Summer TV Overload

There used to be a time when summer TV was a wasteland with little too nothing to watch but lots of repeats or failed shows being burned off; but that was a LONG time ago – thank you to the TV gods!

This summer, like many before, is overflowing with programming options whether its TV shows coming back for a new season, new shows debuting or shows coming to an end as well as made-for-TV movies and a special that will – assuredly – be getting a lot of attention before a certain box office film airs later this year.

Check out our full June TV calendar (that focuses on dramas and movies) – which went live this morning – while you also check out the programming options that I am much excited to see in June.

TAKE ME TO THE MOVIES

Lifetime has been known for their fair share of “Women in Peril” movies, but there are two movies coming in June that will be a bit more romance laced instead of thrill-and-peril laced.

Those movies are:

On June 1, Pride & Prejudice: Atlanta will debut at 8 PM. In a contemporary adaptation of the Jane Austen classic, the movie follows Reverend Bennet, a pastor of a prominent southern Baptist church and his wife Mrs. Bennet, who is the author of a self-help book on how to find the perfect husband. Needless to say, Mrs. Bennet is less than thrilled that all five of their daughters are still single. When the very eligible Will Darcy arrives in town, Mrs. Bennet sets her sights on the handsome bachelor for her daughter Lizzie. The ensemble cast includes Reginald VelJohnson (Family Matters), (Jackée Harry (Sister, Sister), Tiffany Hines (Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart), Raney Branch (Being Mary Jane), Brittney Level (The Purge), Reginae Carter (Growing Up Hip Hop: Atlanta), newcomer Alexia Bailey and Juan Antonio (Empire).

On June 8, Adriana Trigiani’s Very Valentine will debut at 8 PM. Based on a novel, the movie tells story of the Angelini Shoe Company, one of the last family-owned businesses in Greenwich Village that has been making exquisite wedding shoes since 1903, but now teeters on the brink of financial collapse. To save the family business from ruin, Valentine Roncalli (Kelen Coleman from Big Little Lies) – apprentice to and granddaughter of master artisan Teodora Angelini (veteran actress Jacqueline Bisset) – must bring the family’s old-world craftsmanship into the 21st century. Juggling unpredictable love lives, duty to their family, and a design challenge presented by a prestigious department store, Valentine and Teodora are on a quest to build a pair of glorious shoes sure to beat their rivals. Also, in the course of discovering her true artistic voice, Valentine discovers true love as she turns her life and the business upside down in ways she never expected.

Not to be outdone, the Hallmark Channel is airing five “June Weddings” movies throughout the month.

They are as follows:

On June 1, Wedding at Graceland will debut at 9 PM. In the sequel to Christmas at Graceland, Laurel and Clay (Wes Brown and Kellie Pickler) have three weeks to plan their wedding that will take place at Elvis Presley’s celebrated Memphis home. However, when both sets of in-laws, each with vastly different personalities and ideas for the wedding, descend upon Memphis to “help” plan the nuptials, the bride and groom are pushed to the breaking point.

On June 8, Wedding March 5: My Boyfriend’s Back will debut at 9 PM. While planning her first wedding, Annalise (Cindy Busby) is shocked to discover the best man (Tyler Hines) is her ex-boyfriend. Meanwhile, inn owners Olivia and Mick (Josie Bissett and Jack Wagner) both have secret plans in the works.

On June 15, Love, Take Two will debut today at 9 PM. Lily (Heather Hemmens from Roswell, New Mexico) produces a wedding reality show, but her success driven world is flipped when her ex, Scott (Cornelius Smith, Jr. from Scandal), is cast as groom-to-be. Lily must revisit her past if she’s to find her own happily ever after.

On June 22, The Last Bridesmaid will debut at 9 PM. Becca (Rachel Boston) is always a bridesmaid, but at her cousin’s wedding she bonds with Kyle (Paul Campbell), the videographer covering every stage of the planning. Perhaps she won’t be the last woman standing for long.

On June 29, In the Key of Love will debut at 9 PM. Photographer Maggie (Laura Osnes), learns her ex-boyfriend/ex-singing partner (Scott Michael Foster) is in the wedding she is working. Tensions run high until they sing together, remembering how good they were as a duo.

COMING BACK FOR MORE

The following dramas are back in June with new seasons:

Burden of Truth on June 2 at 8 PM on The CW
Luther on BBC America on June 2 at 8 PM
Designated Survivor on Netflix on June 7
Good Witch on June 9 and June 10 at 8 PM (both nights) on the Hallmark Channel
Younger on TV Land (yep, the show didn’t change networks after all) on June 12 at 10 PM
Siren is back with the rest of its second season on Freeform on June 13 at 8 PM
Absentia on Amazon on June 14
Instinct on CBS on June 16 at 9 PM
Yellowstone on the Paramount Network on June 19 at 10 PM

SO LONG, TIL NEXT TIME

After an unexpected interruption for a little over a month – due to the College Cheating Scandal – the popular Hallmark Channel drama When Calls the Heart returned at the beginning of May for the rest of its season, but now it is time for the show to come to an end for another season on June 2 at 9 PM. But fans need not worry as the show will be back for a 7th season.

MOVING TO THE BIG SCREEN

Where were you on January 9, 2011? Were you watching the debut episode of Downton Abbey on PBS? I know I was, and six seasons later the international phenomenon came to an end on March 6, 2016. Now the worldwide sensation will hit the big screen on September 20, reuniting much of the original cast for a visit from the King and Queen of England. But before that big event takes place, a two-hour special presentation entitled Downton Abbey Returns! will debut on PBS on June 2 at 9 PM.

The special will feature new interviews with the cast, writer/creator Julian Fellowes and executive producer Gareth Neame as well as video clips of emotional moments from all six seasons. Included throughout the two-hour special will be never-before-seen, exclusive sneak peeks at the upcoming movie. It should also be noted that Jim Carter – Mr. Carson himself – will be the host of this special.

Make sure to mark your calendars!