[IMG:L]The anti-High School Musical? A way cooler King of the Hill? Suprisingly, summer’s cookin’ up 10 new shows that look very appealing …
When and Where? May 12 on Bravo
Who’s in It? Teresa Giudice, Jacqueline Laurita, Dina Manzo, Danielle Staub, Caroline Manzo
Why It’s a Must: Normally a new season of Bravo’s Real Housewives series would barely register as a blip on the must-see radar, as memories of the Orange County versions all kind of blur together, and Atlanta, likewise, never quite hit its stride. However, the superb ridiculousness from The Real Housewives of New York City has clearly sailed over the Hudson River into Jersey, and all indications are that we’re in for a guilty-pleasure treat. It brings back memories of those Sopranos scenes where Carmela and Rosalie Aprile sat around the table, drank coffee and lamented their various dramatic circumstances.
KEEP READING: The Anti-High School Musical
[PAGEBREAK]
When and Where? May 19 on FOX
Who’s in It? Matthew Morrison, Jessalyn Gilsig, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Jayma Mays, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Mark Salling
Why It’s a Must: From the creator of Nip/Tuck comes this new musical comedy set in a high school. Yes, that Nip/Tuck — the most twisted, depraved, yet deliciously addictive hour of television in history. Regardless, it’s safe to get the kids into Glee, which follows the resurrection of McKinley High’s once-dominant glee club.
[PAGEBREAK]
When and Where? May 26 on FOX
Who’s in It? Chris Vance, Derek Webster, Annabella Sciorra, Jacqueline McKenzie, Marisa Ramirez, Nicholas Gonzalez, Edwin Hodge
Why It’s a Must: This new series is described as a medical-mystery drama and features Dr. Jack Gallagher (Vance) as an unorthodox psychiatrist who takes on patients with misunderstood and often misdiagnosed conditions. The show also chronicles the romantic and personal sagas of Gallagher’s staff. OK, so it sounds very much like House, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Relying on the psychiatric more than the medical just might be enough to set it apart.
KEEP READING: From the Creator of Beavis and Butt-head Comes …
[PAGEBREAK]
When and Where? May 27 on ABC
Who’s in It? Nancy Carell, Linda Cardellini, David Herman, Mike Judge, Brian Doyle Murray
Why It’s a Must: Between Office Space, King of the Hill and Beavis and Butt-head, we’ve gotten a good enough glimpse into the mind of Mike Judge to know that it’s worth paying attention to whatever’s coming next. The Goode Family, a new animated half-hour series, centers on an obsessively green, eco-conscious family that tries its hardest to do right by everyone and everything they encounter. It’s a far cry from the Hill family — in fact, the furthest possible cry — so expect the series to be funny and fresh.
KEEP READING: Conan Finally Replaces Jay
[PAGEBREAK]
The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien
When and Where? June 1 on NBC
Who’s in It? Conan O’Brien
Why It’s a Must: He got his first laugh as the host of Late Night in 1993, and Conan’s been on a meteoric rise ever since. Whether it’s the Emmys, SNL, The Simpsons or his own gig, he’s proven there is no stage too big for his brand of offbeat humor. Though he may have to broaden the scope of his comedy for the earlier time slot, it’s safe to bet that 2009 will be the first of many, many years with the goofy redhead at the helm of the famed TV institution that is The Tonight Show.
KEEP READING: Out of a New Jersey Kitchen, Into an NYC Hospital
[PAGEBREAK]
When and Where? June 8 on Showtime
Who’s in It? Edie Falco, Paul Schulze, Peter Facinelli, Merritt Wever, Haaz Sleiman, Eve Best, Anna Deavere Smith
Why It’s a Must: Marking Falco’s return to the small screen, Nurse Jackie is the latest addition to Showtime’s packed catalog of dramas. The series takes her out of the suburban New Jersey kitchen and into a set of scrubs as a nurse at All Saints Hospital in New York City. With plenty of doctors and surgeons grabbing the television spotlight over the years, it will be nice to see a hospital drama through the eyes of a nurse for once, but it isn’t the only drama of its kind coming our way …
KEEP READING: The Other New Series About a Nurse
[PAGEBREAK]
When and Where? June 16 on TNT
Who’s in It? Jada Pinkett Smith, Michael Vartan, David Julian Hirsh, Suleka Mathew, Christina Moore, Hannah Hodson
Why It’s a Must: Its slogan is “We Know Drama,” but TNT’s marketing folks may want to consider something along the lines of “We Know Women.” As for the network’s badass, strong-willed female superstars, first there was Kyra Sedgwick‘s Brenda (The Closer), then Holly Hunter‘s Grace (Saving Grace), and now Pinkett Smith gets to run with the torch as Christina Hawthorne, the director of nursing at Richmond Trinity Hospital. An apathetic hospital administration, egotistical doctors, a full slate of patients and single motherhood are among the many challenges facing Christina.
KEEP READING: Camelot Comes to NBC
[PAGEBREAK]
When and Where? June 21 on NBC
Who’s in It? Colin Morgan, Bradley James, Richard Wilson, Anthony Head, Angel Coulby, Katie McGrath, John Hurt
Why It’s a Must: Bringing with it an unusual genre for primetime, Merlin is set to take viewers all the way back to Camelot for a brand-new version of the Old World tale. The series centers on a young Merlin (Morgan) and Arthur (James) as they begin their journey toward becoming timeless legends.
KEEP READING: Neve Campbell Finally Returns to TV
[PAGEBREAK]
When and Where? June 24 on NBC
Who’s in It? James Purefoy, Jesse Martin, Neve Campbell, Michael Kenneth Williams, Lindy Booth, Krista Allen
Why It’s a Must: Teddy Rist’s fortune is in the billions. He loves everything there is to love about making money and spending it on his luxurious lifestyle … Some shows might stop there, simply detailing the ventures of one of the world’s richest men, but The Philanthropist is one with a conscience. Teddy has the same attitudes toward charity that he does towards his cutthroat business practices; he will stop at nothing to get the job done. Watch as he travels the globe, like a blend of Oprah and Jack Bauer, infiltrating hostile territories and blackmailing corrupt world leaders all for a good cause: to right the wrongs that are haunting the Earth.
KEEP READING: The Title Says It All …
[PAGEBREAK]
When and Where? June 28 on HBO
Who’s in It? Thomas Jane, Anne Heche, Jane Adams
Why It’s a Must: There’s a large shroud of secrecy still surrounding HBO’s latest project, Hung, but we can say with certainty that it is not a biopic of the past American Idol contestant, William. Nope, instead of “She Bangs,” it appears as if we’re in for a heaping helping of “he bangs.” Ray is a high-school teacher who’s fallen on hard times. His money is running dry ,and his wife left him for her dermatologist. With few places to turn to, Ray has an epiphany after a series of self-help classes — the new plan is to stop playing by the rules and to let his biggest asset do the talking from now on (think Boogie Nights).
More:
2009 SUMMER TV PREVIEW
What’s Next on Your 10 Favorite Returning Shows
7 Best Nights on the Couch | Tonight Show With Conan O’Brien: The Ultimate Wish List
