As the temperatures jump up, television tends to cool down. But that doesn’t mean summer is devoid of hotly anticipated shows.
In fact, we’re about to embark on one of the most crowded warm-weather seasons ever with a vast array of first-run fare being offered by broadcast networks and cable.
Here are 10 new and returning shows that rank high on our heat index:
1. “True Blood” — And you thought all hell broke loose in Bon Temps, La., last year. Alan Ball’s outrageous vampire soap opera returns for a much-anticipated Season 3 with more sex, suspense, supernatural shenanigans and even bigger problems for Sookie (Anna Paquin) and the gang. Oh, and a pack of sexy werewolves is about to hit town. Our thirst for “True Blood” just might be unquenchable. (9 p.m. June 13, HBO)
2. “Mad Men” — Whirlwind changes appear to be in store for this critically adored, two-time Emmy winner. Hunky ad man Don Draper (John Hamm) faces life with a new startup agency and without his wife Betty (January Jones), who flew off to Reno with another guy. One thing we hope doesn’t change: The amazing quality of this series. (10 p.m. July 25, AMC)
3. “The Big C” — Behold a dark comedy that attempts to find some humor in cancer. It’s a tricky challenge, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s actress extraordinaire Laura Linney. She plays a strait-laced suburban mom and teacher, who after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, takes a go-for-the-gusto approach to life. The excellent cast also includes Oliver Platt and Gabourey Sidibe. (10:30 p.m. Aug. 16, Showtime)
4. “Futurama” — Break out those cans of Slurm and toast the return of Bender, Fry and all their pals. Back in 2003, this far-out animated comedy from “Simpsons” creator Matt Groening appeared to be dead after Fox pulled the plug. But like “Family Guy” before it, “Futurama” found new fans via DVDs and reruns. Now, it’s making a nerd-tastic return with 26 new episodes. (10 p.m. June 24, Comedy Central)
5. “Rubicon” — AMC, already the proud bearer of two stellar dramas (“Mad Men,” “Breaking Bad”), goes for the hat trick with this intense political conspiracy thriller. James Badge Dale (“The Pacific”) stars as a New York think-tank analyst who discovers that his employers are not who they seem to be. (8 p.m. Aug. 1, AMC)
6. “The Hard Times of RJ Berger” — Cross “The Wonder Years” with “Hung” and you might get this hilariously offbeat high school coming-of-age story about a scrawny teenage outcast (Paul Iacono) who gets absolutely no respect. That is, until his, um, anatomical gift is exposed to the entire school in a stunning moment that transforms him from “anonymous to infamous.” (11 p.m. Sunday, MTV)
7. “Hot in Cleveland” — No one is hotter than Betty White. So it’s not surprising that the 88-year-old legend has landed in a new sitcom. She plays a cantankerous caretaker of a house rented by three glamorous L.A.-based friends (Valerie Bertinelli, Jane Leeves and Wendie Malick) who are adjusting to life in Ohio. It’s no “Golden Girls,” but it’s worth a look. (10 p.m. June 16, TV Land)
8. “Pretty Little Liars” — This intriguing teen drama focuses on four estranged gal pals who reunite under extreme duress after their best friend suddenly vanishes. Seems that someone is sending them cryptic messages threatening to expose all their deepest, darkest secrets. It’s based on a best-selling novel. (8 p.m. Tuesday, ABC Family)
9. “Covert Affairs” — This action drama might fill the void for anyone who went into a funk after “Alias” left the air. Piper Perabo, who sort of looks like Jennifer Garner, plays a crack CIA trainee who is unexpectedly thrown into the line of fire. It has the looks of another hit for USA, which has capitalized on the character-meets-procedural formula with “Burn Notice,” “Royal Pains,” etc. (10 p.m. July 13, USA)
10. “Jersey Shore” — So vapid. So ridiculous. So addictive. But is last winter’s breakout reality show just a one-season wonder? We’re about to find out as Snooki, the Situation and company head to Miami’s South Beach for another round of drunken club scenes and hot-tub make out sessions. Let the backlash begin. (10 p.m. July 29, MTV)
Read Chuck Barney’s TV blog at http://blogs.mercurynews.com/aei/category/tv and follow him at http://twitter.com/chuckbarney.
