Summer TV Roundup
God help me, I’m watching I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here.
The Heidi-Spencer drama (two of the most pointless people ever in the history of the world – right up there with Paris Hilton) caught my attention and this week – God help me – I watched two episodes.
Self-absorbed, vapid people = good TV experience when summer TV kind of sucks, you know?
Anyway, love Lou Diamond Phillips. And the Baldwin brothers. And who knew Sanjaya was so sweet? Who didn’t know that Janice Dickinson is a sociopath?
I also caught the first episode of Royal Pains on USA. The lead is appealing and there might be something there in the adventures of a do-gooder who somehow finds himself working as a “concierege doctor” for the rich folks in the Hamptons. I can always use a another dysfunctional rich people show so I don’t have to feel so bad about not being rich and this one looks promising.
Ghost Hunters ended their latest run a few weeks ago until September, but, in the meantime, Ghost Hunters International picks up in July. Ghost Adventures, the macho, extreme version of Ghost Hunters which I find almost ridiculously watchable, kicked off a new summer season last night. It’s on my TiVo waiting to go.
But, even though I’ve been reduced to watching “celebrities” compete in stupid tasks in the Costa Rican jungle, things are about to pick up tomorrow night when – you guessed it – True Blood returns on HBO. Every piece on the show I’ve seen seems to be reinforcing over and over again “more Eric this year.” It’s nice to know they listened and want us to know it.
At least there will be True Blood to tide us over, because sadly we’re going to have to wait until August 16th for the return of my favorite TV show right now: Mad Men. Along with the announcement of the premiere date, this intriguing photo was released. About all we can learn from this one is that we’re forward at least eight months in time from where they left us last year, which would put the time at about June of 1963.
Methinks we’ll also probably get to November 1963. Which would be a nice symmetrical ending with season two, yes?
-Sandy AAR
Like to watch Stargate Atlantis episodes and also Lost. I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
I hate to admit it, but I’m watching I’m a Celebrity… I watched the first episode, vowed not to come back unless Speidi left, and did stop watching it. But then I heard Speidi was gone, and I began to watch – and enjoy – it again, mostly for Lou Diamond Phillips. Still trying to figure out why such an intelligent (seeming) man is on there.
But as for Speidi… if they come back, I won’t watch it again. They are too draining… when they are onscreen I feel like my brain is being insidiously eaten from the inside by a worm that keeps shrieking… ‘everyone is sooooo meeeeeean’.
Karen W, I think the show is at a level of crap-dom that qualifies it as a guilty pleasure. And I’m devastated to say that I misssed Speidi. Here’s hoping they return — as rumors seem to suggest.
I guess I’m also going to have to admit I got hooked on watching “I’m A Celebrity” after I was sure I’d NEVER watch such crap. :)
Like you, I’m in love with Lou Diamond Phillips. I’ve been a fan of his for many years, so it’s wonderful to see what a sweet, down-to-earth, caring guy he seems to be, as well as a good leader.
I’m just glad “Speidi” is gone!
Definite fingers crossed here that there is much reduced Jason this season. I ended up recording most of the shows, and would ff through many of Jason’s scenes.
Sorry you didn’t like SYTYCD, Sandy.
Katie and LG, I tried So You Think You Can Dance and it’s just not for me. I’m not sure why, but I ended up playing games on my iPhone both times I tried to watch it.
Katie, there was much kvetching (and I was one of the biggest kvetchers) about all the time wasted on dim bulb Jason doing it doggie style — all the Jason stuff got particularly out of hand in the series’ last half. Here’s hoping it’s SERIOUSLY reduced this year. (I read Alan Ball say somewhere that Sookie and Bill have a hot scene in the first episode of the second season.)
My summer TV schedule includes two shows: the amazing and incredible So You Think You Can Dance, and the first season of True Blood on DVD. I started watching TB after hearing you rave about it Sandy, and am currently on episode 8. I’m really liking it–despite the twinges of feeling like I’m watching porn during Jason’s scenes. I’m guessing that once I’ve blown through the entire first season (I’m forcing myself to slow it down), I’ll be pissed that I don’t have HBO.
Oh dear! I’ve thought about watching I’m a Celebrity, but so far have resisted. But, as a huge reality tv watcher, I’ll probably cave at some point. Of course, I think of the summer as having one of the best shows of the year….So You Think You Can Dance!