What to Watch: Summer 2009 TV Guide

Summer used to mean TV rerun hell, but that is so no longer the case. From HBO's Hung, which is a about a man with an oversized appendage, to NYC Prep, Bravo's reality answer to Gossip Girl, discover summer's new addictions and check out what's in store for your some of your favorite returning shows.

Check out our picks for this summer's best must-watch TV.

America's Got Talent (Season 4)

NBC - Tuesday, June 23rd, 9:00 pm

It might be a little difficult to top the force to reckon with that some people like to call Susan Boyle, after her groundbreaking performance on Britain's Got Talent, but rest assured be that on this whole, wide continent there is some spectacular talent still to be found. So much talent, in fact, that you can expect a two-hour premiere filled with it on June 23 as well as an additional hour on June 24. Get ready to watch dreams come true America!

NYC Prep

Bravo - Tuesday, June 23rd, 10:00 pm

If the faux-Upper East Side drama on Gossip Girl doesn't cut it for you realists out there, Bravo has heard your prayers and answered them with its' newest and possibly soon to be hit show NYC Prep. Follow the still faux drama (let's face it) of a real deal batch of spoiled prep school kids who are ready to show those Cali kids on the Hills that New York can do it better.

Hung

HBO - Sunday, June 28th, 10:00 pm

In the business of writing, blogging, or whatever it's called these days, sensational headlines are just a part of the package. But in this case, what you read is actually what you get.

HBO's latest dramady, follows the adventures and of a simple man, who is decidedly er, 'well hung,' and is determined to make it work to his advantage. Coming to term with his physiological gift is only the first step. "I've got a big dick, now what do I do with it?" We will certainly find out.

Check out the Hung promo below:


Great American Road Trip

NBC - Tuesday, July 7th, 8:00 pm

Roadtrips are great. Families can be great. However roadtrips combined with families sounds like trouble. On this adrenaline filled adventure, seven families square off to compete in a cross-country mission, tackling obstacle course after challenge, after obstacle course -- and we can only imagine that they all wrestle with some serious family demons along the way.

Entourage

HBO - Sunday, July 12th, 10:30 pm

It's rare to come across a show where every character has so much to offer, and that's what makes every season of this Hollywood drama worth watching. The antics of Ari, Lloyd and all the rest of the crew are simply a necessary part of the summer schedule. This season's guest appearances include Zac Efron, Lebron James and Tom Brady.

Hell's Kitchen (Season 6)

Fox - Tuesday, July 21st, 8:00 pm

It's questionable whether or not America really needs another season of Gordon Ramsay crushing the confidence and dreams of a batch of eager chefs, but after his recent publicity for letting his tongue slip a little too far, we'll watch just to see if he turns over a new leaf and decides to use positive reinforcement this time around instead.

Mad Men

AMC - Sunday, August 16th, 10:00 pm

Get a crash course in 1960s American culture with AMC's smash hit, penned by Sopranos writer Matthew Weiner. Mad Men returns for its' third season this August as six time Emmy winner.

Project Runway (Season 6)

Lifetime - Thursday, August 20th, 10:00 pm

After a five season run, it's safe to say that this show contains a few elements that can never get old: Heidi Klum, designer fashion, odd contestants, and Tim Gunn. Hopefully after another season of hearing Tim tell contestants to "Make it Work," we can finally start applying that advice to our own lives.

Courtesy of: www.GayWired.com

FOX Lines Up Summer Slate with the Return of"So You Think You Can Dance"

Fox is kicking off its summer slate in late May, starting with the return of "So You Think You Can Dance" and new drama "Mental."

As previously announced, "Dance" launches its fifth season on Thursday, May 21, with a two-hour special (the night after the "American Idol" finale, as has become tradition at Fox). "Dance" will also air a two-hour special on Wednesday, May 27.

Show then will fall into a regular series pattern, with two hour performance shows on Wednesdays and one-hour weekly results shows Thursdays at 9 p.m.

The new drama "Mental," meanwhile, will air Fridays at 9 p.m. starting May 22. Fox TV Studios and Fox Intl. Channels shot 13 episodes of "Mental," starring Chris Vance and Annabella Sciorra, in the fall at Fox TeleColombia in Bogota, Colombia.

Simultaneous to its run on Fox, "Mental" will air day-and-date on Fox Intl. Channels outlets in 35 countries.

"Mental" will be paired with the return of reality skein "Don't Forget the Lyrics," which will air Fridays at 8 p.m. starting May 22. Then, on July 3, reality competish "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?" will take over that slot.

Also in the summer, Fox will air the next edition of "Hell's Kitchen," which kicks off Tuesday, July 21 at 8 p.m. with a two-hour opener. Show will continue to air in the Tuesday 8 p.m. slot.

Gordon's "Hell's Kitchen" Is Back!

No-nonsense chef Gordon Ramsay returns for a fifth season of take-no-prisoners mentoring with a new crew of 16 aspiring chefs, whom he puts through a series of stressful, profanity-laced challenges.

The winner who manages to please the demanding Ramsay will win the position of head chef at Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa.

In other Ramsey news...

Fox plans Gordon Ramsay cook-along, but no F-bombs are allowed.

How will he do it?

Fox is looking to do at least one live special where "Hell's Kitchen" star Gordon Ramsay shows viewers how to make a dinner.

The program will urge viewers to make a three-course homemade meal along with the world-famous chef. "It has been picked up, and I can't wait for it to go live," Ramsay said Wednesday. "My frustration is that most cooking shows don't really cook ... their ingredients are prepped earlier, that's not cooking ... it's nice to show the journey from live ingredient to (finished meal)."

No air date has been set for Ramsay's modern-day take on Julia Child, though the network is eyeing spring or fall. If the one-off is successful, the network hopes to do more specials, though it doesn't see the format as likely working as a weekly series.

The format is based on the chef's U.K. version of the project called "Cook Along," which prompted thousands of viewers to hold cooking parties along with the show. Viewers are told which ingredients they'll need ahead of time and then are breezily led through the cooking process. Fox plans to intercut shots of a few families cooking as well.

Last year, Fox gave Ramsay a blind commitment for an as-yet-unannounced new series and the live special as part of a new overall deal with the chef.