It’s summer time, and you know what that means – most major TV series have the season off, so you can finally play some much needed tube catch up (What-you thought I was going to suggest you spend your evenings outside enjoying the good weather? As if.)

There are simply only so many hours in the day, and only so many of those hours that one can devote to viewing pursuits. But you know all those shows everyone yaps about that you haven’t gotten a chance to check out? In the summer when the network series are on vacation, it’s your perfect chance. Just order them up on Netflix or Hulu or alien space beam or whatever it is the kids are watching stuff on these days and give it a shot. It should be a well-received break from the hours of mindless reality TV, and you’ll have more than enough time to watch your way through all the old episodes before the new ones start up again in the fall – presuming you like them, that is. But I like them, so obviously they are magnificent.

5. Lost

.

What? You’ve heard of this one? You heard it jumped the shark? And the writers are crazy? I don’t care. I have liked Lost from the get go. Yes, I will admit, there are times when it waxes a touch melodramatic. There are times when the sets look like they are made out of papier-mache (Oh, Ben, are those frozen rocks you are moving the island with? Or giant hunks of spray panted styrofoam?). And sometimes, okay often, I think this show might just be an exercise in the writers trying to see just how long they will keep people watching without ever giving them real answers. But it doesn’t matter. They have absolutely mastered tension and the cliffhanger ending. Every single stinking episode – without fail – when the big LOST booms up at the end, I lose my mind, shake my fist like an angry old man and yell ‘Gah!’ at the television because I don’t want to wait one more minute to find out what is going to happen next.

4. House.

A friend of mine worked on the Norwegian Cruise Lines, and this was the series they ran over and over on the crew television channel, so they were all obsessed with it, which is pretty funny.  You’d think House wouldn’t be so interesting when every episode is essentially the same formula – someone comes down with a mysterious illness, brilliant, codger-like Dr. Gregory House doesn’t think the case is interesting enough but is persuaded to take it, he and his team spend about 40 minutes dicking around trying to get the diagnosis and screwing up, then he figures it out. Insert a healthy dose of interpersonal drama mostly revolving around House being a major ass and/or his Vicodin addiction and you have every episode of the show ever. And yet, it is always pretty damn gripping, and you don’t have to be a total hypochondriac to think so. It’s good enough for the Norwegians, so it should be good enough for you.

3. 30 Rock

Yes, I know you know everyone loves it. There is a reason. More often than not the writing on this show is simply brilliant. Alec Baldwin has completely resurrected himself, transitioning from hot leading man roles of the past to deadpan buttoned up comic ones of the present with aplomb. Tracy Morgan is hysterical – often more so when you watch his bits the second time. And the recent comparisons to The Muppet Show make it even the more amusing. Just do yourself a favor and partake.

2. Entourage

Some yokels I used to know accused this show of being too insider, and that only Hollywood-ites could identify. I heartily disagree. I might live in LA, but the agent/actor side of the industry is one with which I have strikingly little familiarity. In fact, the only local kicks I get off this show is when it’s shot somewhere I recognize, but that is an experience all Los Angelenos have with virtually anything shot in LA. So, why is it so great? Just typical HBO production – great writing, great characters, great acting, lots of heart. And whoever picks the music for this show – you are a genius. Note: Entourage is back in July, so this one you’d best get on ASAP.

1. Readers’ Choice

Okay, I’m punting. I could have said Weeds, which is terrific, or The Tudors, which is distinctly less terrific, but somehow has my attention despite how furious it makes me. But mostly there are several series I’m contemplating firing up for the first time this summer, and I could use some advice. Right now I think it’s a tie between Mad Men and Dexter, but I’m open to suggestions. Are either of those as marvelous as people say? Is there something else amaaaazing that I’m missing? Enquiring minds need some help.