by Mara Shapiro
Most people associate summer with beaches, BBQs and reruns. I do too but I also get really excited about summer TV.
Not only is summer the perfect time to catch up on shows I may have missed throughout the year but it’s also a time to meet some new friends. Some of my favorite shows of all time have started out as summer series: So You Think You Can Dance, American Idol, Seinfeld (YUP!), Sex and The City, and the almighty Mad Men.
This summer is no lightweight when it comes to the electronic babysitter. There are several programs that I personally am very excited about (can you tell I’m a child of the 70s? I LOVE TV. In all caps), and several I can do without.
Here are the Summer TV shows that are on my TBR (to be recorded) list, plus a few that I will be avoiding at all costs. This is by no means an exhaustive list, by the way. If you google Summer TV 2013, you will keep finding more and more to watch. But seriously, don’t. It’s summer for goodness sakes. Go outside.
Tuning In:
The Pioneer Woman (The Food Network): Ree Drummond is a blogger, I’m a blogger. Ree likes to cook, I love to cook. Ree has a TV show, I want one. Need I say more?
So You Think You Can Dance and America’s Got Talent: I watch anything with singing or dancing. Don’t judge me.
Mistresses (ABC): I’m one of the few people who still likes network TV. I wasn’t sure about this one, as I was afraid it glorified infidelity. But, I was pleasantly surprised at how the show explores the many complicated facets of relationships.
Under The Dome (CBS): Usually I don’t go for horror or mystery but this one seemed intriguing. From the very first episode’s cow slicing scene, I was hooked. What I really like is that unlike Lost, we’ll find out what happened after 12 episodes (I’m very impatient). Also, one of the male leads is super cute (fingers crossed for shirtless Barbie scenes).
Devious Maids (Lifetime): Seriously, this show is so over-the-top. Although it’s been criticized for perpetuating Latino stereotypes, I feel I must point out that nobody does housework in Stilettos so we’re obviously not supposed to take anything we see seriously. This one is definitely Desperate Housewives for the brain dead. And I’m all in.
Camp (NBC): Rachel Griffiths stars as the Director of a summer camp. I love her, I love summer camp. I’m watching, even though I don’t even know what it’s about (but I’m pretty sure it’s about camp.)
Orange is the New Black (Netflix): This show has a few things going for it; a) it’s based on Piper Kerman’s memoir her year in prison for drug trafficking; b) it’s on Netflix so all the episodes are loaded at once (I’m a binge watcher); and c) I like the name.
Tuning out:
Anything Kardashian, Dance Mom, or Real Housewifey. If I wanted to listen to annoying millenials, I’d hang out with my daughter and her friends. And, these women are neither real, kind, or housewives. I’d rather read a dirty book.
The rest of the glut of reality TV. I just can’t take it anymore. I already have a reality, and at least mine isn’t embarrassing, boring, or being pawned. (My husband, on the other hand, will definitely be tuning in. Call him if you want updates.)
Anything on TNT or the CW mostly because I can’t find those channels on my TV.
Other shows a lot of people are excited for that I probably won’t watch:
All the Sitcoms: They look good, I just can’t be bothered.
The Killing: A crime drama whose storyline is spread out over several episodes (a la 24). I’m bored of cop shows.
Catfish: Everything you wanted to know about online dating and the people who lie about themselves while online dating. I watched with my teenagers. Once. It was enough. But, other people seem to dig it. Give it a shot. Let me know how it goes.
Suits: It looks good, I don’t know why I’m not interested.
Big Brother: I have a Big Brother, plus I grew up in the shadow of Orwell’s 1984. This show never yanked my chain (but neither did Survivor, The Bachelor, or The Amazing Race).
Pretty Little Liars: I feel like I’ve OD’d on the genre after the OC, Gossip Girl, etc.
Dexter, True Blood, Breaking Bad, The Newsroom, et al: I watched, liked, and ran out of time/ lost track of / got confused / lost interest. One day when I’m on bed rest for a mysterious illness, and I have nothing to read, and nothing else to do.
Do you have any top picks for summer TV? Do you even watch TV in the summer?
Mara Shapiro is a social media addict, blogger, and proof that it’s never too late to reinvent yourself. A former marketer and customer experience trainer, she is now a Community Mananger and blogger. a She shares inappropriate slices of life, books and products she loves at beniceorleavethanks.com, and is co-editor of BrazenWoman, a fabulous new lifestyle Blogazine specifically for women over 35 (launching in summer 2013). She has been a featured guest on CJAD Radio Montreal, The Late Shift with Gail Vaz-Oxlade, Bonbon break, Blogher, Huffington Post live, SocialNorth, and CTV News Channel, and has been quoted on Brighterlife.ca, Rogers Redboard, in Today’s Parent, and The Toronto Star. Catch up with Mara on Twitter (@ChickyMara & brazenw