NBC just announced it's burning off the previous-regime sitcom Friends With Benefits starting June 25. (And yes, that's a Saturday, which tells you what the current regime thinks of the show.)
This also reminds me that I'm waaaay late in posting a list of summer programs on the networks and cable channels, so you know what to look forward to (or avoid).
Here's a belated rundown of just-debuted and upcoming summer series, all scripted. (Sorry, we're prejudiced here.)
NEW SHOWS COMING in the summer of 2011
The Protector (Sunday, June 12 at 10 p.m. ET on Lifetime) - Ally Walker (Profiler, Sons of Anarchy) plays an L.A homicide detective and divorced mother also responsible for her disabled brother. WIth Tisha Campbell-Martin and Miguel Ferrer. [Photo at top]
The Nine Lives of Chloe King (Tuesday, June 14 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC Family) - Quirky teen (Skyler Samuels of The Gates) discovers heightened abilities that may be the key to saving an ancient race.
Happily Divorced (Wednesday, June 15 at 10:30 p.m. ET on TV Land) - Fran Drescher returns as a divorced woman who still shares a house with her gay ex-husband (John Michael Higgins). Which somewhat resembles Drescher's real life.
Falling Skies (Sunday, June 19 movie premiere 9-11 p.m. ET, then Sunday at 10 p.m. ET on TNT) - ER mainstay Noah Wyle battles back as aliens invade Earth in the latest TV series from executive producer Steven Spielberg. [Photo at right]
Combat Hospital (Tuesday, June 21 at 10 p.m. ET on ABC) - Elias Koteas and other military medical personnel do their thing in Kandahar, Afghanistan. With Michelle Borth, Luke Mably, Deborah Kara Unger.
Suits (Thursday, June 23 at 10 p.m. ET on USA) - Another not-lawyer lawyer show. Patrick J. Adams plays a dropout with a photograhic memory, hired to help Gabriel Macht's Manhattan attorney. With Gina Torres, RIck Hoffman.
Wilfred (Thursday, June 23 at 10 p.m. ET on FX) - Yes, it stars a man in a dog suit, but give it a shot. It's adapted from an Australian hit (seen here on Sundance) about the connection between talking canine Jason Gann and mystified neighbor Elijah Wood. [Photo at right]
Friends With Benefits (Saturday, June 25 at 8 and 8:30 p.m. ET on NBC) - The peacock does dating in an ensemble comedy with Party Down's Ryan Hansen, One Tree Hill's Danneel Harris.
State of Georgia (Wednesday, June 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET on ABC Family) - Raven-Symone and geeky BFF Majandra Delfino hit New York to make it big. With Loretta Devine.
Necessary Roughness (Wednesday, June 29 at 10 p.m. ET on USA) - Rescue Me fave Callie Thorne is a therapist playing mind games for a football team, based on the New York Jets' Dr. Donna Dannenfelser.
Alphas (July 11 at 10 p.m. ET, Syfy) - David Strathairn leads a team of super-gifted citizens who investigate others using their powers for nefarious purposes. With Malik Yoba, Warren Christie.
Web Therapy (July 19 at 11 p.m. ET, Showtime) - Lisa Kudrow transfers her web series to TV: She's a "self-professed psychotherapist" who treats cameo celebs online. With Lily Tomlin, Victor Garber. [Photo at right]
The Lying Game (Aug. 15 at 9 p.m. ET, ABC Family) - After a foster teen discovers a twin sister, they switch identities -- and the twin disappears. What happened, and why were they separated in the first place? Helen Slater plays mom.
NEW SHOWS ALREADY AIRING (all times ET) --
Switched at Birth (Monday at 9 p.m., ABC Family)
Single Ladies (Monday at 9 p.m., VH1)
Teen Wolf (Monday at 10 p.m., MTV)
Franklin & Bash (Wednesday at 9 p.m., TNT)
Love Bites (Thursday at 10 p.m., NBC)
RETURNING SHOWS ALREADY AIRING (all times ET) --
The Glades (Sunday at 10 p.m., A&E)
White Collar (Tuesday at 9 p.m., USA)
Covert Affairs (Tuesday at 10 p.m., USA)
Men of a Certain Age (Wednesday at 10 p.m., TNT)
RETURNING SERIES UPCOMING (all times ET) --
June 14: Pretty Little Liars (Tuesday at 8 p.m., ABC Family)
June 14: Memphis Beat (Tuesday at 9 p.m.., TNT)
June 14: Hawthorne (Wednesday at 10 p.m., TNT)
June 15: Hot in Cleveland (Wednesday at 10 p.m., TV Land)
June 19: Drop Dead Diva (Sunday at 9 p.m., Lifetime)
June 23: Futurama (Thursday at 10 p.m., Comedy Central)
June 23: Burn Notice (Thursday at 9 p.m., USA)
June 23: Rookie Blue (Thursday at 10 p.m., ABC)
June 23: Louie (Thursday at 10:30 p.m., FX)
June 26: True Blood (Sunday at 9 p.m., HBO)
June 26: Leverage (Sunday at 9 p.m., TNT)
June 27: Weeds (Monday at 10 p.m., Showtime)
June 27: The Big C (Monday at 10:30 p.m., Showtime)
June 29: Melissa & Joey (Wednesday at 8 p.m., ABC Family)
June 29: Royal Pains (Wednesday at 9 p.m., USA)
July 8: Torchwood (Starz)
July 10: Curb Your Enthusiasm (HBO)
July 11: Eureka (Syfy)
July 11: Warehouse 13 (Syfy)
July 11: The Closer (TNT)
July 11: Rizzoli & Isles (TNT)
July 13: Rescue Me (FX)
July 13: Damages (DirecTV)
July 15: Haven (Syfy)
July 17: Breaking Bad (AMC)
July 24: Entourage (HBO)