Summer is the off season for most of our favorite TV shows, but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing good to watch.
Here are some shows you can binge on while you stay out of the heat for the next few months and wait for networks to roll out new seasons of our their tent polls in the fall:
When You Want to Laugh at Lovable Outsiders
Forget House of Cards and Scandal. The best political show on TV right now is Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ pitch-perfect satire of life on the fringe of the Oval Office.
If you still haven’t taken the plunge, now is the time. Writers Robert Carlock and Tina Fey have blended whit and quirk beautifully in this new(ish) Netflix comedy series.
The Increasingly Poor Decisions of Todd Margaret
Created, written by and starring Arrested Development’s David Cross, this underrated 2012 comedy series is not only streaming on Netflix, but it is also being picked up for a third season to air sometime next year. Better late than never. This summer is the perfect time to catch up.
SNL Alum Will Forte stars as the title character in Fox’s unique, hilarious take on a post-apocalyptic world.
When You Want to Be on the Edge of Your Couch
Starring Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan, this serial-killer crime drama is creepy, dark and oh-so-addictive. It’s coming back early next year, so catch up this summer so you’re ahead of the game for season three.
The new Netflix series is dark, gritty and captivating, with expert acting and pacing that will keep you hooked.
Directed by M. Night Shyamalan, this show will be worth giving a shot—particularly for fans of Twin Peaks, from which this show draws clear inspiration.
When You Want to Binge-Watch 10 Hours of Drama
Marvel’s first collaboration with Netflix shows a darker, more violent side of superheroes, but also displays the main character’s struggle with his Catholic faith. It’s deep and addicting.
Now streaming on Hulu, Empire has all the drama, talent, and musical prowess of a top contending show. Plus, the show stars Terrence Howard and one of the characters’ names is “Cookie.” Win-Win-Win.
This “event series” follows David Duchovny as an LA cop trying to track down cult leader Charles Manson in the late 1960s. The result is a fascinating crime drama retelling of historic events. NBC will stream all 13 episodes of the “event series” after the first episode premieres at the end of May.
When You Want to Watch Mindless ‘Reality’ TV
Fitness nuts braving insane obstacle courses using nothing but brute force. What else would you want to watch all summer as you sit on your couch eating junk food?
You’ll have to wait till July to live vicariously through Bear Grylls on his latest crazy adventures. But obviously, it’s worth the wait.
Stand-up comedy followed by a critique of the routine so you don’t even have to decide for yourself if it was just you who didn’t get the jokes.