What to Watch this Summer: NEW TV Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror & more
Hi there! As my first post as your TVG33K I want to provide you all with a comprehensive list of the new sci-fi, horror, fantasy and other awesome series that are premiering this summer. Ive tried to include everything new and relevant and get the most current airing information as possible. Drop me a line in the comments if I’ve left out your most anticipated summer series.
Which one of these new shows are you most looking forward to? Let me know in the comments then check back here for reviews once they’ve aired.
Make sure to check out my guide for returning summer series here.
*All times listed are EST.
FRANKLIN & BASH
(TNT)
[airs Wednesdays at 9pm]
This show is on the list for no other reason than it features Malcolm McDowell, and maybe because of Mark Paul-Gosselaar for the funnies of seeing him. I’m quite certain it will be that kind of awful that isn’t entirely unwatchable if there is absolutely nothing else on TV.
(from TNT’s press release, March 2011) :
“Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Saved by the Bell) and Breckin Meyer (Road Trip) star in this light-hearted legal drama as two fly-by-the seat-of-their-pants lawyers working for a button-down law firm. Malcom McDowell (Heroes, Entourage) also stars as the head of their firm.”
ALMOST HEROES
(Showcase)
[Airs Thursdays at 9pm & 11pm]
A Canadian comedy about two brothers and a comic book shop co-starring Paul Campbell (a.k.a. our favourite “I totally thought he was going to be a cylon” Billy Keikeya from Battlestar Galactica). I’ll gave it a shot for Billy but I’m staying for the fires, axe fights, comic books and brotherly love… and it’s pretty damn funny too.
(from Showcase.ca) :
When seemingly slick and together Terry returns from Harvard business school for his father’s funeral, he expects it to be a quick trip down memory lane. But when he discovers the family comic book store is almost bankrupt, and he’s to blame, things get more complicated. His head-in-the-clouds brother Peter is going to lose the store without help, and as far apart as they’ve grown, Terry can’t abandon his brother when he needs him most.
TEEN WOLF
(MTV/MuchMusic)
[airs Mon at 10pm]
This Teen Wolf “remix” as they’re calling it is a bit of a high school drama mixed with a dose of the supernatural giving the cliche metaphors of puberty and the hell of high school. It’s actually pretty fun with just the right amount of camp and horror for a summer fling. I’ll be watching.
(from MTV’s press release, August 2010) :
From the creator of “Criminal Minds,” Jeff Davis, and the executive producers of “The 4400,” Rene Echevarria and of “Prison Break” Marty Adelstein, “Teen Wolf” combines friendship and love in the context of horror and high school. ” Always an outsider and often unnoticed, Scott McCall yearns to be recognized in some small way that takes him out of his typical state of high school anonymity. When his best friend, Stiles, convinces him to go into the woods one night to join a police search for a dead body, Scott encounters a creature in the darkness. Narrowly escaping an attack with a vicious bite in his side, the next day brings strange surprises for Scott at school and his life will never be the same.”
http://youtu.be/wgb-0CX6ppE
MY BABYSITTER’S A VAMPIRE
(DISNEY)
[ airs Mondays at 7pm]
If you want to see what Vampires look like when neutered by Disney to be made appropriate for a kids TV series, check this out. Spy Kids meets Twilight? God knows. *vomit* I’d probably skip it.
(from Disney Channel’s press release, May 2011) :
“My Babysitter’s a Vampire,” a comedic spin on pop culture vampires and scary movies in general, tells the story of three teens who believe their new babysitter is a real bloodsucking creature of the night — and it’s now up to them to rid their sleepy little town of the menace.”
G4’S PROVING GROUND
(G4)
[series premiere June 14, regularly airs Tuesdays at 8pm]
Like “Mythbusters” but focusing solely on discovering the plausibility of iconic pop culture moments and technologies. I’m so in and am very much anticipating this one.
(from G4’s press release, May 2011) :
Ever wished you could spin a web and swing from it like Spiderman? Use “the force” on your enemies? Teleport like Captain Kirk? We have too, but instead of sitting around saying “wouldn’t it be cool if…” we’re getting off the couch and doing something about it. “G4’s Proving Ground” sets its sights on some of pop culture’s most iconic moments in film, television and videogames to see if they can really work in the real world. Hosted by Ryan Dunn (Jackass) and Jessica Chobot (“Attack of the Show!”, IGN) The series follows the risk-taking Dunn and the gorgeous Chobot, along with a dream team of experts, specialists and prop masters from the worlds of film and television, who assist the two in determining if great pop culture moments can be executed in real life through action-oriented trials, stunts and experiments. Once the best strategies and tactics are determined, all plans and materials are then taken to the “Proving Ground” to be executed and reveal once and for all if the pop culture moment in question can in fact happen in real life.
