It's summertime and the viewing is … not *all* reality television
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- June
- 1
It’s weird that it makes me feel old to say that I remember when there was nothing on television except re-runs over the summer, that when Beverly Hills 90210 had a mini summer season however many years ago that was, it seemed shocking, yet brilliant (in terms of television programming, that is).
Now, some of my favorite shows have been summer season fare: The 4400 (now canceled), Kyle XY (we have to wait until January this time, though, for new episodes), Burn Notice (starting July 10, yay!) and Eureka (coming later in the summer, yay redux!) and always a show or two on HBO.
In an extreme case, Rescue Me doesn’t come back until March 22! (Though “10 weekly five-minute ‘minisodes’ ” will air at 10 p.m. Tuesdays starting June 24), USAToday reports.
But thanks to the writer’s strike, many shows (Entourage, Big Love) have been pushed back to the fall or even winter. But thanks to USATODAY.com, I have this handy-dandy guide to the summer season for you. It’s not comprehensive, but it hits the highlights of both scripted and so-called reality programming:
Week of June 1
Sunday
Million Dollar Password, 8 p.m., CBS. Hosted by Regis Philbin and celebs include Rosie, Betty White, Rachael Ray and Neil Patrick Harris. Wasn’t Betty White on the original?
Bridezillas, 9 p.m., WE. I’ve heard commercials where it’s claimed that the brides’ families begin fighting back against their spoiled rotten princesses.
The Next Food Network Star, 10 p.m., Food. Season 4.
In Plain Sight, 10 p.m., USA. See this post.
Monday
The Mole, 10 p.m., ABC. Is this show still on?
Legally Blonde, the Musical: The Search for Elle Woods, 10 p.m., MTV. Desperately seeking the star of the new Broadway musical.
Tuesday
30 Days, 10 p.m., FX. Season 3. The man who brought us Super Size Me brings us, in one of six episodes this season, an avid hunter who has to spend 30 days living with an activist for PETA.
Wednesday
On the Road in America, 9 p.m., Sundance. A 12-part documentary that “follows four young Arabs on a journey across the USA.”
She’s Got the Look, 10 p.m., TVLand. Think of it as America’s Next Top Model for the over-35 set.
Thursday
Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest, 9 p.m., truTV. Idiots on parade.
Come back next weekend for the premiere days and times for next week’s summer series.

















It is a bummer that we have to wait so long for several shows (Rescue Me, Big Love, Entourage), but I am looking forward to Burn Notice and Eureka. There are a couple other great summertime series that will be returning also: The Closer and Saving Grace on TNT (I think both start in July). The Mole (which I always liked) is making a comeback after being off the air for several years now. I am bummed about no 4400 or The Dead Zone this summer though. Thanks for the handy guide to the summer shows Amy!
Oh, and Psyche will be back in July also on USA network as well!