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RSSA Cure for the Summer TV Blues
I am here to prevent you from getting the summer TV blues. Sure the regular TV season is over but there is much to look forward to. Here are the top six TV shows I'm looking forward to during the hot summer months.
1. "Project Runway" (premiering August 20 on Lifetime): It's still months away but I can't wait to see the sixth season. Am I nervous the show won't be the same now that it's a)no longer on Bravo and b) taking place in LA? Yes I am. But I'm thinking good thoughts that Tim Gunn is going to make it work.
2. "HawthoRNe" (premiering June 16 at 9 p.m. on TNT) and "Nurse Jackie" (premiering June 8 on Showtime): Is there room on TV for two shows about nurses? Absolutely. I was already interested in "HawthoRNe" because it stars Jada Pinkett Smith as nurse Christina Hawthorne. But then I learned that the series also stars Michael Vartan as the hospital's chief of surgery. Very happy to see Vartan, or Vaughn as I'll always think of him, back on TV. And the pilot of "Nurse Jackie" is immediately gripping and it is so fun to see Edie Falco and Paul Schulze, Carmela and Father Phil on "The Sopranos," together again.
3. "Army Wives" (premiering June 7 at 10 p.m. on Lifetime): It is my summer guilty pleasure.
4. "Monk" (premiering August 7 at 9 p.m. on USA ): It's the final season which means we are going to learn how Monk's wife died and we'll get to see Sharona (Bitty Schram) one last time.
5. "The Secret Life of the American Teenager" (premiering June 22 at 8 p.m. on ABC Family): Help me. I. Can't. Stop. Watching.
I'll have reviews of these shows when we are closer to the premiere dates. What show or shows are you most looking forward to this summer? Talk about it below.
Also I've received requests from many of you who want a list of when your favorite shows are returning. I've included the premiere dates that have been announced below. If you have other shows you want to know about email me or find me on twitter.
"Burn Notice" (USA) -- June 4
"Army Wives" (Lifetime) -- June 7
"The Closer" (TNT) -- June 8
"Raising the Bar" (TNT) -- June 8
"Weeds" (Showtime) -- June 8
"True Blood" (HBO)-- June 14
"Saving Grace" (TNT)-- June 16
"The Secret Life of the American Teenager" -- June 22
"Eureka" (Sci Fi)- July 10
"Leverage" (TNT)- July 17
"Psych" (USA) -- August 7
"Project Runway" (Lifetime) -- August 20
Question of the Day
The season is over and it's time to reflect on some of the big questions shows faced this season. My first question is this: Did Laurence Fishburne work as a replacement for William Petersen on "CSI." Now that we've had a chance to see quite a few episodes with Dr. Raymond Langston, my thinking is that it's the character not the actor that's the problem. The final scene of the season where Ray shot and killed a man was great -- you could see on Ray's face that he clearly wasn't prepared for this part of the job. But I think the show would have been better served by having a new boss come in and actually also replace the type of character Grissom was. With Riley and Greg, we already have a few characters who are relatively new to the job and learning as they go. Perhaps it would have been better to have Ray come in as an experienced CSI. Plus Ray may be a little too laid back a character for the show. What do you think?
Save These Shows
There's a petition to save "Samantha Who?" You can find it and sign it by clicking here. Oh and you know I've already signed it. It's one of the cancellations I'm most upset about.
And there's still a chance that "Reaper" will be picked up for another season and distributed via syndication. You can find out how to show your support of that idea by clicking here.
Where Have I Seen Them Before?
Melanie noticed that "Without a Trace" offered up quite a few familiar faces for what turned out to be its series finale. Kenneth Mitchell was the missing man. He was Sam Lucas (or as Melanie likes to call him Fake Jim) this season on "Ghost Whisperer" and Eric on "Jericho." Alecia Leigh Willis was his girlfriend. She was Cindi on "The L Word" and Courtney on "General Hospital." Nicholas Brendon, Xander on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," was the man holding him hostage.
Phil recognized Rachel Cronin, who played Shirley on "Ed," was Mary Pat in the finale of "Reaper."
It was a busy week for Lupe Ontiveros. She was the drug lord Marta on "Southland" and Diane recognized her as Ben's grandmother on "Reaper." She was Carlos's mother Juanita on "Desperate Housewives."
Amy Awards
Thanks to everyone for such great suggestions. I love, love, love reading through all your ideas. Just a reminder that you have until Sunday, May 31 at 5 p.m. ET to email me your suggestions for categories for the 2009 Amy Awards. You can talk up your suggestions by posting below but you must email me your suggestion to have your vote counted. Next week, I'll announce the 12 categories for the 2009 Amy Awards and begin the call for nominees. Oh and I've received a few emails wondering what to do about the "none of the above" category. Last year, by popular demand, I added a "none of the above" category so if you didn't like any of the nominees, you didn't have to vote for them. The only problem with that is that "none of the above" won many of the categories. Here's a solution I think might work -- instead of "none of the above," I'll add a "skip this question" choice. That way if you don't like any of the nominees, you don't have to vote in that category and your vote simply won't be counted for that category. How does that sound?
Remember you can now follow me on Twitter.
That's all for today. I'm back on Friday with quotes of the week and a review of the new Lifetime miniseries "Maneater." Don't forget to email me your nominations for the 2009 Amy Awards. Have a question? Seen a familiar face? Want to nominate a quote of the week? Write me at amytvgal@zap2it.com. Talk to you on Friday.
what about a return date for Mad Men?
first
I am so so SO excited for So You Think You Can Dance!!!! Watching the premiere last week...it felt like just yesterday that I last heard Mary scream.
Mad Men will return in August but AMC hasn't announced the exact date yet. I'll let you know as soon as they do!
Well as a long time CSI watcher, I like how Laurence Fishburne had ease into the role of Dr. Raymond Langston I still look as him as being a still in training level as Greg and Riley. And I like how the writers didn't put Langston above them or any of the others. Of course there will never be another Grissom.
Looking forward to the new season and hope the writers don't go recycling a storyline over & over.
I don't like CSI anymore, it's not just that Grissom left. It's just not good anymore. The writing has been awful, it has been officially removed from my Tivo!!
I love Psych, Saving Grace, Eureka & Burn Notice. Summer tv has the better shows!
When's the premiere of that new Mark Feurstein show on USA? I forgot the name -- sorry.
I like Fishburne but I HATE the character of Ray. He's laid back and he's boring. I personally wish they hadn't killed off Keppler Schreiber had chemistry with Helgenberger, plus the character was actually INTERESTING. He would have made a good take charge boss . CSI needed a character written to come in and take charge and shake things up. The character of Ray might (MIGHT) have worked in place of a Riley. With a new character for the boss. Where do I get a job writing for these t.v. series so they get it right?
Thanks so much for linking to the petition for Samantha Who?! I will never understand the way network execs think!! UGH!
It such a good comedy with a strnog cast of women... it's so clear the execs are men!
Mark Feuerstein's new show is Royal Pains and I think I read it's starting on June 4th.