THE NINE LIVES OF CHLOE KING
(ABC FAMILY)
[series premiere June 14 regularly airs Tuesdays at 9pm]
Chloe gets special super powers on her 16th birthday which she must use to save the world. I’ll be giving this one a shot in hopes that Chloe turns out to be the next Buffy, or something like it.
(from ABC Family’s press release, May 2011) :
“A smart, pretty, slightly offbeat teen girl who lives alone with her single-mother suddenly discovers her destiny is far greater than she could have ever imagined. The new one-hour scripted action drama follows Chloe King, who is looking forward to celebrating her 16th birthday with her friends and single mother — just like every other year – that is until she starts developing heightened abilities and discovers she’s being pursued by a mysterious figure. Chloe soon learns she’s part of an ancient race called the Mai, which has been hunted by human assassins for millennia – and that she may ultimately be their only hope for survival.”
OUTCASTS
(Space, BBC America)
[Space airs Saturdays at 8pm/ BBC America Saturdays at 9pm]
Already aired and cancelled on the BBC, this post-earth 8-part series deals with the people who managed to escape a nuclear holocaust on Earth to a planet called Carpathia. I’m pretty much in it for Jamie Bamber’s dashing (and in this case scruffy) good looks.
(from BBC America):
From the makers of award-winning and international hit series Life on Mars, MI-5, Hustle and Occupation, comes Outcasts. The series takes viewers into a new world as it explores survival, sex, politics and the drive for power in a new post-Earth era. Created by Ben Richards (MI-5), the seriesstars Eric Mabius (Ugly Betty, The L Word), Liam Cunningham (Clash Of The Titans) and Hermione Norris (MI-5, Wire In The Blood).
FALLING SKIES
(TNT)
[two-hour series premiere – special time June 19 at 9pm, regularly airs Sundays at 10pm]
This summer’s alien invasion series. Every summer needs aliens, fire and hot stars. So yeah, watch list until proven otherwise (I’m looking at you “The Event”).
(from TNT’s press release, March 2011) :
“Noah Wyle (ER) stars in this gripping drama series from DreamWorks Television and executive producer Steven Spielberg about the aftermath of an alien invasion and the resistance movement formed by the survivors.”
ALPHAS
(SYFY/Space)
[SYFY 90-minute series premiere July 11, regularly airs Mondays at 10pm]
[Space promises to be airing this series this summer but time and date have yet to be listed]
Kind of like Heroes, a group of people who begin to expand human capability fight new crime. Starring Oscar nominee David Strathairn (Good Night, and Good Luck)and Ryan Cartwright, formerly Vincent Nigel-Murray, the trivia obsessed Jeopardy winning squintern on Bones.
(from Syfy’s press release, April 2011) :
“Alphas follows a team of ordinary citizens with extraordinary mental and physical abilities. Taking the law into their own hands, the unlikely team, led by Dr. Leigh Rosen (Emmy Award-winner and Oscar nominee David Strathairn) investigates cases that suggest other Alpha activity to uncover what the CIA, FBI and Pentagon have not been able, or willing, to solve. These gifted individuals must balance their quirky personalities and disparate backgrounds with their not always visible powers as they work to solve crimes, stop the ticking time bomb and catch the enemy. Alphas also stars Malik Yoba, Warren Christie, Laura Mennell, Ryan Cartwright and Azita Ghanizada”
http://youtu.be/0zHxFaFAU1w
NTSF:SD:SUV
(ADULT SWIM)
[series premiere July 7, regularly airs Thursdays at 11:59 PM]
If you’re into Adult Swim it’s probably a no brainer. It’s about time we got a decent police procedural comedy about terrorists. It’s got an an awesome cast and it’s only 15 minutes, so certainly worth checking out.
(from Adult Swim’s press release, May 2011) :
“NTSF:SD:SUV:: (National Terrorism Strike Force: San Diego: Sport Utility Vehicle), is a clandestine team of government agents working together to protect San Diego from numerous terrorist threats coming in daily from such evil countries as Mexico, Canada and Guam. This team of highly trained operatives has only one job: saving your ass so you can drive your Prius and see your movies in 3-D without worrying about living in a country run by no-good terrorists. As with many other acronym-ed police procedurals that dominate the airwaves, NTSF:SD:SUV::’s season of 15-minute episodes is ripped from the headlines and full of suspense, action, drama, cliffhangers, yelling, passionate love-making, more yelling, death and plenty of pregnant pauses. NTSF:SD:SUV:: is created by Paul Scheer and stars Scheer, Rebecca Romjin, Rob Riggle, Kate Mulgrew, Brandon Johnson, June Diane Raphael, Martin Starr and S.A.M., the first sentient robot on television. Paul Scheer and Jonathan Stern are executive producers. Curtis Gwinn is co-executive producer.”
