USA best for summer viewing

With four shows in the Top 10 this past week, it seems America’s catching up to my eclectic summer viewing tastes, if only a bit. More specifically, USA Network rocks!

The four shows USA had in the Top 10 have all been personal faves for a while now. The ol’ reliable standby, MONK, is still strong even though showing signs of age as a concept.

Completely fresh and addictive in its second season, PSYCH is the perfect companion piece to MONK, with a talented, appealing cast. Shows like this make me wish USA offered longer seasons to these hits.

BURN NOTICE has a slightly grittier edge but still dwells in the same space of action-comedy-mystery that MONK and PSYCH occupy.

And WWE RAW is great, mindless summer fare. It’s also the place where you might see the most creative use of a safety utility knife.

I’m a bit disappointed that viewers seem to be abandoning THE 4400, which is smart science fiction; however, I’m surprised THE DEAD ZONE is still hanging around, considering how terrible Anthony Michael Hall is in filling in for Christopher Walken, who breathed first cinematic life into the role for the Stephen King-inspired character.