Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day 2013 TV Marathons; Top 10 Summer 2013 Television Picks

Happy Memorial Day! Before we get into the holiday marathons as usual on a holiday, we want to give you a rundown of the top 10 series airing this summer on television! (Scroll below for the marathon info, if you are looking specifically for that).

1. Mistresses (ABC, Mondays 10|9c beginning June 3) - This is the juiciest new series coming this summer and it is perfect since it is hot and sultry. We've seen the first three episodes and it's like eating potato chips, you can't just watch one. Alyssa Milano is breathtaking and leads this series quite well. The series has more substance than the title implies and has a lot of heart and you just want to root for these four women. It's 13 weeks of fun and you're going to want to watch each one from June 3 to September 9 (preempted only on Aug. 5 and 12). Yunjin Kim (Lost) is also quite good in this along with Jason George, who is a drama staple.

2. Devious Maids (Lifetime, Sundays 10|9c beginning June 23) - From Marc Cherry and Eva Longoria of Desperate Housewives comes a similar series that brings the mystery and fun of that series back. We now are focused on all Latina women and Marc Cherry once again brings in a show that everyone will want to see. Having seen the first two episodes, we have the mystery, the beauty and an all-star cast lead by Ana Ortiz of Ugly Betty. All of the maids are quite good and by the end of episode two, you'll be invested in them all. Breakout performance of the summer belongs to Edy Ganem. She is the next Eva Longoria!

3. Rookie Blue (ABC, Thursdays 10|9c) - The fourth season of the Canadian drama began on Thursday and it returned with a bang. This is one of the best cop shows on television and it airs every summer. Missy Peregrym leads a great cast of rookie cops who are getting experience each season. The relationships on this show is like no other and reminds you of other ABC series like Castle and Grey's Anatomy.

4. Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family, Tuesdays 8|7c beginning June 11) - The liars are back for an all-new season with season four! This is one of the best teen series of all-time and everyone wants to know who is on the A team. As usual, we will have 12 episodes in the summer with a Halloween special in October before the rest of the season airs next winter. ABC Family spreads the season out well and makes it into an event. The show just gets better and better. The main four girls have ultra hot chemistry and Ashley Benson is the complete package with comedic fun even. Look for the spin-off series Ravenswood later this year.

5. Hot in Cleveland (TV Land, Wednesdays 10|9c beginning June 19) - The ladies returns with the second half of episodes for its fourth season and it starts off with a LIVE episode. That should be great and we can watch the most professional actor ever do her thing in Betty White. While some episodes have been hit or miss recently, this past fall had some great episodes, especially the ones revolving around Valerie Bertinelli, who looks better and better each season. It is amazing.

6. Melissa & Joey (ABC Family, Wednesdays 8|7c beginning May 29) - The third season of this sitcom premieres and we watched the first two episodes of the season. We'll have more on those episodes in a full review, but this series is a nice throwback style sitcom with a great cast lead by Melissa Joan Hart and Joey Lawrence. It's a modern day Who's the Boss? and we want to know if Mel and Joe "will get together or not."

7. Baby Daddy (ABC Family, Wednesdays 8:30|7:30c beginning May 29) - This series premiered last summer and got off to a awesome start! It returns for a second season and it is a great younger sitcom but has elements of past sitcoms like Boy Meets World. The core group of 20-somethings work together well and we also have a great relationship dynamic with Chelsea Kane's character. She seems to have amazing chemistry with both brothers, played by Jean-Luc Bilodeau and Derek Theler. Melissa Peterman as Jean-Luc Bilodeau's mother brings in a lot of laughs. And how cute is the baby? Look for our full review of the premiere and the next episode soon!

8. Covert Affairs (USA Network, Tuesdays 10|9c beginning July 16) - The very fun and awesome series starring Piper Perabo as Annie Walker returns for a fourth season. We had a great storyline last season with Annie and her love life meshing with work at the CIA. It's going to be interesting what will be in store this season. We hope to watch the season premiere very soon. This is a great and easy show to follow. It's not as complicated as Alias (which was a great show), but this is more for the mainstream audience and it works well as that.

9. Under the Dome (CBS, Mondays 10|9c beginning June 24) - One of CBS' very few attempts at a scripted series in the summer and it looks like a winner. We haven't gotten a review copy yet of the premiere yet but this series comes from Stephen King and will be airing in a time period full of summer dramas, but this show shouldn't have trouble finding an audience. It looks like a winner in quality as well. The series is about small town that is completely isolated when a mysterious force field shuts it off from the rest of the world.

