In the spirit of the Olympics, here are my medal picks for Summer TV 2012 (all times Central):
Bronze medal: “Futurama” (9 p.m. Wednesday on Comedy Central) — After a down 2011 season, “Futurama” has bounced back nicely. Like “The Simpsons,” it still has an annoying habit of either hitting home runs or striking out, with nothing in between. But it has connected a lot this summer with: Bender having a baby, Leela and Amy getting addicted to steroids, Hermes continually upgrading himself until he’s a robot, and Bender discovering free will.
Silver medal: “The L.A. Complex” (8 p.m. Tuesday on The CW) — I was pleasantly surprised to see this Canadian/American collaboration return so soon after its six-episode first season. It continues to nicely illustrate the perils and thrills of the lives of aspiring stars. The most gripping storyline is still that of Kaldrick, the self-loathing rap superstar who can’t admit to anyone that he’s gay. A nice addition: The sister and kid brother who move from Canada to L.A. only to find their American dream requires a lot more than talent and hard work — it also requires money.
Gold medal: “Bunheads” (8 p.m. Mondays on ABC Family) — I hadn’t realized how much I missed Amy Sherman-Palladino’s witty writing style until the “Gilmore Girls” scribe returned with her second hourlong drama. Being on cable, it’s surprisingly edgy in the way it blends the supposed idyllic innocence of Paradise, Calif., with Michelle’s racy Vegas background. Boo is one of the best characters on TV; she has a real-world frumpiness that sets her apart from her doll-like ballet friends, and a vulnerable nature that makes her worth rooting for. We’re seeing a young woman at a point in life that could tip her toward cynicism.
What are your favorite TV shows of the summer?