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Tuned In! 5 TV Shows To Watch This Summer
When temperatures across the country begin to push 90 and our morning commute starts feeling more like a trek through an Amazonian rainforest, it can only mean one thing: Summer is here! We couldn't be happier; summer is a great time for toes, twos, and television. But if you're reading this and thinking that summer TV is as crappy as winter movies, don't worry—we've got a handful of shows that are sure to make you appreciate the value of shunning healthy living for climate-controlled vegetation. So take off those corny boat shoes, sit down on your couch, and enjoy our Summer TV picks...
UNDERCOVERS
Night: NBC, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. (premiere date TBA)
Cast: Boris Kodjoe, Gugu Mbatha-Raw
Synopsis: When their marriage begins running dry, Steven (Kodjoe) and Samantha Bloom (Mbatha-Raw) decide to come out of retirement and rejoin the CIA. Once back on the job, they quickly learn that nothing revives a boring marriage better than a little espionage and gunplay.
Why we're co-signing: Directed by Lost's J.J. Abrams, Undercovers is a spy drama that's been described as Mr. & Mrs. Smith meets The Bourne Identity. One for two, but we're really just counting on our boy J.J. to not steer us wrong.
LOUIE
Night: FX, Tuesdays at 11 p.m. (premieres June 29)
Cast: Louis C.K.
Synopsis: Each episode of Louie focuses on Louis C.K.'s life as a stand-up comedian and newly single father of two daughters. The comedy is a mix of Louis' stand-up routines and scripted stories.
Why we're co-signing: Ever since we caught Louis C.K's first network program, HBO's Lucky Louie, we haven't been able to get enough of Louis Szekely's self-deprecating, observational humor. We've got big hopes for Louie, not to mention the fact it's premiering on FX should allow for significantly racier material.
RUBICON
Night: AMC, Sunday at 8 p.m. (August 1)
Cast: James Badge Dale, Henry Bromell
Synopsis: A conspiracy thriller based in New York City, Rubicon is about a government intelligence agency riddled with scandal and subterfuge. The series stars Will Travers (Dale), who unwittingly discovers a sinister conspiracy in his office.
Why we're co-signing: From Mad Men to Breaking Bad, AMC keeps coming up strong with sophisticated and edgy programming. Now comes Rubicon, a gritty-looking series with a plot that sounds reminiscent of The Firm. If you ask us, it's a sure thing.
NEIGHBORS FROM HELL
Night: TBS, Monday at 10 p.m. (June 7)
Cast: Molly Shannon, Patton Oswalt, Will Sasso
Synopsis: When a huge global conglomerate, Petromundo, creates a super-drill that can dig deep enough to expose Hell, Satan sends one of his demons to eliminate the problem. The demon, Balthazor (Sasso), is a good-natured hell spawn with an encyclopedic knowledge of the human race thanks to his affinity for classic TV sitcoms.
Why we're co-signing: With a cast that combines some of our favorite SNL and Mad TV members, Neighbors From Hell looks to beef up the ranks of TBS' animated programming. Not to mention, NFH actually has something that most shows can no longer claim: a genuinely funny plot line.
TRUE BLOOD
Night: HBO, Sundays at 9 p.m. (June 13)
Cast: Anna Paquin, Stephen Moyer, Rutina Wesley, Sam Trammell
Synopsis: The finale of Season 2 had the sleepy Louisiana town of Bon Temps plunged into madness by the presence of a mind-controlling sex demon. But the real cliffhanger was the kidnapping of Sookie Stackhouse's (Anna Pacquin) vampire boyfriend, Bill Compton.
Why we're co-signing: Ever since we got hooked on Season 1 of True Blood, we've had the thirst for blood like a motherfucker. The show's appeal is obvious: vampire orgies, blood sucking, sexy southern belles, voodoo, and a host of other fantasy-type insanity.
BONUS: JERSEY SHORE 2.0
Night: MTV, Thursdays at 10 p.m. (July 29)
Cast: The Situation, Snooki, Pauly D, Jwoww, Ronnie, Sammi
Synopsis: A handful of greasy, steroidal twenty-somethings who identify themselves as "guidos" and "guidettes" are crammed into a house together on Miami's South Beach. What will happen this season is anybody's guess, but we're sure it's going to involve alcohol, fighting, and tons of ignorance.
Why we're co-signing: We'd be lying if we said we didn't have some qualms about co-signing the train wreck that is Jersey Shore 2.0. After all, before Jersey Shore came along the most experience we had with watching mental patients was One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest. But look at it this way: at least you can laugh along with us as we collect fodder for our next soundboard.