10. Whodunnit? (ABC, Sundays 9|8c beginning June 23) - This is another series we haven't even seen yet, but it already makes the top 10 summer list because it is a unique and fresh idea. This is a reality series (and the only one of those on our top 10) that is coming from the creator of CSI. On this series, contestants are stuck in a mansion to solve fake crimes with high-tech forensic equipment. It's like a crime Big Brother but more interesting since we will want to know whodunnit? I'm obsessed already with stuff like this as I loved the 2-part The Jeffersons episode "Death Smiles on a Dry Cleaner," where George and Louise go on a cruise ship filled with mystery novelists who play a game of whodunnit? If it's anything like that, we will love it!

There are of course much more series airing but these are our ten best picks and ones you should make an effort to watch. Other notables include reality staples America's Got Talent (NBC), Big Brother (CBS), Wipeout (ABC), The Bachelorette (ABC), So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) and some interesting newbies like Hollywood Game Night (NBC), along with scripted series options like Falling Skies (TNT), Graceland (USA), Sullivan & Son (TBS), The Exes (TV Land), Motive (ABC), Camp (NBC) and the reboot of Whose Line Is It Anyway? (The CW). Plenty of options in the summer!


Now to the marathons! As we pay tribute to our troops every year on this day, let's have some fun as well watching TV marathons on the tube on this day off! If you're not going outside in the heat (or the cool weather, like we've had in the NY area), then there are plenty of TV options for you on this day! Are you headed to the shore or would you rather watch some good TV marathons like Happy Days? Share them with me (and everyone)! So bring out your lawn chair, throw some burgers on the BBQ, and watch some television!
Among the marathons today are the marathons we have previously mentioned, such as the Happy Days marathon in NY on WLNY-TV 10/55 from 9am-9pm. We also told you about the Baby Daddy season one marathon on ABC Family from 2pm-7pm, start the series in time for the second season on Wednesday. It's a good young and hip sitcom with a taste of old school shows like Boy Meets World. Give it a try! Other sitcoms getting the marathon treatment on this day include What's Happening!! on TV One in primetime from 8pm-2am, so say hey, hey, hey to them tonight. In the daytime, TV Guide Network will have a Who's the Boss? marathon today from 9am-1pm around the bend. Centric will air a Moesha marathon all-day from 10am-3am, so get out the brandy to watch Brandy. CMT will spend the morning with Reba with a block of Reba from 9am-12pm. TeenNick will have three blocks of teen sitcoms starting with Zoey 101, followed by Victorious then True Jackson VP in primetime. Comedy Central will have a South Park Steals Memorial Day Marathon beginning at 11am and running to 11pm. And probably the most fitting sitcom marathon of the day is M*A*S*H on TV Land from 8am-7pm. Other sitcoms airing today will be in their regular blocks, like I Love Lucy and The Brady Bunch on Hallmark and Saved by the Bell on MTV2.

Moving on to dramas, INSP has a marathon of The Waltons beginning at 11am today. If you like mystery, then spend the day with Angela Lansbury with a marathon of Murder, She Wrote on Hallmark Movie Channel beginning at 6am. If you still have SOAPnet, they have a Veronica Mars "Mars and Stripes Marathon" from 10am-7pm. It wouldn't be a holiday without marathons of Criminal Minds and once again ION and A&E will have marathons, with ION airing it from 4pm-1am and A&E from 9am-9pm. Another marathon staple is NCIS and USA Network has a marathon of the veteran series from 6am-8pm. TNT will have a promotional marathon for Falling Skies from 10am-8pm, which returns June 9 on TNT. GMC will have a marathon tonight for Touched by an Angel from 7-11pm. IFC will bring a marathon of the cult classic Freaks & Geeks with a marathon from 9am-3pm. And Cloo has a 24-hour marathon of Royal Pains beginning at 6am. Reality series wise, CMT will launch their new acquisition Hell's Kitchen with a marathon from 12pm-6pm leading into a marathon of the syndicated package of Cops called Cops Reloaded. Spend the day with Kim Kardashian in Keeping Up with the Kardashians on E! from 8am-12pm. Other reality best bets for the day are Top Gear marathon on BBC America, The Real Housewives of Orange County marathon on Bravo, Minute To Win It marathon on GSN, Pawn Stars marathon on History and Cake Boss marathon on TLC.

If you like movies on TV, watch Antenna TV's Memorial Day Cinema Salute begins at 5am. Encore will have a marathon of three movie series with trilogies. Kicking it off will be Back to the Future's three films, followed by Jurassic Park and then Lethal Weapon. Syfy has a Roger Corman Film Festival beginning at 12 noon through 4am. And you can of course catch movies all day on Lifetime, LMN, AMC, TCM and other networks that usually air movies.
For the full times of these marathons and much more marathons we didn't cover, check out the full list from our pals at TV Tango!


