Summer Television 2012

Summer is right around the corner (at least the unofficial start of it -- Memorial Day Weekend, woohoo!) I've looked at summer movies, now it's time to take a gander at the television shows debuting during those hot days of the season that used to be a dead time for TV, but has now become an opportunity to launch new shows and bring back some ratings hits.  Here are the ones that I will likely tune in to watch, or at least DVR.

Alphas (Syfy) - The first season about superpowered mutants was a lot of fun. Let's see if they can keep it up.

America's Got Talent (NBC) - Piers Morgan is out, Howard Stern is in as the new judge of this kitschy competition searching for the next big Vegas act.

Big Brother (CBS) - This is a guilty pleasure that my wife and I enjoy watching. ABC was going to launch a similar show called Glasshouse, but CBS is suing them. You know I'll be blogging about that soon.

Dallas (TNT) - I'm actually really excited to see this relaunch of the once hit TV series. Some of the original stars are back reprising their roles, joined by a new, younger generation of characters. It looks pretty good.

Duets (ABC) - Another singing competition show, this time teaming up celebrities like Kelly Clarkson and Robin Thicke with unknowns.

Falling Skies (TNT) - Steven Spielberg's mega-hyped show Terra Nova failed, but this other science fiction show he executive-produced actually snuck in under the radar and turned out to get not only good ratings but some decent reviews as well. Now it's back for season two.

Hatfields and McCoys (History Channel) - Truth can be stranger than fiction, and this documentary series about the infamous real-life family feud in the Southern U.S. during the 1880s looks like a must-see example of that.

Hell's Kitchen (FOX) - Here's another guilty pleasure for us. Bombastic Gordon Ramsay tries once again to pick a winning new chef from a bunch of competitors.

The Newsroom (HBO) - Aaron Sorkin brings an intriguing new drama to the pay channel that seems to do no wrong. It stars Jeff Daniels as a cable news anchor.

Sherlock (PBS) - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great detective returns for more adventures.

So You Think You Can Dance (FOX) - Forget Dancing with the Stars, our favorite dance competition is SYTYCD.

True Blood (HBO) - The vampires, faeries, and shapeshifters are back with more shocks and thrills.

Weeds (Showtime) - I never watched this show before, but since my wife loves one of the actors, Hunter Parrish, I guess we'll be tuning in.

There are so many more coming our way, fellow boob-tube addicts, but I don't have time to watch them all.  Are you a fan of Breaking Bad, Damages, Boss, The Closer, Louie, Wilfred?  How about Burn Notice, Bachelorette, Food Network Star, Teen Wolf, MasterChef, Pretty Little Liars, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, or Wipeout?  They are all coming back with new seasons during the summer. 

There will even be some new shows that I likely won't watch, but some of you might be interested to see -- Charlie Sheen in Anger Management and the Jersey Shore reality show spinoff Snooki and JWoww.  Hey, I'm just the messenger.