It's almost among us, friends. Yes, not much longer now before we -- popcorn bowl in hand, phone off the hook -- gather around our televisions for the third season of the show that perhaps best epitomizes summer television: No, not True Blood -- though that returns tonight with vampires, werewolves and crazy sexcapades. It's Wipeout. I know I'm going to end up watching at least one episode of it, and I know that I will hate myself. But I don't want that for you, dear reader! I want more than for you to be lost in the mostly vast wasteland that is summer television (OK, there is a smattering of good stuff here and there). And so, before you decide to make Wipeout a part of your weekly routine after it premieres June 22, consider catching up with these five shows instead.
1. Fringe
If you're missing the kind of intricately woven mythology you got from Lost, please, for the love of God, watch Fringe. If, on the other hand, you still feel betrayed by the resolution of the series, and endless questions about Walt's mysterious specialness keep you awake and furious at night, you'll probably at least enjoy the monster-of-the-week-style episodes -- not to mention the often heartbreaking chemistry between Walter (John Noble) and Peter (Joshua Jackson).
2. Modern Family
I'm still looking for a replacement for Arrested Development's Bluth family in my heart, and these Pritchetts -- led by Ed O'Neil, Julie Bowen and Ty Burrell -- come awfully close. And they've got a Peabody behind them. (Note: I did not suggest you watch this year's other Peabody-winner, Glee, because I'm assuming you already do.) ABC is rerunning the first season on Wednesdays at 9 for your convenience.
3. Dexter
There's plenty of time between now and when Dexter picks back up again in September to get through the first four seasons. You could even make it a pretty leisurely, 2-or-3-episode-a-week marathon if you start soon. And though it's about a vigilante serial killer with a gentle streak, I dare you to find a single character you don't like. (If you've seen it, I know what you're thinking, but I try not to speak ill about the dead.)
4. Chuck
No one watches this show. Yet somehow, thanks probably to one of TV's more devoted fan bases (though perhaps not as devoted as Flashforward's?), the series has been saved from near-certain cancellation at least twice to survive to season four. Let's not take this for granted, people. It's time to see what the very small, very contained fuss is about.
5. Damages
Glenn Close is at her best when she's at her most badass. Fatal Attraction, The Sheild, Sarah Plain and Tall -- but perhaps nothing rivals her cutthroat, single-minded badassness as Patty Hewes in FX's Damages, which finished up its third season at the end of April. Be warned: It's hardly a happy three seasons, so I recommend paring it with Modern Family or, well, Wipeout, so you don't get too manic.
Any other recommendations for staving off summer TV-induced depression? Throw them out there!