by kellie abrahamson kabrahamson1@aol.com
The regular season is long gone, the network upfronts have passed and those who lost a beloved show (like, say, Veronica Mars) are beginning to heal. That means it’s time to take a look at the most promising shows taking to the airwaves during the lazy days of summer.
There’s something about this bizarre surfing series that has me intrigued. Perhaps it’s the fact that every character is completely bonkers. Or maybe it’s because it’s from the guy who gave us Deadwood. Or maybe it’s because Dylan McKay is on it. In any case, John from Cincinnati is getting a lot of positive buzz from TV critics and is worth checking out. Track down the first two episodes ASAP and be sure to tune in this Sunday at 9 pm.
New Zealand folk/pop/comedy duo The Flight of the Conchords brings their quirky humor to the States with this new series, which follows the band as they attempt to make it in New York City. The series premiered last Sunday and got mixed reviews around the EU office. Still, the series has potential, so it may be worth giving a second chance. Give it a try this Sunday at 10:30 pm.
Also premiering for the first time last Sunday was Meadowlands, a new British drama about a family who’s in the witness protection program. Unlike the CW’s failed series, Runaway, which had a similar premise but was canned after three episodes, this one’s actually worth watching. Check out the first episode online at sho.com/meadowlands and watch new episodes on Sundays at 10 pm.
According to the commercial for USA’s latest drama, “When spies get fired, they don’t get a letter from human resources…They get BURNED.” Apparently, that is exactly what happens to agent Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) and he wants to know why. Burn Notice certainly doesn’t sound like the most interesting show of the summer, but it’s hard not to be curious about a show featuring Bruce Campbell as a CIA Agent. Satisfy your curiosity when the show premieres on June 28th at 10 pm.
If you’re a fan of the improvised comedy stylings of Reno 911!, this series about a dysfunctional group of mechanics may just be right up your alley. Expect plenty of laughs from this promising new comedy. The official premiere is July 8th at 10:30 pm, but you can catch a free sneak peek of the series on July 1st on apple.com/itunes.
Admittedly, I had no desire to see this show until I caught comedienne Chelsea Handler promoting it on Jay Leno. Her daring, tell-it-like-it-is take on celebrity gossip had me hooked from the start. Anyone who secretly (or not so secretly) enjoys reading about train wrecks like Britney, Lindsay and Paris in trashy gossip rags should gobble up Chelsea Lately. The late-night show will air weeknights beginning July 16th. Keep an eye on eonline.com for more details.
A couple years back when the Oscar-winning actress had a 13 episode stint on The Shield, we learned that Glenn Close and FX are a great combination. They try their luck again this summer with Damages, a legal drama about the difficult choices lawyers must make when struggling to balance their professional and personal lives. The commercials, which air pretty much constantly on the network, look pretty good. Find out if the show lives up to the hype on July 24th at 10 pm.
Cashing in on the recent superhero explosion is Sci-Fi’s latest effort Flash Gordon, starring (ironically) Smallville’s Eric Johnson. The live action series based on the comic strip has fans of the character on pins and needles in anticipation. The rest of us will find out what all the fuss is about when the show premieres on August 10th.
I have an immediate aversion to anything that reminds me of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, but because Mulder, I mean, David Duchovny stars in this new Showtime comedy, I may just check it out. Duchovny plays a depraved novelist balancing addictions, creativity and family. Sounds like a hoot, no? We’ll find out on August 13th.
You love them; you missed them, now here they are! Here’s a list of some of the best returning shows premiering this summer.
(HBO- Mondays at 9 pm)
(TNT- Mondays at 9 pm)
(Bravo- Tuesdays at 10 pm)
(FX- Wednesday at 10 pm)
(USA- Sundays at 9 pm)
(HBO- Sundays at 10 pm)
(USA- Sundays at 10 pm)
(USA - Premieres July 13)
(USA - Premieres July 13)
(Showtime - Premieres August 13)
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EU Critic’s Choice Awards
