The Best of Summer TV

it has been a good summer for television. actually most of the 13 shows shown here are as good or better than most shows on the winter schedule. what is noteworthy is they are all on cable. over the past few years cable has indeed provided us with some of the best tv offers be it on basic or premium cable. if you are not watching these you are missing great performance on damn good shows. you should catch up either with netflix or on demand.

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'against the wall' is interesting in it's premise. the daughter in a family of cops joins internal affairs. the conflict is set up. we'll have to see how far they can take this and for how long. it works on hot summer nights when you just want to stay home. kathy baker plays mom and as always is a grand addition to any series. i still miss 'picket fences'.

the closer' is having it's best season yet as is star kyra sedgwick. it is drawing to a close (next summer) unfortunately but appears to be going out not so quietly into the night. brenda lee johnson you will be missed.

'covert affairs' is cotton candy. it's sweet and keeps you wanting more. it will be back next season.

'drop dead diva' is far from wearing thin. brooke elliot is still one of tv's best actresses although few seem to know. it is renewed and will be back in 2012.

'expedition impossible' has a crowded field of teams but as eliminations begin the competitors become better known. it's a summer ripoff of 'the amazing race' and fills that void although in no way comes close to it's winter competitor.

'in plain sight' remains one of cable's beat offerings. it will be back for one more season in 2012. unfortunately it will be a short 8 episode season. losing this and 'the closer' at the same time is a great loss for summer fare. mary mccormack is a treasure. i await her next outing.

'chloe' is different. super hero with a heart. the frosh season showed it has promise. here's hoping. amy peitz as mom has her best role to date.

'pretty little liars' remains summers best guilty pleasure. the liars keep on jugging the balls and spinning the plates. they seem far from dropping them. troian bellesario (spencer) is still the one to watch with the best acting chops and the best lines. but the other three liars are wonderful too. i just think troian has a bigger career ahead.

'rizzoli and isles' was even better in it's second season. and who knew sasha alexander (isles) is sophia loren's daughter- in -law.you go girl. edoardo ponte is a looker.

'suits' is the best new summer series. i repeat: 'suits' is the best new summer series.  it is smart. it fills in 'the good wife void. it has been renewed for a longer 2012 season as it should be.

'switched at birth' should be seen by everyone. it gives an insight to the non speaking world not seen much...anywhere.

'teen wolf' was the surprise. aimed at teens it works for adults. it is to werewolves what 'vampire diaries' is to vampires. it certainly does not have the same production values and belongs in the summer season. it's like a quick 'get away' vacation. sometimes you just need one.

'true blood' is having it's best season yet. i almost gave up on this one after a dismal season 2. i'm glad i stuck with it. vampires, werewolves and now witches...oh my!

They're Back...

finally, at last, tomorrow night. let the fun begin.

Guilty Pleasure: 'Pretty Little Liars' Spring Finale

'pretty little liars' had it's spring finale this week. this show has come a long way...meaning from very good to even better. the twists and turns don't stop. nor do the lies. the characters have developed nicely as four young actresses, two young actors and a few adults have grown into their roles. this show is like watching a juggler or a plate spinner and wondering when the balls will fall or the plates crash. but here they don't. they stay in mid air. we hold our breathes. the mystery of it all goes on. it returns in june. too too long.

the liars

ashley benson (hanna), lucy hale (aria), shay mitchell (emily) and troian bellisario (spencer)

these four actresses are given equal time on the show but spencer's (bellisario) character developement has been amazing. she has gone from the quiet brainy one to scene stealer. ms. bellisario is the one to watch.

spencer's relationship with town pariah toby (keegan allen) developed gradually and blossomed much to their surprise and ours. they work well off each other and appear meant to be. is spencer's faith in him justified? i hope so but a momentary glimpse of him in the crowd in the final seconds of the finale raises doubt. for spencer's sake i hope her faith in him is indeed justified. for dramatic purposes maybe not so. either way they need to keep them together on screen. their work together is so natural, so believable.

aria

aria (lucy hale) and ezra (ian harding) were for me an abcfamily network surprise. teacher and student? must be a new kind of family watching this. definitely not for the palin's i think.


but finally they are no longer student and teacher. good. it was wearing a bit thin. they've uped it. his ex is back. menage anyone? spinning dishes you see.

hannah


ashley benson is terrific. the four friends are all vulnerable to the mysterious "a". but hannah is the most vulnerable period. it's her history. her relationship with caleb (tyler blackburn) seems so real. they have good chemistry. where that relationship is in the finale though is another of those rotating dishes.

emily

emily (shay mitchell) is out and proud. her struggling with people around her trying to push her back in the closet is real. been there! the amazing thing though is the acceptance by her closest friends. high school somewhere has become an easier place for a gay teen. why is it only on tv. since this show is aimed for a younger crowd maybe they can learn from this. i can only hope. ms. mitchell goes through the ups and downs of 'gay youth' beautifully. i hope GLADD recognizes her portrayal when next they gather to award good and healthy gay portrayals on film and tv.

and then there is poor dead alison. portrayed well by sasha pieterse she is the mean girl anyone would want to see dead.but who is channeling her from the great beyond is another jugglers ball in the air.
(pictured here with ms. mitchell and ms. hale)

till next time