his show will be similar to the family sitcom Jeff Foxworthy did back in the 90's. Plus, it's a true, honest-to-god, three-camera sitcom. Those are rare in these times and it should be watched through a acid-free polymer bag.

5. My s%$*load of television shows on DVD -- I have Friends, The Simpsons, The Office (UK), Justice League Unlimited, Challenge of the SuperFriends and the original run of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles all waiting to be popped into my DVD player. And, as I say every year I accumulate more of these collections, I'm going to sit down and watch them all. Well, when that happens you'll be the first to know.