TVovereasy|A recap guide to all your favorite shows

Summer shows usually get a bad rap, since most people me that’s when the networks pull out the stuff that wasn’t good enough for the regular season.  And to some extent, that’s true.  But there are still some intriguing options out there—both on basic and regular cable.

1. Rubicon (AMC, premieres Aug. 1):  AMC has had a high success rate with original programming, previously premiering Mad Men and Breaking Bad.  This new conspiracy thriller stars James Badge Dale as an intelligence analyst who begins to question his employers’ motives after a friend’s death.  Other big names include showrunner Henry Bromell (producer of Homicide) and pilot director Allen Coulter (Sopranos/Sons of Anarchy).
2. Covert Affairs (USA, premiered July 13): USA already has a spy smash-hit with Burn Notice, and could add another with this piece of high-class fluff (and I say that in the most excited way possible).  Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly) is a CIA trainee who finds herself catapulted to the lead of a case for unknown reasons.  While it comes off as Alias-lite at some points, it could be a hit if it manages to avoid some of that series more pretentious pitfalls.
3. The Gates (ABC, premiered June 20): This supernatural drama has been getting better-than-average reviews for what could be an easy Twilight cash-in.  Instead, actors Rhona Mitra and Frank Grillo bring a gravitas to this story of a suburban neighborhood with secrets, and the high-quality script doesn’t hurt either.  So far, vampires, witches, and succubi have reared their heads.  It might be worth sticking around to see what else could be lurking here.
4. Hot in Cleveland (TV Land, premiered June 16): It’s TV Land’s first scripted series, and it’s got Betty White.  What more do you want?  How about appearances by John Schneider, Huey Lewis, and Carl Reiner?  And a script that captures the best of classic shows like The Golden Girls and Frasier?  Come on, now you’re just getting greedy.