There are two perfect times of year to go on a TV on DVD watching bonanza: Christmas break and summer. Christmas break is great because all your favorite shows are on pause and the weather (where I live, anyway) is perfect for curling up on the couch with a hot beverage and watching eight hours straight of something you love. Summer is good because for three to four months, most of your favorite shows are on hiatus. Sure, there are a few things on to watch – or you might be lucky and discover a new gem, like Seinfeld or Survivor. But there’s often a void in my summer TV viewing schedule, which is why I’m introducing the Summertime DVD Flashback Friday.
Here’s the gist: Every Friday, all summer, I am going to recommend a TV series that I think you should be watching on DVD. I’ll summarize and review it and make an argument for why you should spend your time on it. At the same time, I’ve made a list of shows for myself to watch this summer. Projects, if you will. So some Fridays I’ll recommend a show to you guys, and some Fridays I’ll review a show that I’ve finished watching. Here’s a list of shows I’m planning on discussing this summer:
My Summer Projects:
- Chuck – An action-comedy that just finished airing its third season on NBC. I’ve been meaning to watch it for a while and already purchased the first season on DVD. I’d love to catch season two and three this summer as well, but I’ll definitely be reviewing at least the first season.
- Extras – I love Ricky Gervais and already own this series on DVD. It’s a short project – there are two seasons of six episodes each, as well as a Christmas special.
- Mad Men – I kind of hate myself for not downloading this series as it aired. The fourth season of the series will begin airing on AMC in July – I hope to watch at least the first two seasons this summer.
- Big Love – I’ve seen the first two seasons of the show and loved them. I heard season four, which aired on HBO this year, wasn’t fantastic, but I’m hoping to catch both season three and four this summer.
- Treme – This is a new HBO show that comes from the creators of The Wire, one of my all-time favorite shows. The season one finale will air on June 20th, and I hope to watch the season this summer.
- Band of Brothers – This ten-part miniseries aired on HBO back in 2001, and I’ve only ever heard good things about it. I think it’s time I saw it.
- Planet Earth – I love watching shows about animals, and this is another critically acclaimed series that I feel I need to see. It aired on the BBC in 2006.
- The Wire – Five seasons of this show aired on HBO from 2002 until 2008. It’s one of the best shows I’ve ever seen with some of the most complex plots and characters.
- Dexter – This show will return to Showtime this fall for its fifth season, and is another one of my all-time favorites.
- Parenthood – I’ve been reviewing the first season of this show since it premiered on NBC in March. Since it’s been picked up for a second season, I suggest jumping on board this summer.
- Veronica Mars – You don’t have to be a teenage girl to appreciate this witty modern-day version of an edgy Nancy Drew, which ran for three seasons on UPN and The CW.
- Gilmore Girls – Guys, this one might not be for you – although I encourage you to give it a chance. There are seven seasons of this show, which aired on the WB and CW networks, and the episodes are classic and comedic.
- Freaks and Geeks – This show only saw one season, and what a shame that is. It aired on NBC from 1999-2000 and the fact that it was canceled is a television crime. Watching it won’t take up much of your time and will be well worth it. Plus, lots of the show’s alums went on to have great careers!
- The Mary Tyler Moore Show – A classic. Seven seasons of this show aired from 1970 t0 1977 and is still as fresh and funny as ever. A stellar cast (You’ve heard of Betty White, right?) and sharp writing makes this a must-watch.
Do you have a show you’d like to recommend or a summer TV on DVD project of your own? Let me know in the comments, or send in your own review! If you’d like to write a review of a show to be posted on the site, find me on Twitter and send a direct message!
