Summer TV: What Are You Watching?

One way for me to brighten my rainy June: Look ahead to hot summer shows. Here's what I'm most eager to see. What's on your list?

1. Mad Men (season 2 begins July 27 on AMC)

I can't say enough good things about this look at ad men -- and the women who love them -- circa 1960. You'd think a life filled with vices (booze, smokes, steaks, sex) and absent warning labels would bring more joy. But as with everything in this show, it's not that simple. I'm currently tearing through season 1 from Amazon Unbox (it'll hit DVD on July 1) and avoiding all the look-aheads to season 2. I love this show so much I don't want it spoiled.

Homework: Hello! Watch season 1. Twice, if you have the time. My TiVo's smoking from all the downloads.

2. The Closer (season four begins July 14 on TNT)

I'm not too sure about seeing interrogator extraordinaire Brenda Leigh Johnson in wedding mode, but I trust this show and Kyra Sedgwick to do with big dresses, wacky in-laws and the like what they've done with the detective stuff: Make it real, different and surprising. "Thank yew, thank yew verrry much."

Homework: Check out the last two episodes of season three, from December ("Next of Kin" parts 1 and 2).

3. My Life on the D-List (season four begins June 12 on Bravo

What can I say? Kathy Griffin just makes me laugh, even when events in her life take a turn for the heart-breaking. And I admire the way that she's been able to build a D-list empire that supports her and a cadre of assistants and dogs.

Homework: Check out the final episode seven of last season, "Back to My Irish Roots, Literally").

-- Stephanie Reid-Simons, Unbox TV Freak

Comments

[Morjana on June 04, 2008 at 02:29 PM]

Definitely The Closer -- wonderful ensemble cast, interesting story plots, and the romance between Brenda and Fritz has been a joy to watch as it blossoms.

Also watching Stargate Atlantis, Monk and Psych.

[Flap Jackson on June 04, 2008 at 06:30 PM]

The best summer TV will always come from cable, and so far USA has never failed to keep me tuning in. Monk and Psych will always be musts, and they might be the most underrated shows on cable right now.