There isn't a moment to breathe between the ending of the spring television season and the beginning of the summer one. We've never asked for year-round programming, but here it is.
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The 34 most exciting TV shows this summer you need to see
From "Marvel's The Defenders" to "South Park," these are the coolest TV picks for those hot months.
"Marvel's The Defenders" stars, from left, Mike Colter, Scott Glenn, Finn Jones, Krysten Ritter, and Charlie Cox.
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Summer used to be a time when fans could catch up on shows they missed via reruns, but we have streaming-TV services and On Demand for that.
It also used to be a time when networks aired shows that wouldn't have a chance during the proper fall/spring schedules, but now summer shows are getting big ratings and netting awards (see: "Mr. Robot," which has actually graduated to the fall season).
From "Marvel's The Defenders" to "South Park," these are the coolest picks for the hot months.
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Here are the 34 new and returning summer shows we're most excited about:
"House of Cards" season five (NBC), currently streaming.
The extreme lengths to which Frank Underwood (Kevin Spacey) will go to hold on to the White House always made for riveting television. But now the show has to contend with President Donald Trump. It will be interesting to see how its drama stands up to reality.
"The Carmichael Show" season three (NBC), airing Wednesdays at 9 p.m.
A critical darling, "The Carmichael Show" has been slow to catch on with viewers. It's a must-see for the frank comedy and some real focus on tough issues.
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"Long Strange Trip" (Amazon), premieres Friday, June 2
This six-part documentary series will be the trip every Grateful Dead fan will want to take. Executive produced by Martin Scorsese, the series takes a deep look into what drove the band to great musical heights and how they held on to that for more than three decades.
"Fear the Walking Dead" season three (AMC), returns Sunday June 4 at 9 p.m.
International borders are breaking down as humanity tries to survive the zombie plague on the upcoming third season of the series that takes place before the events of "The Walking Dead." This looks like a pretty explosive season.
"I'm Dying Up Here" season one (Showtime), premieres Sunday, June 4 at 10 p.m.
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This new Showtime drama series follows the 1970s comedy scene in Los Angeles, from which many comic greats emerged. Jim Carrey is one of its producers.
"Daytime Divas" season one (VH1), premieres Monday, June 5 at 10 p.m.
"Daytime Divas" is scripted, but it's based on former "The View" cohost Star Jones' novel "Satan's Sisters." Plus Jones is an executive producer. So if you ever wondered what goes down behind the scenes at "The View," there may be bits of truth in "Daytime Divas." And there's Vanessa Williams, doing the role we loved her in on "Ugly Betty": the boss.
"States of Undress" season two (Viceland), returns Tuesday, June 6 at 10 p.m.
Fashion takes on some pretty amazing meanings across the world. "States of Undress" reveals what that means to people who live in some of the most far-flung, politically oppressed, and poorest international locations.
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"American Boyband" season one (Viceland), premieres Thursday, June 8 at 10:30 p.m.
Leave it to Viceland to present a twist to boy bands. This new series follows Kevin Abstract and his group of performers called Brockhampton as they embark on Abstract's first headlining tour.
"Orange Is the New Black" season five (Netflix), returns Friday, June 9
Picking up right where last season left off, s
"Orphan Black" season five (BBC America), returns Saturday, June 10 at 10 p.m.
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It's the last season of the critically acclaimed "Orphan Black." It's certainly going to be a huge season for fans wondering if the clones will find freedom.
"The Putin Interviews" (Showtime), premieres Monday, June 12 at 9 p.m.
In this four-part documentary series, "Platoon" and "JFK" director Oliver Stone interviews the man at the center of the Trump administration's problems: Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Blood Drive" season one (Syfy), premieres Wednesday, June 14 at 10 p.m.
Syfy promises its new grindhouse-inspired series, "Blood Drive," will push TV's boundaries. It's a big move for creator James Roland, who has assisted producers on "Mad Men" and "Weeds." It stars "Smallville's" Alan Ritchson as a cop who's forced to join a deadly cross-country race in which the cars run on blood.
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"The Mist" season one (Spike), premieres Thursday, June 22 at 10 p.m.
"GLOW" season one (Netflix), premieres Friday, June 23
This take on the popular '80s women's wrestling phenomenon has some heavy-hitting producers behind it whose credits include "Nurse Jackie" and "Orange Is the New Black." Plus, it stars "Community" star Alison Brie!
"Power" season four (Starz), returns Sunday, June 5 at 9 p.m.
