May has come and gone, the finales have all run their course, and it's time to settle in for the summer of reruns. You remember NBC's slogan from a few years back: "It's new to you." Well, it isn't quite that simple anymore. The past few years have brought with it some wonderful new series to tempt your ocular sockets. For the longest time it was believed that summer was for the outdoors — you know, sun and fun, barbecues, the beach, all those things you do in the sun. It wasn't believed there would be a market for new, first-run television programs. I'm not sure what brought about the shift in thinking, but the cable networks that dwell in the higher numbers of your television dial (well, it's not a dial, but you know what I mean), have started to deliver some compelling television. It is a masterful strategy, too. The shows can cultivate a following without having to compete with the much more pervasive major networks. It has gotten to where the majors are also getting in on the action. Granted, it is primarily reality TV, which I despise, but the market is being tapped.

I thought I would give you a preview of the shows I am looking forward to, as well as some that I am not interested in. Just when I was all set to give the VCRs a much-deserved rest in favor of working the DVD player, it turns out that may not come to be. There is just so much and so little time.

Shows are listed alphabetically. All times listed are EST.

Angela's Eyes (Lifetime, Premieres 7/16, 10:00). I'm not exactly a Lifetime kind of guy. How many guys are? However, this show looks interesting. It is about a young FBI agent, and is described as Alias meets The Closer. Could be interesting.

Blade: The Series (Spike, Premieres 6/28, 10:00). I've enjoyed all three of the films and was intrigued when I heard about the television prospects. I am hoping this turns out to be good; the commercials look promising. The series stars Kirk Jones, aka the rapper/actor Sticky Fingaz, who was very good on Over There last year. The series will follow Blade's further vampire hunting adventures. This will be Spike's first foray into original scripted programming.

The Closer (TNT, Returns 6/12, 9:00). This show caught me off guard last year. I figured it was just another crime procedural, but I was immediately hooked by the compelling Kyra Sedgewick. She plays Brenda Johnson, a Southern gal transplanted to the LAPD homicide unit. Her character is a breath of fresh air among the machismo that can permeate cop shows. This is definitely a show worth spending some time with.

The Dead Zone (USA, Returns 6/18). I had my doubts about this series when it started a few years back, but from the second season on it really came into its own. It stars Anthony Michael Hall as the resident psychic. It has been so long since this has been on, I forgot where we left off. I do remember it had a very good mix of stand alone episodes as well as those mythology-building entries. I look forward to picking this back up.