Summer TV Heats Up

With 54 new and returning shows premiering in August, there's bound to be something to keep you entertained on those nights when it's just to hot to sleep. This is especially true if you're a fan of reality series. A few new shows sound particularly hopeful, while returning favorites are a welcome respite after the summer's entertainment dry spell.

Below are the ten shows I'm most looking forward to checking out, but if you want to see a list and description of all 54 shows, I've included a link at the end of the article.

August 4th: Addicted to Beauty (Oxygen)

This show looks as shallow, vapid and repulsive as its cast of Medi-Spa employees with their botox-laden foreheads, trout-pout lips and ability to create drama from the utterly mundane. In short, it's destined to be the kind of hideous train wreck of self absorption that you can't stand to watch but can't bear to turn away from.

August 6th: Police Women of Broward County (TLC)

This 10-part docudrama series follows a group of four florida police women as they face gang busts, car chases and undercover sting operations, but the drama doesn't stop at the end of the shift. After years of watching strong women law enforcement officers on Cops, this show may not shine a new light on womankind, but it's got to be an improvement on The Real Housewives of dot-dot-dot.

August 7th: Monk (USA)

Now in its 8th and final season, this show is formulaic with a capital "f." But that hardly matters when you have a show this consistently entertaining due to the charming performance by Tony Shalhoub. That's why he's been nominated for an Emmy Award seven years in a row. Besides, I'm old enough now that I can admit that I like a nice little murder mystery. Monk is my generation's Matlock.

August 9th: Comedy Central Roast: Joan Rivers (Comedy Central)

Not for those with tender ears, these Comedy Central Roasts are bleep-riddled cavalcades of smut and depravity. And they are not to be missed. This year, Queen of the D-List, Kathy Griffin is roast master general for comedy legend and plastic surgery pioneer Joan Rivers.

August 9th: America's Best Dance Crew (MTV)

If you've watched America's Got Talent only to be convinced "no, it does not," you really need to watch America's Best Dance Crew. Now in its 4th season, this show boasts the most amazing live performances by young urban dance groups you'll ever see. Their acrobatic flips, turns and faultless timing will have you gasping and cheering. Even better, it'll make you believe that yes, America does so have talent (just on a different show).

August 16: Mad Men (AMC)

Now, I've never really gotten into this show myself, but I know enough people that sing its praises that I can safely recommend it. Oh, and it did snag another 16 Emmy nominations this year. Including Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress. So, its pretty safe to say that if I ever gave this show a real chance I'd probably decide that it's... outstanding.

August 17: Flipping Out (Bravo)

The star of this reality series isn't just tortured by his obsessive-compulsive behavior. He make sure everyone around him is tortured by it. And while its sometimes painful to watch this professional house flipper flip out over the littlest thing (like how much ice is in his soda), I can't deny that the homes he remodels are works of art. And I am curious to see what he's going to do now that the housing market is kaput.

August 20: Project Runway (Lifetime)

This is the premier I've been waiting all year for! The 6th season of this show was tied up in courts for over a year while Bravo and Lifetime fought for the rights to air the new season (Lifetime won and Bravo retaliated with the lukewarm rehash Fashion Show). This year they've moved the Project Runway from New York to Los Angeles which should bring a different flavor to the challenges and the fashions. The question is, with a location change, network change and after sitting on the shelf for over a year, will there still be an audience? I'll let you know.

August 23rd: What Would Brian Boitano Make? (Food Network)

Olympic gold medal figure skater (and South Park punch line) Brian Boitano is a surprisingly fun and easygoing cooking show host. He plans meals and parties for family and friends and gets tips and lessons from moms, chefs and even the Internet. This show puts Brian's showmanship to good use and the Internet sneak peeks illustrate that even a serious meal should include a hearty helping of fun.

August 26: Top Chef (Bravo)

So this season we have two chefs from my own hometown of Seattle competing against chefs from L.A., New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia and even France. This show is the most serious and challenging of the cooking competition shows, but this year I'll really be watching to see how my home girls do.

So not a bad bunch of shows to premier a month before the "real" season begins in Fall. Let me know if any of these shows strike your fancy (or just chill you to the bone). If there's a show you think I should check out, be sure to let me know in the comments section. And be sure to check back for my picks of the upcoming Fall TV Season soon.

Complete List of August Premiers