Summer Drought of good programming

[ganthc]

Here we have the malaise days of summer TV programming. Now that "Traveler" is done, and the CW has pulled "Hidden Palms," "Veronica Mars," and "OTH" is not playing, I am facing a huge lineup of sh**ty reality TV shows. I'm SOOOOOOO happy that Beauty and the Geek has taken such a lofty spot in the Tuesday lineup.

I guess I will have to turn to TV shows on DVD to get my entertainment. I mean, I don't even have sports to really watch during this time. *sigh*

[limacharliewhiskey]

I've found this summer's programming to be busier than last, watching more basic cable shows, especially ones that I've read good things about.

New & current shows I'm following:
Eureka (Sci-Fi)
4400 (USA)
The Closer (TNT)
Heartland (TNT)
Saving Grace (TNT)
Damages (premieres tonight on FX)

Older stuff that I'm watching for the first time:
Planet Earth (Discovery & Animal Planet)
From the Earth to the Moon (Science Channel)
Robin Hood (BBC America)

I've been meaning to add Rescue Me to my viewing list, but am trying to find when they're starting reruns of Season 1.

But I agree, the stuff on network TV is crap during the summer. Doesn't even look like Fox will start their series in early August like they have in previous years.

[ganthc]

Yeah, I do like The Closer a lot! But that's just one show on Tuesday, and limits the "lineup" I used to have. I do like The Dead Zone, Psych, and Monk on USA, but they aren't HD, so that kinda sucks. Is 4400 good? I haven't tried that. I also might look into Burn Notice. It's getting good reviews. Maybe USA Network will be my saving grace. Still, the networks are failing like you pointed out.

[Reaver]

I haven't watched anything seriously since the hiatus began. I usually watch shows like The 4400 and Dead Zone on DVD, so I've given those a miss until they come out. I did record Mad Men, which I haven't watced yet, and I'm planning on checking out Damaged. Other than that, I'm just waiting for shows to start this Fall. I've kind of enjoyed the break.

[skywalking_sith]

I don't really watch a whole lot of tv anymore...most of it is garbage...I do buy a lot of tv box sets, so that's good enough for me...a few more shows and I won't even need to watch tv at all...

[limacharliewhiskey]

Originally Posted by ganthc

Yeah, I do like The Closer a lot! But that's just one show on Tuesday, and limits the "lineup" I used to have. I do like The Dead Zone, Psych, and Monk on USA, but they aren't HD, so that kinda sucks. Is 4400 good? I haven't tried that. I also might look into Burn Notice. It's getting good reviews. Maybe USA Network will be my saving grace. Still, the networks are failing like you pointed out.

Forgot to put Burn Notice to my list, as I'm really enjoying it. I've been a fan of hottie Gabrielle Anwar, so it's nice to see her getting regular work again. First thing I've seen lead actor Jeffrey Donovan in, proving quite capable in the lead role. Bruce Campbell is an absolute hoot as the sidekick.

The series has a nice blend of comedy, action, and drama in it. I'm digging it and am glad I've been following it.

I've been trying to jump into the Dead Zone and Monk as I've heard good things about them, but haven't sat through a whole episode of either yet.

I enjoy the 4400, but you'd probably want to start from Season 1, with its continuous major story arcs. Good, but not great series, blending the X-Files with the X-Men.

Yeah, I do wish USA, Sci-Fi, and FX had HD channels, like TNT does, but when the show is good and I get sucked into the stories, the video quality doesn't matter as much.

[Reaver]

I probably wouldn't watch anything on TV, either live or on DVR, were it not for my fear of having stuff spoiled for me before they hit DVD. Shows like Lost and Heroes are just too juicy to wait around to watch, and I know places like CNN and Entertainment Weekly would spoil developments.

[ganthc]

Yeah, spoilers are always a problem. I do like catching up on shows via dvd, but the problem is that sometimes the release of the previous season's dvd set is so close to the season premieres for the shows. It's hard to play catchup, and I'm not willing to wait forever on getting the next season without watching it on TV. "24" is another one where waiting is not an option. I did a marathon of 4 seasons before watching Season 5 all the way through.

[Astrakan]

Once this year's hiatus hit I cancelled my cable. I don't watch sports, reality shows or the news, which basically only leaves me with sitcoms and 1-hour dramas. The vast majority of which are released on DVD.

Since I have to wait an entire year for the coming seasons to be released on disc I'll have to suffer through a bit of a drought during that time, but once a year has passed I'll be able to watch the same shows I've been watching in the past - and with no commercials and on my own schedule.

In the meantime I plan on catching up on all those shows I never got around to watching on TV, so I'm not too concerned.

KM

[sub780lime]

I am actually glad there arent too many things on for me to watch. I really need to catch up on movies and it has allowed me to get into Doctor Who.

[Bantam]

One thing I stumbled into during my summer boredom was the Universe, its about the solar system and is really more interesting than i thought it would be.

[mtcarmel00]

"Hell's Kitchen"

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by sub780lime

I am actually glad there arent too many things on for me to watch. I really need to catch up on movies and it has allowed me to get into Doctor Who.

Good point! I do have a lot of movies to get through, and with my dvr basically empty from shows to watch that frees up time for that.

[Bantam]

There's a really good movie on ABC family called Fallen right now...the replay is on now, and Finale starts at 8..

[ganthc]

Originally Posted by Bantam

There's a really good movie on ABC family called Fallen right now...the replay is on now, and Finale starts at 8..

I'll have to check that out. I saw some previews of it, but didn't bother to tivo it. I'll have to see when it's on and if it doesn't interfere with other shows.

[limacharliewhiskey]

Just started watching Kill Point on Spike TV. Pretty good stuff about a bank heist, it's succeeding where ABC's The Nine failed last year. Good cast with Donnie Wahlberg as the lead cop, John Leguizamo as the bad guy, and Tobin Bell as the nosy rich guy.

[sub780lime]

I saw some previews for Fallen and meant to add it to the DVR. Need to do that tonight.

[From a Buick 8]

Originally Posted by mtcarmel00

"Hell's Kitchen"

My only must see show for the summer. I have been watching The Sopranos starting with season 1 this summer. I had not seen that show, but always wanted too. It is very good, half way through season 3 right now.