TV Surveillance

Summer used to be a wasteland for television, full of reruns and burnoffs that nobody wanted to watch.

No longer.

And even though the improved landscape might still be full of reality dreck and ridiculous competition programming — hello, ABC’s “Downfall” — there are a number of quality scripted series out there to enjoy.

Consider this a handy guide full of summer TV picks. You’re welcome in advance.
I’ve decided to organize the guide into four tiers based on how good the series are and how often you should spend your summertime actually watching them.

CAN’T MISS

“Louie” (11 p.m. Tuesdays on FX): Louis C.K. is generally thought of as the best standup comic around. He brings that title with him to cable for his second lead television series — his “Lucky Louie” flamed out on HBO in 2006 — and it’s depressingly stellar.

“Mad Men” (premieres 10 p.m. July 25 on AMC): Critical opinion has swung toward its AMC brother “Breaking Bad,” but “Men” is still the apex of televisual quality.

“Burn Notice” (9 p.m. Thursdays on USA): USA’s brand of fluffy procedurals with tight stories and nice locations are generally appealing, but this one’s still the best.  
“White Collar” (premieres 9 p.m. July 13 on USA): Actually, another season like “Collar”’s first will be the best.

“Psych” (premieres 10 p.m. July 14 on USA): Not to keep praising USA, but this is the most underrated program on television, in my opinion.

“So You Think You Can Dance” (8 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays on FOX): Summer’s best reality competition series.

“True Blood” (9 p.m. Sundays on HBO): It’s off to a really rocky start, but this is the series everyone will be talking about until fall.

TRY TO KEEP UP

“Big Brother” (premieres 8 p.m. July 9 on CBS): The summer reality stalwart requires its contestants to have no skills but to be generally horrible human beings. If it weren’t on three times a week, it’d be in the can’t-miss group.

“Leverage” (9 p.m. Sundays on TNT): The only TNT procedural worth your full attention.
“The Good Guys” (9 p.m. Mondays on FOX): You’ll come for broad comedy that parodies cop series tropes and stay for Bradley Whitford’s mustache.

“Lie to Me” (9 p.m. Mondays on FOX): A nice, solid procedural with a fun lead character. 

“Warehouse 13” (premieres 9 p.m. July 6 on Syfy): The cable channel’s biggest hit since the awkward name change is a fun mix of “The X-Files” and “Bones.”

“Design Star” (10 p.m. Sundays on HGTV) and “Next Food Network Star” (9 p.m. Sundays on Food Network): These two straightforward but entertaining competition programs actually offer a legitimate prize (the winner gets his or her own show).

“Huge” (9 p.m. Mondays on ABC Family): Surprisingly solid and meaty. No pun intended. Okay, yes it was.

I MEAN, IF YOU’RE BORED

“Royal Pains” (10 p.m. Thursdays on USA): USA doesn’t knock it out of the park every time.

“Pretty Little Liars” (8 p.m. Tuesdays on ABC Family): I’m not in the target demographic, but people seem to like this one.

“Hung” (10 p.m. Sundays on HBO): It’s offensive to call this stuck-in-neutral series a comedy — but it’s HBO.

“The Gates” (10 p.m. Sundays on ABC): It’s a derivative mix of 10 different series you like better, but hey — more vamps!

“The Closer” and “Rizzoli & Isles” (Premiere at 9 and 10 p.m. July 12 on TNT): Meh.
“Hawthorne”and “Memphis Beat” (9 and 10 p.m. Tuesdays on TNT): Jason Lee and Jada Pinkett-Smith deserve better.

PLEASE DON’T DO THIS TO YOURSELF 

“Entourage” (10:30 p.m. Sundays on HBO): This one’s in a tier of suckitude all on its own.