Seven Shows for Summer

It's official: Summer television is no longer a graveyard haunted by the ghosts of episodes past. With major networks finally beginning to realize their dream of a 12-month programming schedule and cable nets aggressively building their original programming rosters, there's enough on the idiot box to keep even the most discerning idiot satisfied. Here are seven summer shows that, combined with air conditioning and the absence of poison oak, make your living room as inviting a vacation destination as any.

"Swingtown"
CBS, Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT
The pitch: A 1970s period drama that explores the changing attitudes towards sex, marriage and intimacy by examining the relationships in a suburban neighborhood where it's the lack of boundaries—not the good fences—that makes good neighbors.

The pros: A gorgeous cast, well-curated '70s AM hits and plenty of naughtiness. "Swingtown" started a little wobbly. Its premise is difficult to carry off on CBS, making it initially as sleazy and coy as a coin-operated peep show. But once its characters started to reveal themselves, the show found its footing, particularly in Susan Miller (Molly Parker), a new arrival who is as excited by the new possibilities as she is terrified.

The primer: For those who missed the first few installments, free full episodes are available at CBS.com.

"Mad Men"
AMC, New episodes begin July 27 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
The pitch: In the world of advertising, not all is as it appears. This was particularly true in the 1960s, when laws governing advertising were more lenient toward pleasure peddlers like the ones at Sterling Cooper, the show's eventful ad agency.

The pros: If you never got into "The Wire" and are desperate to reclaim your pop culture literacy, "Mad Men" has all the buzz of "The Wire" in its prime and is twice as easy to digest. The first season is a technical marvel. It has already nabbed the prestigious Peabody Award and won Golden Globes for Best Drama and Best Actor for Jon Hamm, who plays his character, Don Draper, with stunning restraint.

The primer: The season one DVD boxed set is out now. AMC is also showing a season one marathon on July 20.

"Project Runway"
Bravo, New episodes begin July 16th at 9 p.m. ET/PT
The pitch: Unless you're still using rabbit ears, you know it already: Twelve catty fashion designers compete against each other, but in the end, only one will successfully thread the needle.

The pros: The fifth season is promising some special surprises. Lifetime was able to snatch "Runway" out from under Bravo for all seasons after this one, and the show's production team, which has an exclusive deal, won't be able to leave with it. You can bet they'll be trying to go out with a bang.

The primer: No need to catch up with "Runway," but if you've never seen it, Googling "Christian Siriano" will give you a taste of what you're in for.

"Burn Notice"
USA, New episodes begin July 10 at 10 p.m. ET/PT
The pitch: When is a sun-soaked Miami Beach vacation no fun at all? When you're a CIA spy who has been "burned"—stripped of your name, Social Security number and bank accounts—and you have no idea why.