The return of Mr. Summer television was never supposed to be a beach distraction.
It was a testing ground forshows about nothing.
A graveyard for shows without ambition.
The season ofKing of QueensandFriendsreruns.
The streaming services run on their own schedule, so you know quality content is coming year-around.
Lets take a look at our staff picks for Summer TV shows well be watching…
But last summerFriendsco-creator Marta Kauffman gave the worldGrace and Frankie.
All of the stars Tomlin, Fonda, Martin Sheen and Sam Waterston are over the age of 70.
Its a show that helps combat the rampant ageism on TV.
Their supreme hilarity and commanding presences remind us why we have been obsessed with them since9 to 5.
The second season ofGrace and Frankieis now available on Netflix.
Also probably be white and male.
The semi-autobiographical 12-episode series hits Netflix on May 20.
Alec Bojalad
Preacher
Jesse Custer isnt your average holy man.
He loves his whiskey.
His best friend is an Irish vampire.
He also has demonsliterally.
The road to the Heavenly Father is paved with thorns and soaked in blood.
You could say he survives fire and brimstone rather than preaching it.
It promises to be tumultuous.
Meaning, minds will be blown.
We have a feeling were gong to worship this series.
Preacherpremieres on Sunday, May 22 at 10:00 p.m. on AMC.
The critical acclaim was there, but it seemed to be a sleeper with audiences.
The second season ofBloodlinehits Netflix on May 27.
ButOutcastdeals with a very different kind of horror: demonic possession.
The scares inOutcastdont look like theyre going to be of the post-apocalyptic gross-out variety this time around.
Instead, expect a spookier more psychological take on things.
Outcastarrives on Cinemax on June 3rd.
Feed the Beastdebuts Sunday June 5th at 10:00 p.m. on AMC.
They are both victims and perpetrators of societys treatment of women.
If the second season can keep its unsettling drama grounded in character-driven angst, I dont see that changing.
UnRealseason 2 premieresJune 6that 10:00 p.m. on Lifetime.
Kayti Burt
O.J.
: Made in America
More than 20 years after The Trial of the Century, the story of O.J.
Simpsons murder trial is having a moment.American Crime Story; The People V. O.J.
Simpsonjust absolutely killed it (no pun intended) over 10 brilliant episodes on FX earlier this year.
WhileThe People V. O.J.
Simpsonfocused on the trial, itself,O.J.
The usually hyperbole-adverse writer and cultural critic Chuck Klosterman hasdescribed itas the greatest thing ESPN has ever produced.
I almost cant believe how revelatory it is.
Sign us up, Chuck.
Fear notits completely unrelated to the tragically short-lived 1995 series of the same name.
Unraveling the secret further reveals that the slaughter has gone on for decades.
Behind mansion doors, speculation mounts that one of their own may have been the killers accomplice.
They desperately struggle to piece their reputation back together even as bloodstained hands threaten to tear it apart.
American Gothicpremieres on June 22ndat 10:00 p.m. on CBS.
(The show is fromLost Girlcreator Michelle Lovretta, and has the same quippy, Joss Whedon-esque humor.)
Killjoysalso benefits from keeping its character focus tight on a main trio: Dutch, John, and Davin.
Dutch and John are best friends.
John and Davin are quasi-estranged brothers.
And Dutch and Davin are in some kind of complicated romantic (or at least sexual) relationship.
Its all deliciously complicated, but doesnt distract from the undercover missions and space battles.
The Quad is ruled by an elite few who live apart from the people and worlds they exploit.
At the end of season one, class tensions came to an explosive head.
We cant wait to find out what happens next.
Killjoysseason 2 premieresJuly 1st at 9 p.m.on Syfy.
This season,Hamiltonsuperstar Lin-Manuel Miranda and Nathan Lane, amongst others, are set to show up.
Difficult Peopleseason 2 drops on July 12th on Hulu.
Robot
Its been a rough year for cliffhangers on television.
Just askThe Walking Deadfans how they feel about cliffhangers after they eventually wake up from their rage comas.
Robotthen for doing a cliffhanger right last year.
I cant believe theres more!
Chief among them: Who is knocking on that damn door?
Mr. Robotreturns on Wednesday, July 13th at 10:00 p.m. on USA internet.
When a young boy vanishes into the night, it shakes a sleepy 1980s-era Indiana town.
The search for him goes from unnerving to bizarre and even perilous.
The first season ofStranger Thingswill be available on Netflix on July 15.
