by Jennifer Squires Biller

Summer is here, Tubers! And when you’re not dipping your toes in the pool or the sand at the beach or in the backyard to grill some burgers, you may want to settle down and watch some quality television.

I know. You don’t normally think of summer as the season for quality television. Well, folks, times have changed.

The past few years, cable networks have stepped up with spectacular summer programming that in some cases puts many of the networks’ fall shows to shame. I’m talking about shows like Rescue Me, Nip/Tuck, Saving Grace and Psych, to name a few.

There are a couple summer shows that I wanted to watch last summer, but I just didn’t have time. (I know. I’m a bad TV blogger.) I was particularly interested in My Boys and Mad Men, as well as catching up on Burn Notice. I’m hoping to get on board with those before they debut their new seasons this summer. (A special thank you to TNT and TBS for making part of that effort easier by sending one of the coolest marketing packages ever: comfy Pajama Gram pajamas and pilot episodes and back episodes of shows like My Boys, The Closer, and Saving Grace. Honestly, more networks should do this. It’s tough to talk myself into watching a show when I’ve missed the first season, so sending the best episodes from that season is a sure way to get me hooked. Bravo TNT and TBS!)

So, the good news is that there are plenty of shows for every TV lovers’ taste. Million Dollar Password, one of my favorite game shows as a child, is back on CBS for game show fans. Drama lovers have Saving Grace, The Closer, and Burn Notice. Those who prefer comedy, don’t miss My Boys, Psych, and Monk. (Sadly Psych and Monk don’t return until July though.)

The only bad news here is that Rescue Me and Nip/Tuck on FX aren’t on the summer schedule at all. They’ll return in the fall or winter.

I know you’ve probably got better things to do this summer than watch television, but if you’re on the lookout for some quality shows, you do have some great choices. My picks are in red below with the debut dates. As you know, I rarely pimp reality shows because I detest them, so my picks mostly are for quality scripted shows. It's my blog, so I go with what I love. (My apologies to reality show junkies.) Enjoy!

Thursday, June 19

Penn & Teller: Bulls--t!, 9 p.m., Showtime

Tuesday, June 24

Wipeout, 8 p.m., ABC

America's Got Talent, 9 p.m., NBC

Wednesday, June 25

The Baby Borrowers, 8 p.m., NBC

Shear Genius, 10 p.m., Bravo

Friday, June 27

Dance Machine, 8 p.m., ABC

Sunday, June 29

The Factory, 10 p.m., Spike

Tuesday, July 1

Celebrity Family Feud, 8 p.m., NBC

Secret Life of the American Teenager, 8 p.m., ABC

FamilyI Survived a Japanese Game Show, 9 p.m., ABC

Thursday, July 10

Greatest American Dog, 8 p.m., CBS

Burn Notice, 10 p.m., USA

Friday, July 11