Sitcoms Airing Tonight / Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows

Tuesday, September 17

The Conners - "Young Love, Old Love and Take This Job and Shove It" (The CW, 8:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Darlene worries about Mark making friends at his new school; Mark turns to Ben for personal advice; Becky finds herself thriving in college and starts thinking about her future plans.

The Conners - "Let's All Push Our Hands Together for the Stew Train and the Conners' Furniture" (The CW, 8:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
When Jackie devises an offbeat plan of how to serve the customers at the diner, it's anything but smooth service; Dan begins to sell some furniture to make room for his new bride and her things.

The Conners - "Yard Sale, Phone Fail and a College Betrayal" (The CW, 9:00PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
As Louise starts to move into the Conner's home, Dan decides to sell the furniture set he bought for Roseanne when they were first married; but finds it harder than he thought it would be.

The Conners - "Three Exes, Role Playing and a Waterbed" (The CW, 9:30PM ET/PT) (Repeat)
Darlene brings Nick to the hardware store, where they run into Ben, who invites Nick to join him at The Lunch Box to watch a Bears game; Dan tries to spruce up the bedroom while Louise is out on the road; Jackie meets Logan's mom.

Tyler Perry's House of Payne - "The Chicken or the Egg" (BET, 9:00PM ET/PT)
Curtis searches for reasonably priced eggs in the middle of a city-wide egg shortage; Lisa attempts to gain professional work experience by going to work with the Paynes.

Tyler Perry's Assisted Living - "Dying for Love" (BET, 9:30PM ET/PT)
Cora has been contacted by an old crush from high school who shows up, and to her surprise, he proposes; Leah gets concerned when Jeremy starts coming home later than usual and spending time with single friends she's never met.

Complete TV Listings


Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows (Week of September 16)

Tuesday, September 17

  • George Clooney (Roseanne/The Facts of Life/ E/R (1984-1985) - Catch George on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Kaitlin Olson (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia/The Mick) - Kaitlin appears on Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11:35pm on ABC.
  • Lily Collins (Emily in Paris) - Lily is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Brian Tyree Henry (HouseBroken/Atlanta) - Brian appears on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Ms. Pat (The Ms. Pat Show) - Ms. Pat is a guest on Late Night with Seth Meyers at 12:36am on NBC.
  • Ronny Chieng (Young Rock/Ronny Chieng: International Student) - Ronny hosts Comedy Central's The Daily Show at 11pm.
  • Sherri Shepherd (Mr. Iglesias/Trial & Error/Sherri/Less Than Perfect/Suddenly Susan) - Sherri stops by Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen at 11pm on Bravo.
  • Halle Berry (Living Dolls) - E! News has an interview with Halle at 11pm on E!.
  • Eva Longoria (Only Murders in the Building/Telenovela) - NBC's Today has Hispanic Heritage Month: Eva Longoria Shining a Light on Latina Small Businesses some time between 7-9am.
  • Josh Gad (Wolf Like Me/Avenue 5/The Comedians/1600 Penn/Back to You) - Josh talks about his new children's book PictureFace Lizzy on Live with Kelly and Mark (check your listings) and on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Wilmer Valderrama (That '70s Show) - Wilmer talks about An American Story: Everyone's Invited on NBC's Today in the 10am hour.
  • Keegan-Michael Key (Schmigadoon!/Friends from College/Playing House/Gary Unmarried) - Keegan-Michael talks about Transformers One on CBS Mornings some time between 7-9am.
  • Ashley Park (Emily in Paris/Only Murders in the Building/Girls5eva/Nightcap - Ashley talks about Emily in Paris ABC's Good Morning America some time between 7-9am and on Live with Kelly and Mark, so check your listings.
  • Eve (Eve) - Eve opens up in her new memoir, Who's That Girl?, on Tamron Hall, so check your local listings.
  • Sebastian Maniscalco (Bookie) - Sebastian chats with the ladies of The View on ABC at 11am ET/10am CT-PT.
  • Marlon Wayans (Marlon/The Wayans Bros.) - Marlon talks about his Wild Child comedy tour on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Joel McHale (Animal Control/The Great Indoors/Community) - Joel talks about Fox's Crime Scene Kitchen on Access Daily with Mario & Kit, so check your local listings.
  • Jaleel White (Family Matters/Grown Ups) - Jaleel discusses his new game show Flip Side on The Talk on CBS at 2pm ET/1pm CT-PT.


