Updates on Summer TV Fare

Just a few notes now that the summer season is underway...

After the second episode, it's for sure, Fran Drescher's Happily Divorced really is sad and awful.

CHAOS, the CIA comedy/drama on CBS on Saturday nights, is full of sarcasm and witty dialogue; I like it.

Master Chef has a few interesting and talented contestants and Gordon Ramsey, perhaps because he's accompanied by two of his esteemed colleagues (Joe Bastianich and Graham Elliot), is not as crass and low rent as he is on Hell's Kitchen.

Cake Boss is delightful but repetitive.

Cake Boss Buddy Valastro is as delightful as ever, but the program is too repetitive: conceive of a cake, make a cake, fight with family members at the bakery, make all Italians look bad, deliver a cake.

Keith Olbermann is back and he's as annoying and angry as he was on MSNBC.  Now on Current TV with Countown, Olbermann hasn't changed one bit.  (I've only watched clips because full episodes are not available online and Cablevision does not carry Current TV.)

Poor Ashley Herbert, the latest Bachelorette on ABC.  She's clearly in over her head.  A seemingly nice and pretty young woman, but with poor self esteem, she's too worried about what the jerky, lunkhead bachelors think of her.  She's even pining for Bentley, the guy who left after telling America how he was not attracted to her.  Note to ABC: you guys will do anything for ratings and should be ashamed at how you've allowed this woman to be embarrassed.

And a few programming reminders: Damages returns on Wednesday, July 13th; Entourage begins an eight episode arc on Sunday, July 24th.  Burn Notice is back tonight, June 23rd.  Royal Pains debuts Wednesday, June 29th.  The Closer and Rescue Me begin Monday, July 11th and Tuesday, July 12th respectively.