13 Summer TV Shows You Should Really Be Watching

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of great television available to watch. In fact, this summer brings some incredible new hits, old favorites, and even a few binge-worthy surprises.

From the shows we all love to binge-watch at once, to those we sit down to livetweet each and every week, here are 13 summer TV shows you should definitely be watching.

13. Preacher

A Texas preacher is inhabited by a mysterious entity that gives him special powers in this supernatural drama. It’s fun, unique series that has pretty much everything you could want, from action and adventure to some dark humor. There’s even a vampire involved.

Preacher airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.

12. The Night Shift

Spend your summer with the doctors and nurses at San Antonio Memorial. The night shift at the hospital is never dull. You’ll meet some patients with crazy stories, fall in love with the staff, and probably shed a tear or two. If you’re looking for a compelling medical show with a phenomenal ensemble cast, then The Night Shift is for you.

The Night Shift airs Wednesdays at 10/9c.

11. Food Network Star

If you’re looking for an easy, fun reality show that’s low on drama, you should really be watching Food Network Star. A group of chefs compete in challenges that showcase their cooking abilities as well as their on-camera skills in hopes of winning their own Food Network show. There to guide them along the way and make those tough eliminations are Bobby Flay and Giada De Laurentis.

Food Network Star airs Sundays at 9/8c on Food Network.

10. Zoo

The animal apocalypse is upon us, and only James Wolk and his handsome face can stop it! CBS’s Zoo is exactly the summer series you want to watch: it’s fun, has a great cast, and it’s fast-paced. While some things don’t exactly make sense (ahem, killer ants) it doesn’t take itself too seriously and provides pure entertainment start to finish each week.

Zoo airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on CBS.

9. Dead of Summer

Set in the late 1980s, Dead of Summer follows a group of teens who head to Camp Stillwater for the summer for what they hope to be a summer of fun. But instead, an ancient mythology means a creepy, terrifying summer instead. This must-watch series also includes some pretty great music, especially if you’re looking for some 80s nostalgia.

Dead of Summer airs Tuesdays at 9/8c on Freeform.

8. Casual

This funny, smart comedy was called “unflinchingly honest,” by star Tommy Dewey, which is a pretty perfect description. The Hulu series is well-written and surprising as it takes a look at the difficulties of dating in a world of social media.

Casual is currently available for streaming on Hulu, with new episodes each Tuesday.

Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

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