Summer 2014 TV Scorecard

Summer TV Shows 2014: The best in reality, comedy, drama and soaps.

Growing up, summer used to be a wasteland full of reruns and series that weren’t good enough to receive full runs during the standard September to May television season. Things have changed. We’ve got summer TV staples like Big Brother and short but stellar offerings from the cable networks (like Suits). Summer is also when some Canadian shows get some play in the U.S. (like Rookie Blue).

Here’s a rundown of our favourite TV shows this summer.

Best Thriller

1. 24: Live Another Day (Global, Fox)
2. Tyrant (FX)
3. Graceland (Bravo, USA)

Best in Reality TV

1. The Amazing Race Canada (CTV)
2. Big Brother 16 (Global, CBS)
3. Last Comic Standing (NBC)

Best Primetime Drama

1. Dallas (Bravo, TNT)
2. Suits (Bravo, USA)
3. Rookie Blue (Global, ABC)
4. Finding Carter (MTV)

Best Soap

1. General Hospital (City, ABC)
2. Days of our Lives (Global, NBC)
3. Coronation Street (CBC)

Best New Comedy

1. You’re The Worst (FXX in Canada, FX in the US)
2. Married (FXX in Canada, FX in the US)

Sexiest New Show

1. Satisfaction (USA, coming to Showcase this fall)
2. Outlander (Showcase, Starz)
3. Rush (Bravo, USA)

Best Import

1. Secrets & Lies (Australia; CBC)
2. The Smoke (UK; M3)
3. Welcome to Sweden (Sweden; NBC)

Best in Late Night

1. The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (CTV Two, NBC)
2. Chelsea Lately (E!)
3. @Midnight (MuchMusic, Comedy Central)

And the rest…

— Honourable mention goes to HBO’s The Leftovers (if there was a “Great Show but WTF” category, this one would own it).

— True Blood aired its final season, but fans weren’t that excited.

— Could Extant be this summer’s biggest disappointment?

— I also wanted to get behind Lifetime’s The Lottery, but it moved a bit slow.

— Sad that Global’s Working the Engels (which aired here in the spring) didn’t catch on with American audiences during its NBC run this summer. It won’t be back for a second season.

— Chelsea Lately had a great sendoff this summer. Too bad we have to wait until 2016 to see her new series on Netflix.

— A lot happened on Pretty Little Liars this summer, be sure to check out our recaps.

— Oh and that Saved by the Bell TV movie… Such a mess.