[IMG:L]No, summer’s vast lineup of returning series does not consist solely of reality shows (but yes, there are those, too). What if we told you that the best scripted show on TV, period, is set for a summer comeback? Is that something you might be interested in … ?
When and Where? May 21 on FOX
Who’s in It? Cat Deeley, Nigel Lythgoe, Mary Murphy
What to Expect: More Dancing Without the Stars. Becoming quite the summer staple, So You Think You Can Dance? returns to give 20 amateur dancers the chance to make it to the big time.
KEEP READING: Welcome to the Jungle, Z-Listers!
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I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here
When and Where? June 1 on NBC
Who’s in It? Stephen Baldwin, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, John Salley, Sanjaya, Torrie Wilson, Janice Dickinson
What to Expect: We never thought wed have this thought about anything on television, but this show would have been way better with Gov. Rod Blagojevich in the cast. Unfortunately, though, for those hoping to catch a glimpse of his hair getting fluffier as each minute passes in the jungle, it just wasn’t meant to be (according to a federal judge’s decision). We’ll have to make do with the other “superstars headed” for the great outdoors. Gone are the comforts of home as Hollywood’s Z-listers compete in weekly challenges for the most basic of human essentials and, for the winner, a check for the charity of their choice. And no, Spencer, for the last time, the Hulk Hogan Facial Hair Fan Club is not an acceptable charity.
KEEP READING: Sunny Miami Gets Shady for Michael Westen
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When and Where? June 4 on USA
Who’s in It? Jeffrey Donovan, Gabrielle Anwar, Bruce Campbell, Sharon Gless
What to Expect: What better way to kick back and enjoy the summer season than with some serious spy action in beautiful Miami? In last season’s finale, Michael Westen (Donovan) began to receive some much-wanted information about who “burned” him — a spy agency’s version of a firing, which discredits a spy and wipes out his or her identity. Word on season 3 leads us to believe that getting answers is only half the struggle for Westen, who must now deal with a lot of shady characters coming back into his life.
KEEP READING: New Season, New Theme for Brenda
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When and Where? June 8 on TNT
Who’s in It? Kyra Sedgwick, J.K. Simmons, Jon Tenney
What to Expect: Each season of The Closer begins with a theme — a woman alone, partnerships, family and power marked the overarching subject matter of the series’ first four seasons. This time around, Brenda must endure something she is very familiar with at this point: change. We saw Brenda (Sedgwick) deal with an absurd amount of change in season 1 as she got acquainted with her new career, and then again in last season’s finale as she let her guard down and wed longtime friend and colleague Fritz (Tenney). It will be interesting to see what else could possibly be thrown her way when season 5 kicks off.
KEEP READING: Who/What Will Get Smoked This Season?
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When and Where? June 8 on Showtime
Who’s in It? Mary-Louise Parker, Elizabeth Perkins, Kevin Nealon, Justin Kirk, Jennifer Jason Leigh
What to Expect: Things definitely were taken to new heights on the last season of Weeds, and it appears as if a storm on several fronts could be coming to a head when the curtain swings back open. What’s going on with Andy’s (Kirk) impure thoughts toward his former sister-in-law? Is Nancy (Parker) pregnant? How will the arrival of her sister affect the many people surrounding and relying on her at all times?
KEEP READING: Twilight‘s Antithesis Back for More Blood
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When and Where? June 14 on HBO
Who’s in It? Anna Paquin, Evan Rachel Wood, Stephen Moyer, Sam Trammell, Alexander Skarsgard, Ryan Kwanten, Rutina Wesley
What to Expect: HBO needed a major hit to get back in the driver’s seat of cable TV and, in True Blood … well, they kinda sorta got one. While it’s not a pop-culture phenomenon like some of the network’s past hits, True Blood’s viewership steadily increased as its dark and mysterious first season unfolded. The action picks right back up with Sookie (Paquin) having to use her telepathy to help find a missing vampire and, while the serial killer is indeed gone, fans will be happy to learn that a whole new creature is set to make a terrorizing appearance this year.
KEEP READING: Goodbye, Jerry Springer; Hello, Mr. Mariah Carey
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When and Where? June 23 on NBC
Who? Nick Cannon, Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff
In store for this season: Jerry Springer is out and Mr. Mariah is in. Cannon sure doesn’t have a lot in common with Springer — which should tell you that all it takes to be a successful talent-show host these days is a recognizable face and the ability to speak — but the new guy has proven himself to be a capable and fun personality in past TV ventures. Never mind the host — how this season ends up will rely on just one factor: the talent pool. Some will fizzle and some will shine, but here’s hoping that America has its own awesome version of Susan Boyle waiting in the wings.
KEEP READING: Are Things Finally Looking Up for Vince and the Gang?
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When and Where? June 28 on HBO
Who’s in It? Adrian Grenier, Jeremy Piven, Kevin Connolly, Kevin Dillon, Jerry Ferrara
What to Expect: What else is there to say about Entourage at this point? The formula has been set in stone for a couple of seasons now: Vince (Grenier) has trouble finding his next career-advancing project, the crew clashes with Ari (Piven), Eric (Connolly) gets fired, and all the while Turtle (Ferrara) and Drama (Dillon) weave their way through Rodeo Drive like a modern-day Laurel and Hardy … rinse and repeat. It’s all familiar by now, but it still sure is fun. The sixth go-round kicks off with Vince possibly on the verge of landing a Scorsese flick, and this season features a slew of guest stars including Tom Brady, LeBron James, Aaron Sorkin and Lil’ Wayne.
KEEP READING: The Wait Is Finally Over
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When and Where? Aug. 20 on Lifetime
Who’s in It? Heidi Klum, Tim Gunn, Nina Garcia, Michael Kors
What to Expect: It’s been a year of drama for the reality TV favorite Project Runway, and just think, there hasn’t been a new episode since Leanne Marshall was declared the winner last summer. Ownership battles between Bravo, Lifetime and the Weinsteins aside, the fashion-focused series gets cozy in its new summer home for season 6. Other than the action being moved from New York to sunny L.A., fans can expect the same signature flair that Heidi and co. bring to the sketching table.
KEEP READING: The Wait Is Finally Over, Part Deux
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When and Where? August on AMC
Who’s in It? Jon Hamm, Elisabeth Moss, January Jones, Vincent Kartheiser, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery
What to Expect: Much has happened to the characters of critical darling Mad Men in two short seasons. It’s hard to tell because of the slow, cool vibe of it all, but Don (Hamm), Peggy (Moss), Pete (Kartheiser), Betty (Jones), Joan (Hendricks) and others have been through the ringer and back, each in his or her own particular way. If Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner is to be taken at his word, which he very well should be due to his meticulous nature, we can expect season 3 to pick up about two years from the point when Don reaches for Betty’s hand at the end of season 2.
More:
2009 SUMMER TV PREVIEW
10 New Shows You Can’t Miss | 7 Best Nights on the Couch
Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien: The Ultimate Wish List
