Rueben's Ramblings

Teen Wolf

With summer – for better or worse – at an end and the new fall season now upon us, it’s time to take a look at the winners and losers (as well as a few shows that are on the fence) of the summer TV season:

WINNERS:

Awkward

Teen Wolf and Awkward (MTV) – There was some doubt about the Teen Wolf remake before it aired: would it be campy, would it be too dark, would it be believable. All of the concerns over the show were quickly swept away as the first season rolled out, making an impression and building quite a following among the viewing audience. Meanwhile, the new comedy Awkward came out of left field, touching a chord with the viewing audience and becoming the big hit of the summer.

Falling Skies

Falling Skies (TNT) – The idea of Noah Wylie battling aliens in this invasion series had plenty of naysayers and hasn’t won everyone over; but despite its detractors the show proved to be the best new drama of the summer in terms of longevity of great ratings.

The Closer

The Closer and Rizzoli and Isles (TNT) – Once again, these returning series were the top two summer shows of the year, bringing in a staggering 7 million plus viewers nearly every week; neither of them really losing momentum from last summer, and in some instances, building on their already impressive ratings.

Rizzoli & Isles

Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) – This teen soap opera-murder mystery is probably the best guilty pleasure series of this summer – much like it was last year. Between all the twists and turns in the storylines and the intoxicating relationships, fans are chomping at the bit to learn more about who “A” is and what will happen next to the girls and those they love.

Pretty Little Liars

Switched at Birth (ABC Family) – This new series took summer by storm, making quite an impression on the viewing audience and pulling in terrific ratings for the cable network. The storylines were never trite or simplistic; never offering a white-picket fence answer to the troubles facing the Kennish and Vasquez families; but giving plenty of thrills, laughs, heartbreak and redemption.

Switched at Birth

Necessary Roughness and Suits (USA Network) – Never let it be said that the USA Network doesn’t know how to provide great programming. They have been the number one cable network for five years and with these two new shows now on their roster the network has cemented its reputation as a network that delivers every, single time.

Necessary Roughness

LOSERS:

Suits

Hawthorne and Men of a Certain Age (TNT) – Sadly, for the fans of both these shows, they were unceremoniously canceled without much fanfare and very little forewarning. And while Men of a Certain Age received more critical acclaim (not to mention an Emmy nomination for actor Andre Braugher) than Hawthorne, it is hard to see shows end without getting the chance to provide resolution to open storylines.

Hawthorne

Eureka (Syfy) – Yes, the show has another season of episodes left to air (including their Christmas episode); but that doesn’t negate the fact that the cable network unfairly gave the fans’ hope that the show would get a sixth season and then pulled the rug out from under them as well as the cast and crew of this captivating and entertaining series. The sci-fi TV landscape won’t be the same without all the geniuses/residents of Eureka.

Men of a Certain Age

The Protector (Lifetime) – This new police drama never really stood a chance, being bumped to a different night after only six airings, making way for another police drama on the network, then being quietly moved one hour later on the schedule. It was a recipe for disaster that could have been avoided if the network had just given it a fair shot like it has done for most of its remaining programs.

Eureka

ON THE FENCE:

The Protector

The Nine Lives of Chloe King (ABC Family) – Unlike Switched at Birth, which received an additional episode order, Chloe King is still languishing in the ‘will they or won’t they’ realm of the network’s possible cutting block. C’mon, ABC Family, give this delightful show a break and pick it up for some more episodes. After all, we need some resolutions for that insane cliffhanger that you gave the viewing audience. Give this show a fair chance.

NOTE: Deadline.com is stating that ABC Family has canceled The Nine Lives of Chloe King while an official announcement still needs to be made by the network.

The Nine Lives of Chloe King

The Lying Game (ABC Family) – The same thing can be said for The Lying Game which will be ending its late summer run in October. The ratings for this ‘twins separated at birth who find each other while in their teens only to slowly discover there are a lot of weird circumstances behind their lives’ show isn’t that bad and it’s slowly building an audience. Allow it to give some answers to the mysteries behind Sutton’s and Emma’s past before you do something you might regret.

NOTE: Deadline.com is stating that ABC Family has given The Lying Game a back 12-episode order; but an official announcement from the network has yet to be made.

The Lying Game

Torchwood: Miracle Day (Starz) – If you read Twitter or nearly any other news site online, you’ll discover two very strong camps where this new version of Torchwood is concerned. One side is really upset by the direction the show has taken, deeply regretting the change of locale and many other changes to the show not to mention their disdain for the direction of the storylines. The other side has either been entertained or has thoroughly enjoyed the changes and new directions. Regardless of sides, the sad truth is there may not be a home for this once much beloved series and that would just be a crying shame to see it end on such a sour note.

Torchwood: Miracle Day

Which shows did you enjoy the most this summer? Which ones ended up being a disappointment to you? Do you have a favorite guilty pleasure show and which show(s) did you make appointment TV each week? Please share.

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