Long gone are the days when summer meant the whole television community went on hiatus, only to return to film their first episodes for fall in August. In the new landscape of gotta-have-it-now society, cable execs took note and used the broadcast networks’ sleepy, re-run filled summers to get ahead. And hey, it worked so well, the networks even had to jump on the bandwagon!
Most of your favorite scripted shows’ sound stages are still dark for summer, but non-scripted shows (code for reality) are popping off! Here are my summertime favorites I’ve been loving, (or am looking forward to!)
The Bachelorette (ABC):
Never have I ever felt so bad for a Bachelorette! First, the poor girl is getting played by Bentley on the most public stage possible (and no one in the production crew tells her), so she’s going on and on about this jerk for weeks! Then again, it makes great television. After such a bumpy ride, I’m rooting for her happy ending with my fave, JP!
Nail Files (TV Guide):
What do you get when you cross a Dallas Cowboy cheerleader with a non-drinking Snooki? Katie Cazorla of Nail Files. The blonde and busty owner of The Painted Nail in L.A. is super lovable as we watch her try to expand her business beyond the pedi chair. At any moment Katie is clapping excitedly, crying over business drama, or spazzing out over the latest celebrity to walk into her salon. You gotta root for this girl!
The Real Housewives of New Jersey (Bravo):
Re-casting this show was the best thing to ever happen. Adding Teresa’s younger, more attractive sister-in-law and meddling cousin has made for some of the best drama I have ever seen; too good to have been scripted! The focus is on Teresa as she tries to mend her relationship with her brother, best his wife, keep her husband in line and not crack under the media spotlight while going to court for bankruptcy proceedings. We can see why she’s a little mouthy this season.
Giuliana & Bill (Style Network):
Taking a breather from all of the heartbreaking infertility of last season, G & B have agreed to have “The Year of Fun!” Going on vacay in Italy and drinking wine top their list of things they couldn’t do if they had a baby. In the first episode Bill has agreed to sell the dream house they just built in Chicago, and re-locate to L.A. to spend more with his wife. Adventures await!
Jersey Shore (MTV):
Our favorite guidos and guidettes are flying off to Italy, but don’t think the language barrier will stop them from all of the same old, same old. The just-released trailer shows the gang hooking up (with each other, and some randoms, of course), fighting (Sam, Ron and Situation sound familiar?), and Snooki is drunk and crying. I can’t get enough of a good thing. The new season starts Thursday, August 4 at 10p.m.
The Rachel Zoe Project (Bravo):
Okay, so this next show doesn’t premiere until right after Labor Day, but since @BravoAndy has been promoting it all summer, I can’t stop thinking about it! This season looks juicy; frail little Zoe is pregnant, and I’m super curious how she was able to keep up with the pace of her career and sustain a pregnancy (while being so non-maternal). One of her employees asks in a not-so-delicate way which method she will use to deliver, and Rachel replies, “I was kinda hoping he would just appear.” See what I mean? The new season begins Tuesday, September 6 at 10p.m.
What shows have had you glued to the tube this summer? Leave us a reply in the comments section below!
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