Summer Preview: The Nice Girls Make a Date With Summer TV

It used to be that summer TV was a draught of reruns with the occasional awards show or holiday concert to break up the monotony. Not any more ! As the cable nets present more original programming and even the traditional networks start focusing on year ’round scheduling, summer TV is looking rich indeed. Here are the shows the Nice Girls are looking forward to this summer.

Royal Pains - June 4 on USA

ROYAL PAINS
Royal Pains just might be Mark Feuerstein’s breakout role, after years of other promising attempts. I’ll admit it, I have a soft spot for the guy, but bland network sitcoms weren’t doing him any favors. Now he’s trying his hand at quirkier cable fare that could finally make him a household name. Feuerstein stars as Hank, an up-and-coming New York doctor who loses everything fighting for the life of a patient. He takes off to the Hamptons with his younger brother Evan in what’s supposed to be a weekend of wallowing in self pity – in the lap of luxury. After making a dramatic medical rescue at a party, Hank inadvertently finds himself the Hamptons’ hottest new doctor-on-demand as his MacGuyver-ish medical skills wow the denizens of New York’s most elite summer retreat. Royal Pains premieres Thursday, June 4 at 10/9C on USA Network. -Melissa

Burn Notice - June 4 on USA

BURN NOTICE
Burn Notice returns this summer for a third season. This time, Michael Weston learns how to deal without the “protection” he has had since getting burned. He’ll have to deal with the police now that he’s on their radar, and the police are not going to make things easy for Michael, Sam and Fiona. We’ll learn more about their past lives, and they will all be dealing with some pretty interesting characters and situations that we haven’t seen in the first two seasons. I can’t wait to meet police detective Paxton, played by Moon Bloodgood, who looks like she’ll be giving  Michael a lot of headaches. Burn Notice returns June 4 on USA Network, in a new time slot – 9/8 p.m. Central. -BethAnne

The Listener - June 4 on NBC

THE LISTENER
This Canadian import centers on Toby Logan, a 25-year-old paramedic who has a big secret – he’s a telepath. Until now, Toby kept his ability hidden, exploring its possibilities only with his long time mentor and confidant, Dr. Ray Mercer. The Listener follows Toby as he tries to help people in crisis, and in the process, unravel the truth about his past. While his professional life is in check, Toby’s personal life could use its own rescue. And with the help of Detective Charlie Marks and his E.R. doctor/ex-girlfriend Olivia Fawcett, Toby realizes his gift can help others. I’m a sucker for these shows. The Listener premieres on NBC Thursday, June 4 at 10/9c. -BethAnne

Weeds - June 8 on Showtime

WEEDS
Back for another season of high-jinks, Nancy Botwin and her family have returned to the San Diego area and are still trying to handle Nancy’s Mexican drug lord of a boyfriend.  Between the baby that may be his and his desire to punish her for ratting out his business dealings, the show will continue to push the envelope.  And from Doug working with Silas in growing, to Andy spending time with Nancy’s  sister (Jennifer Jason Lee) to protect Shane, and Celia being held capture by Mexican gangsters, the season, as usual, will take all of us on a ride towards another cliffhanger. Weeds season 5 premieres Monday, June 8 at 10/9c on Showtime. -Louise

True Blood - June 14 on HBO

TRUE BLOOD
HBO’s hit vampire soap opera returns for a second season with more supernatural goings on in rural Louisiana. This season will also see telepathic waitress Sookie Stackhouse and her vampire lover Bill Compton road trip to Dallas on official vampire business. Hunky Viking Eric Northman gets more screentime, at least judging by the previews, which should make a lot of female fans happy. Plus Jason Stackhouse joins an anti-vampire church (cult?), shifter Sam Merlotte deals with a mysterious woman from his past, and trainwreck Tara Thornton tries to put her life back together. All of that, and we meet the Queen of Louisiana. Can’t wait! True Blood premieres Sunday, June 14 at 10/9c on HBO. -Melissa

Hawthorne - June 16 on TNT

HAWTHORNE
Jada Pinkett Smith – better known for her film work in The Matrix –  is the latest talented actress to join TNT’s line-up of strong, complex female characters, following in the footsteps of Kyra Sedgwick on The Closer and Holly Hunter of Saving Grace. This summer, Pinkett Smith executive-produces and stars in Hawthorne, a character-driven drama series about a nurse who is a true everyday hero. This show would fit in well with NiceGirlsTV and our cadre of female-centric shows. I’m curious about the Hawthorne and I like Jada Pinkett Smith, so I’ll be watching. Hawthorne premieres June 16 at 9/8c on TNT.  –BethAnne

Merlin - June 21 on NBC

MERLIN
Merlin brings to life a new legend for a modern audience. This exciting, hour-long fantasy series set in the mythic city of Camelot — but is inspired by 21st Century storytelling. Before Merlin and Arthur became legends, they were ambitious young men looking for adventure, hoping to live up to their family’s expectations, discovering love and finding their own true destiny, making mistakes along the way. The innovative, action-packed drama has cross-generational appeal and paints a picture of Merlin and Arthur’s early life that audiences have never witnessed before. Anthony Head, Richard Wilson, Angel Coulby and Katie McGrath also star. This is right up my alley. I’m a sucker for legends and myths. And a favorite face will be appearing! Alexander Siddig (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Syriana, Kingdom of Heaven) will guest star in one episode. Merlin comes to our summertime lineup June 21st on NBC. -BethAnne

Eureka - July 10 on SciFi

EUREKA
Eureka is a high tech community, located somewhere in the Pacific Northwest and inhabited entirely by brilliant scientists working on new scientific advancements for the United States government that frequently go disastrously awry. The town’s existence and location are closely guarded secrets. Despite not being a genius like most members of the town, Sheriff Jack Carter’s ability to connect to others repeatedly saves Eureka, and indeed the entire world, from one would-be disaster after another. I may be the only Nice Girl watching this, but I think everyone should. It’s very entertaining and sometimes sad. Join the quirky citizens of Eureka when the show returns July 10 at 9/8c on Sci Fi. -BethAnne

Leverage - July 16 on TNT

LEVERAGE
Our favorite band of thieves will be back again this summer for more heists, but under what circumstances?  When we last left our merry band of criminals, they had all separated to go their own ways.  However, it won’t be long before they are all reunited to pull off even bigger scams on people looking to screw over the little guy. Star Timothy Hutton says his character is “out for revenge” this season, ready to crush those who deserve to be taken down. Look out, bad guys! Leverage returns on TNT July 15 at 9/8c. -Louise

Psych - Summer on USA

PSYCH
It’s the return of Shawn & Gus! My favorite psychic detective and his reluctant but faithful sidekick are back for a fourth season of solving crimes despite their best efforts. This season promises to be another wild ride with guest stars like Christine Baranski and Carey Elwes, and storylines involving Bollywood, the Wild West, and an exorcism. Plus Shawn gets shot and dumped in a car. Say what?!? If you’re looking for more PSYCH goodness, check out the writers on Twitter! PSYCH returns Fridays this summer on USA Network. -Melissa

Mad Men - Summer on AMC

MAD MEN
The advertising agents of Sterling Cooper are back for a third season of drama.  This time, the British company that helped saved them at the end of last season will still be around in the form of a new character, Lance Pryce (played by Jared Harris, from Fringe), who is the new man with the purse strings.  Who knows what will become of everyone after Don Draper disappeared or what social upheaval will affect the advertisers. Mad Men returns to AMC in August. -Louise