57 Channels and Nothing On

Usually during the hot, summer months, the television networks rehash the same old crap that they showed you during the "regular" television season. It's to be expected. With the nice weather, people tend to spend more time outside and away from the boob tube. But on a day when it's raining or when you just don't feel like venturing outdoors, what's that leave you to watch? One can watch only so many re-runs of Seinfeld or Law & Order. Well, this summer I have been pleasently suprised with the TV fare that has been presented.

FX continues to impress me with their original programming. I'm a huge fan of The Shield. Then I started hearing rave reviews of Rescue Me. Dennis Leary has always been a good actor who never got any respect (anyone remember "The Job"?), but I think he's finally found his groove with this one.

Another little diddy on FX is 30 Days. It's only running for 6 episodes, but well worth the time. Created by SuperSize Me's Morgan Spurlock, people immerse themselves in something they may have otherwise avoided and the madness ensues. Definately an experiment in human nature. If you're looking for smart TV, this'll give you something to wrap your head around.

A new show that I picked up on at the beginning of the summer is USA's The 4400. Partly sci-fi, but not enough to turn people off. It focuses mostly on personalities and acceptance of others. Maybe I'm just missing Lost, but this show is pretty good.

Also on USA is The Dead Zone. Remember Anthony Michael Hall from the Brat Pack movies? Well, he's been doing this show for a few years now and it still flies under the radar. He plays John Smith from Stephen King's book of the same name. If you haven't read it, go get it. I think it's his best book.

Lastly, Entourage on HBO is hilarious. Can Hollywood really be like this? This may be Jeremy Pivin's best role since he was in P.C.U. "Let's hug it out, bitch."

So if you're bored some night and you don't really want to watch CSI: Hoboken, try one of these shows. Satisfaction is guaranteed.