Don’t tell us there’s nothing good on TV this summer.
This season’s crop of TV offerings has already delivered premieres of tried-and-true favorites like “So You Think You Can Dance,” “The Bachelorette” and “America’s Got Talent.”
Not impressed? Thankfully, we can look forward to many more debuts in upcoming weeks, spanning everything from cheesy reality shows to serious dramas.
To help finalize your viewing schedule, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations from Ledger-Enquirer staffers with diverse TV preferences.
“TRUE BLOOD” (9 p.m. June 26 on HBO): If you’ve been anxious to find out what’s going on in your favorite vampire-laden town of Bon Temps, La., calm your nerves. Season four of the steamy monster drama returns this month. In addition to vampires, shapeshifters, werewolves and fairies, this season brings witches into the mix. And if the teaser trailers are any indication, we can also expect a whole lot of shirtless vampire Eric (Alexander Skarsgard). Thank you, Alan Ball.
Other choice cable dramas premiering this summer: “Burn Notice” (season 5, 9 p.m. June 23 on USA), “The Big C” (season 2, 10:30 p.m. June 27 on Showtime), “Weeds” (season 7, 10 p.m. June 27 on Showtime) and “Breaking Bad” (season 4, 10 p.m. July 17 on AMC)
— Katie McCarthy
“THE GLEE PROJECT” (9 p.m. June 12 on Oxygen): Missing McKinley High and the New Directions already? Check out this new reality series, where 12 contestants vie for a guest spot on Fox’s musical dramedy, “Glee.” Expect a range of personalities, like Samuel, the rock star and hopeless romantic, or Ellis, a self-described outcast with a big voice. The winning contestant will need to have a triple-threat combination of dancing, singing and acting talents. The ability to dodge a slushie might be a plus as well.
— Sara Pauff
“PRETTY LITTLE LIARS” (8 p.m. June 14 on ABC Family): So you missed the entire first season of this teen drama series. Big deal. You just need to know one question: “Who is A?” Congratulations, you’re all caught up on the mystery.
Embarrassing confession: I’m also excited for season debuts from many of the reality TV world’s guiltiest pleasures. Chief among my picks? “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” (10 p.m. June 12 on E!) and “Big Brother” (9 p.m. July 7 on CBS). Go ahead and judge. I deserve it.
— Sonya Sorich
“GENE SIMMONS FAMILY JEWELS” (10 p.m. June 14 on A&E): I’m not the biggest KISS fan in the world, but I love watching Simmons being made fun of by Shannon Tweed, his live-in girlfriend of more than 20 years, and their two children, Nick and Sophie. I sometimes find it so funny I can hardly breathe.
Others I’m looking forward to are “Rocco’s Dinner Party,” where chefs create dinners to be judged by Rocco DiSpirito and his hand-picked guests (11 p.m. June 15 on Bravo). My favorite Hobbit, Elijah Wood, stars in “Wilfred.” Wood plays an introvert whose best friend is his neighbor’s dog (10 p.m. June 23 on FX)
— Sandra Okamoto
“LOVE IN THE WILD” (Wednesdays at 10 p.m. on NBC): This summer’s new entry in the reality dating world of television features 10 bachelors and 10 bachelorettes looking for love while attempting to survive in Costa Rica. Adventure and romance go together like a horse and carriage, right? Let’s hope this show has better odds than ABC’s popular “Bachelor”/“Bachelorette” series and viewers get to see love and marriage at the end of this crocodile-ridden journey.
My favorite returning show has to be Larry David’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (10 p.m. July 10 on HBO). The lovable complainer and creator of “Seinfeld” is in Manhattan this season. Guests include Julia Roberts and Michael J. Fox.
— Dawn Minty
