Memories of Summer: NiceGirlsTV Style

Everyone has special memories of summer time spent vacationing with family or friends, going to some far-off country where you’ve never been before or even just relaxing at home sitting on the front porch swing. But when you’re a NiceGirl (like me), your summer memories tend to veer more toward all things TV-related.

As TV viewers know, there was a point in time, not that many years ago in fact, where there was very little to watch on TV over the summer except repeats and more repeats. Thankfully with the influx of more and more programing by cable networks; and slowly followed by the major networks jumping on board, there is now a lot of great TV shows for the TV-obsessed viewer to enjoy throughout summer.

One of the best examples of excellent summer programming is what the cable channel USA Network provides to its viewers. The programming on USA is the epitome of what has become known as “blue sky” shows, including Royal Pains, Burn Notice, Necessary Roughness and White Collar. The network also has in its roster Suits, Covert Affairs, Fairly Legal and the new drama Common Law; and not that long ago USA brought one of their most popular shows to date, In Plain Sight, to a close after five successful seasons on the air. Psych, the longest running series on USA, typically ran during the summer, but recently has been pushed to the fall TV season. And in just a few weeks the network will introduce a new 6-episode mini-series called Political Animals that I believe will take the network in a whole new direction.

Then there is TNT, which is making a name for itself, right behind the USA Network, with shows like The Closer, which will be coming to an end later this summer after seven seasons on the air and its spin-off, Major Crimes, which will debut in August. The network also has Leverage, Rizzoli & Isles, and Falling Skies.  Just last week, the network brought Dallas back to life and next month the network will debut the new series Perception.

So much great programming, right, that’s its nearly overwhelming; but that’s not all.

Syfy gives its viewers shows like Eureka, which is in its final season this summer; Warehouse 13, which is the network’s number show as well as Alphas and the Canadian import Lost Girl. The Stephen King-inspired series Haven, until this year, aired over the summer, but will instead be back this fall; but, quite frankly, that just gives viewers something to look forward to, to say the least.

Over on ABC Family, viewers are getting to see another new season of Pretty Little Liars and Jane By Design as well as the brand new dramedy Bunheads. A&E is even in the game with The Glades and the new Longmire. Lifetime gives us the popular military drama Army Wives and the whimsical world of Drop Dead Diva. Then, of course, there is True Blood and the new drama The Newsroom over on HBO. And, MTV has joined in, as well, with Teen Wolf and the fantastic comedy Awkward.

These aren’t the only programming choices out there, but, for the most part, most of them are the shows I will be watching and enjoying all summer long.

Needless to say, while a lot of other folks are planning family getaways, big trips or fun activities right at home, I – and all the other folks who are TV-obsessed like me – will be thoroughly enjoying what the cable networks have to provide over the summer.

Musician’s Spotlight: This month’s musician spotlight is on Carrie Underwood, who was the winner of the fourth season of American Idol and began making strides in the world of country music very quickly. In the few years since her AI win, she has become a multi-platinum selling recording artist, has won multiple Grammy Awards, is a Grand Ole Opry inductee, a three-time Academy of Country Music and Country Music Association Female Vocalist winner and won back-to-back Academy of Country Music Awards for Entertainer of the Year (2009/2010).

Her debut album “Some Hearts” was released in 2005 and featured her three hit singles “Jesus, Take the Wheel”, “Waste” and “Before He Cheats”. In October of 2007, her second album “Carnival Ride” came out and produced four number one country hits, including “Last Name” and “All-American Girl”.

In November of 2009, her third album “Play On” was released and featured the singles “Cowboy Casanova”, “Temporary Home” and “Undo It”.

Her latest album “Blown Away” was released in May and features the single “Good Girl”.

Carrie Underwood has become the artist with the most top 10 songs on the country chart among solo women of the decade, beating out Faith Hill and Martina McBride for the top spot.

She has also appeared in the box office film Soul Surfer and made guest appearances on How I Met Your Mother.

For more information, visit Carrie Underwood’s website here.