On season four, Ghost (Omari Hardwick) may be facing the biggest challenge of his life as he fights off murder charges. And while he has led quite the checkered past, he's innocent of the murder in question.
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"Gypsy" (Netflix), premieres Friday, June 30
Naomi Watts stars as a psychologist who goes over the boundary of doctor-patient confidence when she starts relationships with people in her patients' lives. Fifty Shades of Grey")
"Snowfall" season one (FX), premieres Wednesday, July 5 at 10 p.m.
From "Boyz N the Hood" director John Singleton, "Snowfall" tracks the rise of crack cocaine in the early 80s from the streets to the corporate offices and the Mexican mafia.
"Tour de Pharmacy" (HBO), premieres Saturday, July 8 at 10 p.m.
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Andy Samberg follows his hilarious tennis documentary parody for HBO, "7 Days in Hell," with a spoof on competitive cycling in the '80s and the drugs that fueled it.
"Odd Mom Out" season three (Bravo), returns Wednesday, July 12 at 10 p.m.
This comedy about a New York City mom and wife who's just too odd and freethinking to fit into upper-crust society is smart and hilarious.
"Salvation" season one (CBS), premieres Wednesday, July 12 at 9 p.m.
Alex Kurtzman is behind CBS's "Scorpion," "Hawaii Five-0," the upcoming "Star Trek: Discovery," and now, "Salvation." The 13-episode first season revolves around the discovery that
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"Friends from College" season one (Netflix), premieres Friday, July 14
From the little that we've seen of "Friends from College," we can't wait for this college reunion. Every episode is directed by cocreator Forgetting Sarah MarshallNeighbors"
"Game of Thrones" season seven (HBO), returns July 16 at 9 p.m.
The penultimate season. The war for the throne is here. There are just seven episodes. 'Nuff said.
"Ozark" season one (Netflix), premieres Friday, July 21
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"Insecure" season two (HBO), returns Sunday, July 23 at 10:30 p.m.
After a stellar first season, this show about a woman who struggles with being accepted by both black people and everyone else returns. It's cocreated by its star, Issa Rae, and Larry Wilmore.
"Midnight, Texas" season one (NBC), premieres Monday, July 24 at 10 p.m.
Finally, it's almost here. This new series from "True Blood" writer Charlaine Harris looks thoroughly nuts. It revolves around a town that has become a safe haven for the supernatural and the strange. Sound familiar, Truebies?
"The Sinner" season one (USA), premieres Wednesday, August 2 at 10 p.m.
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Jessica Biel returns to TV for the first time in a series regular role since "7th Heaven" as a mother who commits a brutal murder and doesn't know why she did it. "Independence Day" star Bill Pullman is an investigator who's trying to help her find out.
"What Would Diplo Do?" season one (Viceland), premieres Thursday, August 3 at 10 p.m.
Adapted from a skit for Bud Light, "What Would Diplo Do?" is written and stars the "Dawson's Creek" actor James Van Der Beek. Viceland's first scripted series, the comedy casts as a fictionalized version of the larger-than-life EDM DJ Diplo.
"Carpool Karaoke" season one (Apple Music)
Apple Music's first TV series is based on the popular "Carpool Karaoke" segment from CBS's "Late Late Show with James Corden." The series will feature different celebrity hosts interviewing its musical guests.
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"Saturday Night Live: Weekend Update" season one (NBC), premieres Thursday, August 10 at 9 p.m.
NBC is spinning off the "Saturday Night Live" news segment into its own show this summer.
"Get Shorty" season one (Epix), premieres Sunday, August 13 at 10 p.m.
This new series about a criminal trying to break into the movie business is adapted from the novel, "Get Shorty," which was also made into a successful 1995 movie.
"Marlon" season one (NBC), premieres Wednesday, August 16 at 9 p.m.
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Marlon Wayans plays a fictionalized version of himself for this new comedy about
"Marvel's The Defenders" season one (Netflix), premieres Friday, August 18
"The Defenders" has been where Netflix and Marvel have been heading, using all the other Marvel series as stepping stones to this one. Will it live up to the expectations?
"Broad City" season four (Comedy Central), returns Wednesday, August 23 at 10:30 p.m.
Summer in the city wouldn't be the same without the gals of "Broad City."
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"South Park" season 21 (Comedy Central), premieres Wednesday, August 23 at 10 p.m.
There's certainly much for "South Park" to skewer in the current political and pop culture climate. We can't wait to see what crazy ways "South Park" will do that.
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