Summer is the time of year traditionally spent outside. People spend their time playing sports, going to the beach and watching baseball games on warm (and often moist) summer nights. But when the heat gets to be too much, and that summer league game drags into the umpteenth inning, its time to come inside, bask in the air conditioning and turn on a favorite TV show. Some who don't watch TV during the summer may ask what's out there, so here is a guide to some summer TV must sees.
Defying Gravity
A great new scifi show on ABC, Defying Gravity features a stellar cast and a compelling storyline. Seven astronauts are sent on a six year voyage across the solar system, however the 'real' mission has yet to begin. Little do they know that tagging along on board the Antares spacecraft is a strange otherworldly being with a different mission in mind. Office Space actor Ron Livingston plays the lead role of Maddox Donner, a pilot haunted by a previous failed mission to Mars. Airs Sunday nights at 10 on ABC.
Psych
Returning for its fourth season, Psych is detective comedy airing on USA. Its two sleuths, Sean and Gus run a 'fake' psychic detective agency. Much of the show's comedy is derived from a combination of farce and witty quips about TV shows and films of the '80s. Great for the sheer campiness of its premise, very heartwarming and cute. Dulé Hill of West Wing fame plays the role of Gus, Sean's neurotic and uptight best friend and side kick. Maggie Lawson (oh so sexy!) plays Sean's love interest Santa Barbara police detective Juliet O'Hara. Airs Fridays at 9 PM on USA.
Burn Notice
Here's a great little show about spies and spy-craft airing on USA. Just wrapping up its fourth season, Burn Notice stars Jeffrey Donovan as Michael Weston, a spy blacklisted for by the U.S. government. Marooned on the sunny beaches of Miami, Michael is driven to discover the reasons behind his burn notice with the help of his spy friend Sam (Bruce Campbell from Legend of Hercules fame.) and ex girlfriend Fiona (Gabrielle Anwar). The show is an interesting take on the spy genre as Michael narrates the action and in dispels many of the secret agent myths and reveals the dos and dont's of the spy trade. Its like listening to an Espionage for Dummies Book-on-tape. Per usual Bruce Campbell plays the always humorous sidekick and Gabrielle Anwar adds sex appeal. Airs Thursday nights at 8 PM on USA.
Merlin
Here's a transplant from the UK providing a fresh take on the legend of King Arthur's court. It acts as a prequel to the traditional Arthur legend and revolves around Merlin as its main character. Set in the Camelot of Uther Pendragon's day (a deeply anti-magical place it is soon discovered) the show chronicles the upbringing of a young Merlin apprenticed to the court physician Gaius. Merlin must keep his magic hidden for fear of being outed as a warlock and sentenced to death. Practicing in secret he sets out to aid the young Prince Arthur in order to fulfill his destiny as set forth by the Great Dragon (a mystical creature that has been imprisoned in the deepest dungeons of Camelot by Uther). A fun take on the Arthur genre with some standout acting by Anthony Head as Uther (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, anyone?) Airs on Sunday nights at 8 PM on NBC.
Warehouse 13
An interesting new show on SyFy about a top secret government facility housing power and dangerous artifacts from all over the world. Agents Mika Bering (Joan Kelly) and Pete Lattimer (Eddie McClintock) are recruited for their intuition and cold reasoning skills to become the Warehouse's next keepers. Denizens of the warehouse include a video communication device and a electric stun gun invented by Nicolai Tesla. Mika and Pete soon discover that their new assignment is both intriguing and highly dangerous as artifacts can be wily and unpredictable. The chemistry between the two main characters is great--funny and moving, and the addition Allison Scagliotti as Claudia Donovan, the quirky girl genius was a great move. Airs on Tuesday nights at 9 PM on SyFy.
And of course, if you find these shows appealing to the guilty pleasure side of your brain, you can catch up on missed episodes at www.hulu.com
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