What I'm Watching This Summer

I'm kind of bummed this summer as there doesn't happen to be a a lot on that I really want to watch.

The scripted front, decimated by the writers strike last winter, seems particularly hard hit and I'm absolutely crushed that we won't get new installments of summer series Damages, Big Love, and Flight of the Conchords, to name but a few. (Hell, I might be the only person who actually misses USA's The 4400, another dependable warm weather series.)

So what will I be watching this summer? Let's take a look.

JUNE

Doctor Who (Sci Fi)
The fourth season of UK import Doctor Who continues this summer (or at least for a few more weeks) as the Doctor travels time and space with new companion Donna Noble (the delightful Catherine Tate). Coming up: look for a brilliant two-parter from fan favorite writer Steven Moffat (with Part One airing this week!) and the resolution to the subplot--one hopes--of the mysterious reappearance of Rose Tyler (Billie Piper) who we last saw trapped in an alternate dimension by the Doctor in order to save her life and those of her parents. Is she tired of Jackie's nagging or is there something far more malevolent going on? (On air)

Kathy Griffin: My Life on the D List (Bravo)
Why is this on the list? Because I'm a glutton for punishment, apparently. But Griffin's can-do attitude in the face of constant adversity (and snarky comments about anyone and everyone) make for great reality television and that's about as "real" as I can get these days. No thank you, Heidi and Spencer, I'm perfectly fine living vicariously through insider/outsider Kathy Griffin. (On air)

Flipping Out (Bravo)
Jeff Lewis and Co. are back for a second season of OCD, tantrums, and Jenny's dancing. I became completely addicted to the exploits of Lewis and his abused staff of house flippers last year on Bravo and have been waiting with bated breath to catch up with them again. Will Lewis still be living at Ben Lomond? Will Jenny still be working for Jeff? And will the Trash Guy have finally earned Jeff's respect? On second thought, don't answer that. (On air)

Weeds (Showtime)
When we last saw Nancy, she was peeling down the street on a Segway after setting her house on fire. So what's up for this suburban pot dealing mom and her family? A change of scenery for one as Nancy, Andy, and the kids leave behind Agrestic for a beach town of Ren Mar on the Mexican border. And, oh, the end of "Little Boxes" as the theme song. (On air)

Secret Diary of a Call Girl (Showtime)
It's Doctor Who's Billie Piper as you've never seen her playing a twenty-something Londoner who keeps her true profession as a high class call girl from her friends and family. It's fluffy, funny, and well just downright fun and it's the perfect way to end your Monday blues. You'll thank me in the morning. (On air)

MI-5 (BBC America)
Another British import, MI-5 (aka Spooks in the UK) is perhaps the most single stressful hour on television each week and yet I can't get enough of their sleek espionage plots. Now airing Season Five (aka the season that former home A&E dumped on a single day and burned off), it's the perfect opportunity to jump in with new characters, compelling plots, and tension aplenty. (On air)

JULY

Burn Notice (USA)
I'm very torn about including this one on my summertime viewing list as I thought that the first season (the little I saw) was a bit of a let down but I'd follow Battlestar Galactica's Tricia Helfer anywhere (she's slated to appear in a multiple-episode arc), so I might just have to tune in to Season Two and catch up on Season One courtesy of an Emmy screener box set. (Launches July 10th)

Mad Men (AMC)
Late to the party? Yeah, but better late than never as some say. Tune in to travel back in time to the world of 1960s advertising firm Sterling Cooper and stay for the cool clothes, characters, and craftsmanship. Will Don rise to the challenge of partnership after Roger Sterling's heart attack? Will Peggy recover from the emotional strain of her pregnancy and new position withing the agency? Mix yourself a martini and find out. (Launches July 27th)

Eureka (Sci Fi)
I'm a little burnt out on Eureka, which I feel really needs to challenge itself to do more than just scientific-disasters-of-the-week and give us some solid character development and story arcs rather than just procedural stories. (For an example on how to do both, just take a look at Bones.) Season Three sees the arrival of Frances Fisher as a corporate Fixer at Global Dynamics. Hmmm, do we think she'll stir things up in the sleepy little town? You betcha. (Launches July 29th)

Project Runway (Bravo)
It's the last season of Project Runway (the series' fifth) before it relocates to its new home on Lifetime and might just be the last season of the reality competition series I watch as I'm not too happy about the changes that the cabler plans to make to the series (also I'm not entirely sure that mass-appeal Lifetime will continue to skew to the same demo that Runway has done so). In any event, join Tim, Heidi, Nina, and Michael for yet another season of catwalks and catfights. Will the next Christian Siriano be among the 15 contestants battling for the top prize? Who knows, but the competition will likely be a little less fierce without the outspoken visionary designer. (Launches July TBA)

AUGUST

Primeval (BBC America)
Coming to BBC America's action/adventure Saturdays is new series Primeval (the digital cabler acquired two seasons of the series) about a group of scientists who investigate time-based anomalies for the British government and the prehistoric and extinct creatures that travel through these rips in the fabric of time and space. For one of the scientists, the mission is personal: Professor Nick Cutter (Douglas Henshall) is in search of his wife Helen who disappeared while investigating one of these anomalies. Will he find her when he realizes there are an infinite number of worlds she may have ended up on? Find out this summer. (Launches August 9th)

What's On Tonight

8 pm: Price is Right Million Dollar Spectacular (CBS); Deal or No Deal (NBC; 8-9:30 pm); America's Next Top Model (CW); Wife Swap (ABC); So You Think You Can Dance (FOX; 8-10 pm)

9 pm: Criminal Minds (CBS); Celebrity Circus (NBC; 9:30-11 pm); Farmer Wants a Wife (CW); Supernanny (ABC)

10 pm: CSI: New York (CBS); Supernanny (ABC)

What I'll Be TiVoing

9 pm: MI-5 on BBC America.

If you missed MI-5 (aka Spooks) when it aired on A&E a few years back, you can catch it tonight on BBC America. On tonight's installment ("The Book"), Adam and the team investigate the murder of a former Home Office agent and the disappearance of a book he was writing that might expose a few government secrets.

10 pm: Top Chef Chicago: Watch What Happens Reunion on Bravo.

The gang from Season Four (and--ugh!--Andy Cohen) reunites one last time to dish dirt about what really went on in the kitchen and answer some viewer questions about the fourth season, bitter rivalries, and why Lisa felt the need to insultingly demand a congratulations from Richard and Stephanie.