TVWW's Returning Summer Series Sneak Peek: Part II
If June wasn't packed enough with returning series, July and August promise season premieres of some of TV's hottest hits, including Breaking Bad and Warehouse 13.
It's also the beginning of the end for two particular faves, as final seasons start for Damages and The Closer. Even public TV is ready for inspection — there's a fresh run of Inspector Lewis and an Inspector Morse prequel.
Really, the year's only downtime for series premieres anymore is during big events — like that little attraction July 27-Aug. 12 called the London Olympics. We've got the scoop on viewing that, too.
Also, feel free to revisit TVWW's returning-series slate for June. And don't forget our new summer shows round-up for June, July and August.)
July 1
WEEDS
Showtime half-hour; Sundays at 10 p.m. ET
"Who got smoked?" is the question to be answered in Season 8 after Nancy's New York shenanigans.
EPISODES
Showtime comedy; Sundays at 10:30 p.m. ET
Matt LeBlanc's self-parody starts Season 2 with the British married couple who write his latest sitcom and coddle his ego.
ENDEAVOUR
PBS Masterpiece mystery; one-shot show (check local listings)
Every great investigator has to start somewhere. For Endeavour Morse, this 1960s case is it. Shaun Evans plays a younger version of the detective made famous by the late John Thaw.
July 8
INSPECTOR LEWIS
PBS Masterpiece mystery; Sundays through July 29 (check local listings)
Back for Series V is Kevin Whately as the down-to-earth detective, with Laurence Fox as partner Hathaway, in four new cases.
July 9
THE CLOSER
TNT drama; Mondays at 9 p.m. ET
Kyra Sedgwick's seven-season run ends with 6 final episodes. Remind yourself what's up with this rewind.
July 10
WHITE COLLAR
USA crime tale; Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET
Will Neal run and never look back? Find out when Season 4 hits the air.
COVERT AFFAIRS
USA spy adventure; Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET
Annie's back from "vacation" for Season 3. Here's a Season 2 recap and a new season sneak-peek:
July 11
DAMAGES
DirecTV legal thriller; Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET
Glenn Close and Rose Byrne face off for 10 final episodes built around a whistleblower website. Look for Ryan Philippe, Jenna Elfman, John Hannah and Close's Albert Nobbs co-star Janet McTeer.
July 15
BREAKING BAD
AMC suspenser; Sundays at 10 p.m. ET
Go behind the scenes of Season 5 on location in New Mexico with Emmy-winning stars Bryan Cranston and Aaron Paul.
July 23
WAREHOUSE 13
Syfy adventure; Monday at 9 p.m. ET
Season 4 of fancifully seeking supernatural objects now leads into more serious stuff.
ALPHAS
Syfy sleuther; Mondays at 10 p.m. ET
It's Season 2 for David Straithairn's team of super-gifted humans who track others with similar powers.
July 27
LONDON OLYMPICS
NBC-owned channels, through Aug. 12
The network now owned by Comcast is promising 5,535 hours of coverage, via broadcast, cable/satellite, mobile and online platforms. The NBC broadcast network alone is scheduled for 272 1/2 hours. You'll also find Olympic sports on NBC Sports Network, Bravo, CNBC, MSNBC, and Spanish-language Telemundo. Once again, special cable networks will be devoted for basketball and for soccer. There's also a new 3D channel. NBCOlympics.com is set to stream all 302 medal competitions in all 32 sports.
Aug. 12
HELL ON WHEELS
AMC western; Sundays at 9 p.m. ET
Construction on the transcontinental railroad continues into Season 2 as Anson Mount, Common and their cast also cope with fallout from slavery and the Civil War. Here's a quick recap of Season 1:
Aug. 17
BOSS
Starz political drama; Fridays at 9 p.m. ET
Kelsey Grammer's iron-fisted (but ailing) Chicago mayor starts Season 2 with a change of heart, ready to chart his legacy.