Entertainment

Summer Is A New Season On TV

By Judy Faber

June 9, 2006 / 4:06 PM EDT / CBS

Back in the days when there were just three networks to choose from, the television season began in the fall and lasted through late spring. Summer meant reruns and so-so replacement series.

Things are very different now.

Cable networks are scheduling their season premieres year-round, and they'll be rolling out new episodes of several shows this summer.

There's been a lot of buzz about the return of HBO's "Entourage" (Sundays at 10 p.m. ET). The comedy follows the crazy lives of rising Hollywood star Vince (Adrian Grenier) and his entourage, which includes his has-been actor brother Johnny (Kevin Dillon), his stoner pal Turtle (Jerry Ferrara) and his friend-turned-manager Eric (Kevin Connolly). The show, now in its third season, deftly manages to skewer the inner workings of the entertainment world and celebrate the powerful bond of friendship at the same time. Jeremy Piven has been nominated for an Emmy and two Golden Globes for his performance as the slimy agent Ari.

HBO's critically-acclaimed "Deadwood" is also back for a third season (Sundays at 9 p.m. ET). In its first two seasons, the show was nominated for 22 Emmys, winning seven, and also earned a Golden Globe Award. The Old West drama takes place in Deadwood, Dakota Territory; as Sheriff Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) and town boss Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) battle it out for control of the lawless gold-rush town. The show cleverly mixes fictional and real-life characters including Calamity Jane (Robin Weigert) and Wild Bill Hickock (Keith Carradine).

Sci-fi fans can't wait for the third season return of "The 4400" on the USA Network (also on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET). The drama follows the lives of 4,400 alien abductees who are suddenly returned to earth. Each has been gone a different length of time — some for decades — but they've returned at the same age they were when they were taken. Some of the abductees have returned with special abilities that often come in handy when they have to elude government agents or frightened citizens. The show stars Joel Gretsh, Jacqueline McKenzie and Chad Faust.

Other series back for new seasons this summer (with starting dates):

"The Closer" (June 12) returns for its second season on TNT. The crime drama stars Kyra Sedgwick as Deputy Police Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson, who has a knack for getting suspects to talk in the interrogation room. Sedgwick was nominated for a Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild award for her performance. The show also stars J.K. Simmons and Corey Reynolds.

"Dead Zone," (June 18) USA Network's sci-fi thriller starring Anthony Michael Hall as crime-solving psychic Johnny Smith, returns for a fifth season. The series is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. After a serious accident, Johnny was in a coma for six years. When he awoke, he found his fiancée married to another man. He also discovered that he had the power to connect with the past, present and future by shaking someone's hand or touching an object. "Dead Zone" also stars Chris Bruno and David Ogden Stiers.

"It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" (June 28) is back for a second season on FX. The comedy series stars Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, Glenn Howerton and Kaitlin Olson as four friends who run a neighborhood Irish bar in Philadelphia. Sitcom veteran Danny DeVito joins the cast this season as the father of two of the bar's owners.

"Weeds" (Aug. 14) is back for a second season on Showtime. The series stars Mary-Louise Parker in her Golden Globe-winning role as Nancy Botwin, a suburban mom who starts dealing drugs after her husband dies and leaves her penniless. It may not sound like a comedy, but there are wonderful comedic moments in the show, as well as a fine supporting cast that includes Kevin Nealon as the stoner accountant Doug and Elizabeth Perkins as Nancy's friend Celia.

By Judy Faber