Shows for Summer

Yes, I know, the summer months are best spent soaking up sun and finding outdoor activities that will be barred during the winter months. It can also be, for those who are unemployed or on school break, a time of malaise and boredom. This mixed with the fact that the best of tv programming is on hiatus can mean some dull summer nights spent watching re-runs of America’s Funniest Home Videos. But fear not, if you’re looking for a new show to get you through the summer months, there is some genuinely good programming on out there, here are some of my favorites:

So You Think You Can Dance (Fox, Wed. 8/7c) : Even if you think you don’t like dance shows, this one is worth a try. The show is structured much like American Idol, beginning with national auditions and whittling contestants down from there, except the people on SYTYCD are actually talented. Each week contestants learn routines in varied dance genres – from Bollywood to contemporary and jazz – and perform for the audience and judges. Each show is a unique mix of dance numbers, some of them mediocre, some truly inspired. Another reason to watch? It has less of the fluff that American Idol has so it’s more time spent watching the routines, less time with cheesy pre-shot numbers.

Huge (ABC Family, Mon. 9/8c): This show just started, but it has a lot of potential. Written by the same talented crew that produced My So Called Life, Huge follows around a group of kids at “fat camp.” From what the first episode has shown, the show tries to stay away from clichés and instead portrays nuanced and varied characters who just happen to be dealing with weight issues and a society largely intolerant of their looks. It hasn’t been on long enough to pass judgment yet, but I’m giving this one the early benefit of the doubt.

Mad Men (AMC, Sun. 10/9c): Back for its fourth season this summer, the hit show Mad Men will return July 25th. For those who are unfamiliar with the show, Mad Men follows advertising man Don Draper, his family, and those he works with, as they navigate the changing cultural climate of the 60’s and 70’s. Fun, sexy, bold and best of all, there are three back seasons to enjoy if you’re not up to speed! This is one of those shows you will live for week to week.

Being Human (BBC America, Sat. 10/9c): This is the second season of the unexpected hit BBC show Being Human. The premise sounds more like a joke than a tv show set-up – a ghost, a werewolf and a vampire move into a house together… -but it’s actually quality programming. The show explores deeper issues of what makes us human, friendship, and how to navigate the different loyalties and prejudices that affect how we interact with others and think about ourselves. The show veers toward the violent and gritty side, but the three main characters have enough quirk and charm to keep the show from being a downer. It also gets bonus points for plenty of British accents. The new season kicks off July 24th and I’m sure they’ll be re-showing the last season before then.    

True Blood (HBO, Sun. 9/8c): Back for its third season, True Blood returns with a force, passion, and strangeness that does the past two seasons proud. Oh, and the man-candy is off the charts. The show follows mind-reading waitress Sookie Stackhouse and the happenings in her hometown of Bontemps after a drink, Trueblood, has made it possible for vampires to survive without preying on humans and thus try to integrate into regular society. Of course, the vampires have customs, regulatory systems and hierarchies of their own and drama ensues as the two species attempt to live together. If you haven’t already jumped on board I suggest you go out and rent the first two seasons. I should warn you, it might take some time to get fully into, but when you do it's bliss.