Fresh Series That Beat The Summer Blues

The summer months have been a good time for me to catch up on some original programming here in the States. Yes, there are alternatives to the same old reruns. And occasionally, you find some gems. I'm avoiding discussion on series or reality programs that are not up to par (are you listening, David Milch, with your confusing and tired drama "John From Cincinnati"?) So here are some snapshots of some hot programs to watch out for on a hot summer.

ARMY WIVES (Lifetime) -- A few years ago, Steven Bochco tried to bring the Iraq war experience home with the powerful but short-lived "Over There." But leave it to Lifetime ("Television for women") to come up with a more accessible and successful look at the war through the eyes of the spouses. "Army Wives" has some soapy moments (a battle over child custody, a gossipy and hateful character), but those moments are overcome by strong performances by the lead actresses--Kim Delaney ("NYPD Blue"); Catherine Bell ("JAG") and especially the wonderful Sally Pressman as no-nonsense new Army bride Roxy LeBlanc. "Army Wives" doesn't take a stand on the war itself, but does have strong opinions on the basics--duty to country, love of family and responsibility--along with the problems of making do when your loved one is far away from home. "Army Wives" has become the most successful original series in Lifetime history, and deservedly so.

ENTOURAGE (HBO) -- A new season of this comedy drama about an aspiring actor and his "posse" has just started in the States. It's co-produced by actor Marc Wahlberg (based on his real-life rise in Hollywood). And for a show about the insides of show business, it's not only interesting but funny as well. All four of the main actors--Adrian Grenier as rising star Vince Chase; Kevin Connolly as best friend and manager Eric Murphy; Kevin Dillon as Vince's older brother and struggling actor Drama; and Jerry Ferrara as friend and driver Turtle--bring great performances. But the best of the best is Jeremy Piven as agent-from-hell Ari Gold; his angry, sometimes desperate portrayal makes "Entourage" crackle with life and gives the show spark. Piven is simply the topping on an already rich sundae. "Entourage" squeezes more realism out of show business in just two minutes than "Entertainment Tonight" can muster in a single week.

HELL'S KITCHEN (FOX) -- Gordon Ramsay is getting a reputation in the States as a nasty chef--thanks to this reality show. (Ramsay is bringing a version of his UK "Kitchen Nightmares" to Fox this fall.) But like it or not, "Hell's Kitchen" is entertaining stuff. You won't learn much about food preparation, but it's never boring--between Ramsay's edited-for-television rants and the dense wannabe chefs who scheme and sometimes fail, the sparks can fly. So far, the new batch of contestants--who are vying for the chance to become the head chef at a Las Vegas area restaurant--are not shaping up to be the best and the brightest. That could change. For now, it's a fun ride.

TOP CHEF (Bravo) -- Here's the other and more credible cooking show for sophisticated pallets. Produced by the same folks who do the even more successful "Project Runway," "Top Chef" pits chefs of varying experience together in a series of eliminations and challenges until one becomes the ultimate winner, complete with a $100 thousand dollar bonus to start their own restaurant. What gives "Top Chef" its credibility is its host Padma Lakshmi and its regular chef judges, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons--all three love food, and accurately judge each dish on a variety of criteria. (This season, Ted Allen of "Queer Eye" fame joins the judging panel, and it should be all the better for his presence.) "Top Chef" is often compared with "Hell's Kitchen," but there's a big difference between the two: After watching "Hell's Kitchen," you come away entertained. But after an episode of "Top Chef," you're a little more savvy about the kitchen.

RESCUE ME (FX): "Army Wives" looks at the military experience after the 9/11 attacks, and "Rescue Me" does the same for New York firefighters in the post-World Trade Center world. Along the way, "Rescue Me" has become one of the sharpest, savviest dramas on television. Yes, it's man land (sexist, racist, homophobic). But it's raw, real and disturbing. And a lot of that is due to the performance of Denis Leary, the comic-turned-actor who portrays firefighter Tommy Gavin. (He's also the show's co-creator with Peter Tolan. Tommy's a darn good firefighter, but he continues to wrestle with demons--the death of his brother during 9/11; his addiction to pills and booze; his relationships with women (including his ex-wife) and his dealings with his fellow firefighters. Just when you think Tommy has gone overboard, he pushes the envelope again. And again. "Rescue Me" never fails to keep me on the edge of the seat for one simple reason: You play with fire, you get burned. And that interest in the flames keeps "Rescue Me" several notches above the competition.

AMERICA'S GOT TALENT (NBC): There have been so many postings on Television Heaven's forum about the UK counterpart "Britain's Got Talent," that I had to take a second look at the US version (co-produced of Simon Cowell of "Idol" fame). I've said over and over again that TV talent shows are not new (you can go back to the days of radio when "The Original Amateur Hour" was a hit). Any talent show is only as good as the contestants and the concept, and "AGT" does not stray from the "Idol" formula of a host (Jerry Springer for its second season) and three judges (Sharon Osbourne, David Hasselhoff and Brit Piers Morgan) judging various acts. Some are very good, the worst get air time for the entertainment value. As I write this, "AGT" is in the audition mode with tryouts in various US cities. The real test will come when the selected acts bring their game to the final rounds. But I admit, it's never less than entertaining--Springer is a surprisingly good MC; Osbourne is the mother of the judging trio; Morgan is the Simon of this series; and The Hoff is at his best throwing a hissy fit, which he seems to do when he doesn't get his way. Maybe all those years of being told what to do by a car on "Knight Rider" has had an effect. Still, it's not bad viewing at all.

Finally, a word about "Are You Smarter Than A Fifth Grader?": When the show premiered in March, I gave it a short review, calling it "likable" and "well produced." Now that fresh episodes of this quizzer are airing for the summer, I gave it a second look. And unlike such tired prime time quizzes as "Deal or No Deal" and "1 vs. 100," this simple format still shines. Leave it to reality show producer Mark Burnett to come up with a format that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. It's simplicity itself: Grown-ups must answer a series of grade school questions for a chance to win a million dollars. They can get help from the show's fifth-grade regulars (who will graduate this fall to make room for a new batch of fifth graders). And frankly, while the questions are not in the "Jeopardy" mode, it's amazing to realize I struggled with relatively simple questions that I once knew in elementary school. That's the beauty of "Smarter"--and its host, the comic Jeff Foxworthy, brings a much-needed dose of humor to the proceedings. "Smarter" will be back in the fall, and I understand a British version called "Are You Smarter Than A Ten-Year-Old?" is now being developed for Sky TV (owned by Rupert Murdoch, the parent of both Sky and Fox, which airs "Fifth Grader" in the States.) It's good summer fun. As are all of the shows I noted above.

Until next time, happy viewing!