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How I’ll Spend My Summer Vacation …

June 14, 2006

Long ago and faraway, when school ended so did television. It was reruns all summer long. Not anymore! For better or worse, the television schedule is packed with new shows.

Here’s a dozen we think are worth staying indoors — good weather be damned.

New shows:

America’s Got Talent
It’s like “American Idol,” but with Regis Philbin and all kinds of talent … not just singing! Need we say more? Wednesday, 8:00pm, NBC.

Game Show Marathon
Six celebrities compete in classic TV game shows like “The Price Is Right,” “Let’s Make A Deal” and “Family Feud” with host Ricki Lake. Now where’s Regis when we really need him? Oh … he’s busy. Wednesday, 8:00pm, CBS.

Psych
Quirky detective has acute powers of observation that make him able to see into the future. Should make a perfect bunkmate for that other quirky detective, the returning “Monk.” Friday, 10:00pm, USA.

Saved
Slacker-dude becomes a paramedic in this new series starring Tom Everett Scott. Expect plenty of self-examination as he saves people’s lives in Portland, Oregon. Monday, 10:00pm, TNT.

Tuesday Night Book Club
It’s like “Desperate Housewives,” but they’re real women from an upscale neighborhood who dish raising kids, sex, raising husbands, sex, and nothing Oprah is reading. (Did we mention sex?) Tuesday 10:00pm, CBS.

Windfall
A group of friends wins the lottery and thinks their lives will change forever. The ensemble cast includes Luke Perry. With this kind of money he can move out of his old area code. Thursday, 10:00pm, NBC, June 8.

Returning shows:

The Closer
No foolin’: Kyra Sedgwick and an excellent cast make this L.A.-based crime drama top notch. Monday, 9:00pm, TNT.

Deadwood
Them gol-darned cussin’ cowboys are back for another filthy, dirty season. Sunday, 9:00pm, HBO.

Entourage
Just like “Deadwood,” but with actors in Hollywood. Will Vince triumph in Aquaman? Sunday, 10:00pm, HBO.

Hell’s Kitchen
Spend some time cookin’ with Satan-in-a-smock — chef Gordon Ramsey — and see if you can stand the heat. Monday 9:00pm, Fox.

Last Comic Standing
It’s like “American Idol,” but with jokes! In a surprise twist, the funny finalists move in together. Did you hear the one about the two comics who …. Tuesday, 8:00pm, NBC.

Project Runway
Heidi Klum’s next batch of aspiring designers hit the scene on July 12. Needless to say – we can’t wait to watch it! Wednesday, 10:00pm, Bravo.

So You Think You Can Dance
It’s like “American Idol,” but with feet! Wednesdays and Thursdays, 9:00pm, Fox.
--Thomas Vincent Jones

O.C. on the Outs?

June 13, 2006

1/5/07: Can you save "The O.C."? Read TV Lover's take -- and call to action -- here.

1/3/07 -- UPDATE: FOX has cancelled the show. Read the story here.

6/13/06 --"The O.C." update -- FOX has only ordered 16 new episodes for next season! So now that they killed off Mischa Barton will the show end by mid-season next year? What does the future hold for these college-bound kids?-- Jerry Leo

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Recaps, Weecaps, Recaplets and More

Supernatural

No Rest For The Wicked

{ Recaplet }

Lilith does the body-hop and unleashes the hell hounds in the maddening (but awesome) season finale.

Country Roads...

{ Weecap }

Earl chooses The List over Billie, and Billie goes on a rampage trying to undo all the good that Earl has done.

Scent of a Returner

{ Recaplet }

He's baaaaaaaaack . . . . .

Ice Ice Baby

{ Recaplet }

Lana awakens/breaks up immediately with Clark; Clark finally deals with Brainiac/impostor-Kara; Chloe gets proposed to/arrested; and Lex makes a majestic exit by finding/destroying the Fortress of Solitude.

There's No Place Like Home, Part 1

{ Recaplet }

Everybody is in a heap of trouble in this cliffhanger episode.

Crazytown

{ Recaplet }

Meredith is fighting with her therapist, Cristina is actually cleaning her home, Ava's having a hysterical pregnancy, and a brain tumor patient is hallucinating that she has a wonderful boyfriend who is going to come stay with her during surgery.

Toby or Not Toby

{ Weecap }

Michael's HR nemesis gets his big send-off, but in an hour packed with big moments, the biggest one never comes.

WHAT

{ Recap }

Sara M recaps as Erik makes reality television history and gets voted out despite winning the immunity necklace, thanks to the well-oiled mind game machine that is Parvati, Natalie, Amanda, and Cirie.

Karma Time

{ Mondo Extra }

My Name Is Earl's mastermind shares his love of TWoP, his hatred of Wikipedia and his plans for more adventures for everyone's favorite mustachioed karma king.

Local Radio Gods

{ Weecap }

The home visits are just as scintillating as ever, and the Top 3 elimination is even more predictable. Thank God we have Fantasia to freak out and scream at us in the most fantastic way possible.

Web of Love

{ Weecap }

Nothing is sweeter than two crazies pretending to be other people finding Internet love with each other, especially when one then manipulates the other into killing someone.

Serve and Protect

{ Recaplet }

The cheftestants bicker and sabotage while trying to cook healthy meals for cops. If I had to eat Andrew's sushi, I'd be grouchy too.

There Can Be Only One

{ Recaplet }

Three become one as Tyra and Co. pare down the remaining contestants via the annual Cover Girl ad and an actual, honest-to-God fashion show. It's Ver-sayce!

The Girl On The Pale Horse

{ Recap }

Demetrius comes home, bearing scary new friends; Roslin and the Admiral find hope in the strangest of places.

Special Ed

{ Recap }

Or make that "Special Locke." Because that's what he is, as we see his life from birth to the present, when he's chosen to save the island. In other news, Keamy murders some people. Again. This guy's a real downer.