New on DVD and Blu-ray

Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series Check It Out! - The Complete Series Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray) Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD) Young Sheldon - The Complete Series

04/03 - Too Close for Comfort - The Complete Series (VEI)
04/08 - Check It Out! - The Complete Series (VEI)
05/21 - Frasier (2023) - Season One
06/11 - The Jeffersons - The Complete Series (2024 Release)
06/11 - Welcome Back, Kotter - The Complete Series (2024 Release)
07/05 - Letterkenny - Season 12 (Final Season)
07/30 - Ted Lasso - The Richmond Way (The Complete Series) (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/10 - Rick and Morty - The Complete Seasons 1-7
09/10 - Ted - Season One (Blu-ray) (DVD)
09/17 - Bewitched - The Complete Series - 60th Anniversary Special Edition (Blu-ray)
09/17 - Top Cat - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)
09/24 - Friends - The Complete Series (4K Ultra HD)
09/24 - Young Sheldon - The Complete Seventh Season (DVD) / The Complete Series (DVD) (Blu-ray)
10/08 - Curb Your Enthusiasm - The Complete Twelfth Season / The Complete Series
10/22 - Veep - The Complete Series (Blu-ray)

More Recent and Upcoming TV DVD and Blu-ray Releases / TV Shows on DVD, Blu-ray and Prime Video / DVD Reviews Archive


Recent SitcomsOnline.com News Blog Posts

09/17 - 76th Primetime Emmy Award Winners; Emmys Draw Largest Audience in 3 Years
09/16 - George Lopez Gets Prime Video Special; Netflix Orders His & Hers
09/15 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 16, 2024)
09/14 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Tim Meadows to Star in New Sitcom DMV; Casting for The Office Followup Series
09/13 - ALF Anniversary Marathon on Shout! TV; HBO Orders Tim Robinson Comedy
09/12 - MeTV Halloween 2024 Events; CBS' Nate Bargatze Holiday Special
09/11 - HBO Orders Rachel Sennott Comedy to Series; Jaleel White Hosts New Game Show Flip Side
09/10 - CBS Fall 2024 Preview Special; The Franchise Premieres October 6 on HBO
09/09 - Lifetime Orders Christmas in the Spotlight; Hulu Sets Murdaugh Murders Series
09/08 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 9, 2024)
09/07 - SitcomsOnline Digest: Only Murders in the Building Renewed for Fifth Season; Plex Adds Knots Landing and More
09/06 - Hulu's Child Stars Documentary; Keke Palmer Heads to The 'Burbs for Peacock
09/05 - Dancing with the Stars Season 33 Cast; Tia Mowry We TV Docuseries
09/04 - Nick at Nite Acquires Modern Family; SNL Stars Go Live on Peacock Next Thursday
09/03 - The CW Swaps Two Nights for Fall 2024 Schedule; Retta Returns to HGTV
09/02 - TV Marathons on Labor Day 2024 Include Barney Miller
09/01 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of September 2, 2024)
08/31 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at New Netflix Comedy; One Tree Hill Sequel in the Works
08/30 - Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween 2024; Wizards Beyond Waverly Place Premieres October 29
08/29 - Based on a True Story Returns in November on Peacock; Nikki Glaser to Host Golden Globes
08/28 - Acapulco Renewed for Season 4; Kiernan Shipka Max Movie
08/27 - Everybody Still Hates Chris Premieres September 25 on Comedy Central; Final Season of Somebody Somewhere Returns in October
08/26 - Frasier Returns September 19 on Paramount+ for Season 2; Ted Danson's Netflix Comedy Premieres in November
08/25 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 26, 2024)
08/24 - SitcomsOnline Digest: First Look at New Netflix Comedy; TNT Picks Up The Librarians: The Next Chapter
08/23 - FETV's Sunday Mystery Matinee Block; Glen Powell Is Chad Powers for Hulu Comedy
08/22 - Pee-wee Forever on August 27 on Shout! TV; The Lincoln Lawyer Is Back This October
08/21 - NBC Moves Premiere Due to VP Debate; Seth Meyers Gets Live Primetime Special
08/20 - The Rockford Files 50th Anniversary Marathons on Great Entertainment Television (get.); Bad Sisters Returning for Season 2
08/19 - Schitt's Creek Stars to Host Emmys on ABC; Madison Iseman Joins USA Network Series
08/18 - Sitcom Stars on Talk Shows; This Week in Sitcoms (Week of August 19, 2024)
08/17 - SitcomsOnline Digest: The Drew Carey Show Now Streaming for Free; Hulu Picks Up Mid-Century Modern Comedy