Summer programming 2012 – What will you be watching while avoiding the heat?

Since you can get a basic listing of any shows that are coming up just about anywhere these days, I won’t bore you with a listing. Instead, I’m discussing the shows that do not include things like Gordon Ramsey, reality TV, game shows (including those inspirational ones for overweight people), and any soap-opera-type drama (Dallas…really?).

Frankly, I think shows like those mentioned above are insulting to people with half a brain. Yeah, my kids love Wipeout. Of course they do. What is funnier to someone under 15 than people hurting themselves for money? Probably watching their siblings getting hurt for free but I digress. What I am getting at here is I believe those shows are beneath YOU, not just me.

True Blood – (HBO, Sundays, 8pm CST)

True Blood had its fifth season premiere on June 10^th & proved while waiting sucks, being patient does have its rewards. This season has surpassed the previous one with the vampire history alone, not to mention the new additions to the cast. Getting Pam’s back-story is possibly the biggest reward for Truebies since we have learned very little about her & Eric’s relationship in the first four seasons. So far, it’s been totally worth the lengthy wait.

Falling Skies – (TNT, Sundays, 8pm CST)

June 17^th saw the premiere of the second season of this alien invasion apocalyptic series. This season we get a closer look at the aliens and their devious ways. We also see how the survivors are doing and find new people in the group to focus on. Not that anyone is safe on this show….

Anger Management – (FX, Thursdays, 8pm CST)

Charlie Sheen is back with his new series premiering June 28th. Not surprised about this? Me either. Mr. Sheen is a character and way more entertaining than Big Brother. The plot is hilarious if you think about it. Here, I will quote the FX Network website’s About the Show section and save you the trouble of looking it up. “Charlie Sheen stars as “Charlie,” a non-traditional therapist specializing in anger management.” That pretty much sums it up, folks. I will most likely tune in to see if it is a train wreck or if the funny guy is funny once again. Can he play anyone named anything else?

Wilfred – (FX, Thursdays, 9pm CST)

June 28^th on FX is a busy night with the premiere of Charlie Sheen’s as well as Russell Brand’s new shows. (Louie is also coming back on the same night. I’m not that into it but I think he understands.) This Thursday also welcomes back Wilfred for its second season. Elijah Wood plays a character that is out of the actor’s norm but he shines in this role as he has in others. Never thought I would see him as a TV series regular but here he is. As with many of FX’s shows, it pushes the envelope and this one succeeds. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea but if you like perverted one liners and a pot smoking dog, this is the series for you. Give it a shot.

Weeds – (Showtime, Sundays, 9pm CST)

July 1^st marks the beginning of the eighth and final season of the mega-hit (pardon the pun). Last year’s cliffhanger has some fans reeling over what happens next. Though total numbers were down last season while Nancy & company are adjusting to her being out of prison, the almost cult-like following this show has makes me believe this premiere will be the highest rated of the series. I can’t imagine this story ending well which makes for compelling television.

2012 Summer Olympics London – (NBC, July 27^th-August 12^th, various air times)

Friday July 27^th is the Opening Ceremony, which will air as the First Primetime Show of the Olympiad. I only mention this because I find actual athletic competition so much better than most of the current summer television line up offered on network TV. Considering NBC is airing the trials for some Olympic sports every Friday night (other than the fluke of what seems to look like four straight hours of Dateline) until the actual opening ceremony, we should be prepared enough to not miss anything that would normally air on NBC during this timeslot. (Please note the sarcasm.)

Breaking Bad – (AMC, Sundays, 8pm CST)

July 15^th, a Sunday night, has been highly anticipated for quite some time, since the late evening of October 9, 2011 to be more precise. Critics can’t get enough of this show and neither can its rabid fans. What on earth are these guys going to do now? Cook more blue meth, I imagine. And find themselves in a whole crap ton of trouble, again. The premiere picks up right where we last saw Mr. White, shortly after Gus’ face-off (damn with my puns). Since they are dividing the fifth and final season up, we will have to wait until summer 2013 before we find out exactly how our beloved meth kings meet their ends. Will it be worth the wait? The answer is…Have you been watching this show AT ALL?? Of freaking course it will be! That’s church, yo.