May Sweeps are over. Jack Shephard’s eye closed for the last time, the Glee kids concluded their first season’s journey, and Grey’s Anatomy took out a chunk of its bloated cast with a crazed gunman. It’s been a hell of a finale season, but what do we do now? Well, you could hit the beach, or pick up a book, but for those of us more inclined to stay on the couch, summer is no longer just for reruns. If you’re missing any recently departed favorites, summer shows, both new and returning, may provide a good substitute.
If you’re in House withdrawal, try: Royal Pains 
Hank Lawson is a kinder, gentler alternative to Dr. House, and as a concierge doctor in the Hamptons, he gets to know his patients well. But if you’re in the market for bizarre cases, memorable characters, and witty dialogue, the second season of Royal Pains is just what the doctor ordered. (Thursdays, USA)
If you’re craving Gossip Girl, everyone’s talking about: Pretty Little Liars
Blair and Serena may be shopping their way through Paris, but never fear, there are still privileged, catty teen girls making each other’s lives miserable—and TV more entertaining. On Pretty Little Liars, the Queen Bee in question continues her reign with texts from beyond the grave. (Tuesdays, ABC Family)
If you’re jonesing for Breaking Bad, puff on: Weeds 
Don’t worry, while Breaking Bad is on hiatus, once-responsible adults will still be descending into the seedy underworld of drug kingpins. Nancy Botwin, the original suburbanite-turned-pot-dealer, returns for a 6th season. Hilarious, sexy, gripping, and dramatic, if delightfully implausible, Weeds is sure to provide your fix. (August 16, Showtime)
If you want to double-cross Damages, sneak over to: Rubicon
AMC’s third original show revolves around conspiracies in a government intelligence agency. Coming from a network that can’t lose, featuring Miranda Richardson and the summer’s coolest tagline (“Not every conspiracy is a theory”), Rubicon promises thrills and intrigue enough to lessen the grief over the premature cancellation of Damages. (August 1, AMC)
If you’re lost without Lost, find: Person’s Unknown 
Yes, Lost was an unrepeatable feat of television brilliance, but that’s not going to stop viewers and producers alike from searching for “the next Lost.” And TV can only benefit from the creativity. This summer’s entry replaces the island with an empty (but surveilled) town where 6 strangers find themselves after being abducted from their normal lives. This creepy, paranoiac thriller promises mysteries aplenty, though probably no polar bears. (Mondays, NBC)
If you’re feeling Desperate (Housewives, that is), check out: The Gates
Ok, I’m half-kidding: the planned community in ABC’s new show is as full of carpools, catfights and secrets as Wisteria Lane, but The Gates have something more supernatural beneath the suburban veneer. Yes, the vamps and werewolves have made it to the suburbs. Drink up! (June 20, ABC)
If you’re looking for more Heroes, try: Haven 
SyFy’s summer season kicks off with this drama based on a Steven King novella. An FBI agent comes to a small town and soon discovers that it’s a refuge for people with supernatural powers. The show comes complete with a sci-fi pedigree including a director from Heroes(Adam Kane), an actor from Jericho (Emily Rose), and a producer (Jim Dunn), writer (Sam Ernst) and showrunner (Scott Shepard) from the previous King-based show, The Dead Zone. Whether you stuck with Heroes until the end, or gave up when it failed to live up to its initial promise, this show should provide the superhuman abilities you’ve been missing. (July 9, SyFy)
If you miss counting down 24, try: Covert Affairs
If you’re still catching your breath after 24’s explosive conclusion, this spy drama promises to add a lighter, more humorous touch to the excitement. From the producer of the Bourne trilogy, and starring Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly) and Christopher Gorham (Harper's Island), Covert Affairs tells the story of a young CIA-trainee who is mysteriously called into active duty a month before her training ends. She is guided through the CIA by a blind agent who shows her the ropes and helps her out with tech ops worthy of Alias. (July 13, USA)
And finally, if you’ve been missing Mad Men every minute since the third season ended, try: Mad Men
Don Draper is back, and we can’t wait! There’s not much to say, at this point. If you haven’t experienced first-hand the greatness of the show, catch up on DVD before July 15. (July 15, AMC)
