The seasons are clearly changing. Temps are rising, lawns are growing, and all my favorite TV shows are winding down. I mean, I found myself watching Mr. & Mrs. Smith on TV the other night rather than this week’s episodes. (In order to prolong the Season Is Over Sadness, you know.)

So for this very first installment of the “Mama Still Loves Her Shows” series, we’re going to talk about our summer TV options. I’ll also answer a reader question and give you a list of shows that YOU all recommended. Let’s dive in!

(But first, if you don’t know the fate of your favorite show, you can read about all the cancellations here. *sniff*)

Summer TV Premieres

Disclosure: These are only the shows I want to watch. You can find a list of all the other shows premiering this summer here.

So You Think You Can Dance: (FOX, Monday, June 1) Once again, SYTYCD is mixing things up, this year dividing the competitors into stage dancers and street dancers. They’ve also given Mary “Screamer” Murphy the boot and replaced her (and possibly the rotating judge position) with Paula Abdul and Jason Derulo. I don’t know about that, you guys. A whole season without Adam Shankman, Jenna Elfman, Christina Applegate, Debbie Allen or Jesse Tyler Ferguson? I’m just not sure what kind of season that will be.

Stitchers: (ABC Family, Tuesdays, June 2) This is a new show, and I have no idea if it will be good. But the commercials for it are maddeningly vague – or, as my crazy brain has interpreted them, intriguing. One description I read said this: “A new mystery drama about a young woman hired to “stitch” the memories of the recently deceased, so they can be used to solve crimes. Sounds a little like iZombie, only without a bowl of brains at every meal.” I’m in for at least the first episode.

Suits: (USA, Wednesdays, June 24) Do you guys watch Suits? It is INTENSE with the drama and the drama and the more drama. But, at least for me, it’s so far removed from my reality that it’s not stressful at all (as opposed to Parenthood, which is just TOO MUCH REAL for me). And even though I admit to letting six episodes pile up on my DVR last season, it really is one of my favorites.

Mr. Robot: (USA, Wednesdays, June 24) Hackers take down the corrupt rich people running the world? Starring Christian Slater? Say no more. I’m in until it gets cancelled. And, based on Christian Slater’s track record with TV shows (all of which I watched loyally, thank you very much), will be soon.

Hollywood Game Night: (NBC, Tuesdays, July 7) Sadly, Lip Sync Battle has been a sore disappointment. THIS is the celebrity game show to watch. Bring on the charades and word games and Jane Lynch in her pantsuits!

Playing House: (USA, Tuesdays, August 4) I was so excited this show – about a woman moving back to her hometown and helping her best friend raise her baby – got renewed for a second season! The two lead characters are played by real-life friends – and it shows. Their chemistry and banter is hilarious and realistic, and I have been hounding Smitty to watch it for an entire year now. You should watch it, too. The whole season is on Amazon and the last few episodes are available for free on USA’s site.

What’s your favorite summer show?

Just in case the summer doesn’t have much to offer you in the way of shows, here’s a list of the shows you all said you’re loving right now:

• Madam Secretary (CBS drama and one of my favorites)
• The Musketeers (BBC drama that I currently have reserved at the library!)
• The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (hilarious Netflix show you really should watch)
• When Calls the Heart (Hallmark Channel show I haven’t watched but hear is great)
• The Blacklist (NBC drama that EV-ER-Y-ONE has told me to watch.)
• iZombie (new CW show that seems funny but, well, zombies. Ew.)
• Forever (cancelled ABC drama that ended well, so you could still watch and not feel sad)

And my two recommendations are Benched, a one-season USA comedy that’s available on Amazon, and Greek, an ABC Family show you can watch for free on the ABC Family website. Two good options right there – short and funny or long (four seasons of an hour-long show) and dramatic (and funny).

Now, onto that reader question. Last month, Angela asked:

“If you could revive one cancelled show which one would you choose?

Good question! (Especially in these days of reboots, from Full House and Coach to X-Files and Heroes.) And easy, too. If I could revive one show, it would be Ed.

Why, you ask?

Because a) It was a great show, and b) It cannot be found anywhere! I read one time that it’s something about the music rights keeping Ed from being released on DVD. I suppose that – or whatever the real reason is – explains why the gang from Stuckeyville can’t be found on Hulu, Netflix or Amazon either. No matter the explanation, it’s a sad situation.

A review by Entertainment Weekly basically said Ed was goofy and sentimental – but clever enough to get away with it. “But rather than settle for … whimsicality, Ed possesses all the bright romantic magic and tart humor of a first-rate screwball film comedy. This series is a perfect example of why you should never judge a TV show by its premise.”

Now that I think about it, the concept of Ed isn’t that different from Playing House. It’s about a guy whose life in the city falls apart, so he spontaneously moves back to his small hometown, picks up with his old best friend, and resumes his crush on The Girl from high school. The group of friends also has great chemistry and witty banter – and Mark and I still quote the show today.

What show would you revive?

 
Don’t forget: This is a monthly TV post now, and I need your questions!