Nerds That Geek’s 2023 Summer Television Viewing Guide

Written by John Edward Betancourt

The wonder of summer is upon us at last. Which means blue skies will be above us, and lush grass as far as the eye can see will be before us, alongside rays of sunshine that make us smile. That also means, we’ll be out and about more often, to just enjoy everything that nature has to offer But in between those trips to the ballpark and a bike ride through the mountains or on favorite trail, we will be home now and again, and eager to pass the time with our true favorite pastime… television. 
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Because it is a big part of our lives now, and thankfully, television no longer slows down when summer begins, and well, since we are now in early June, today seems like the perfect time to highlight what we believe to be some of the must-watch shows hitting, the airwaves this summer. So, you can properly plan your summer viewing around your summer activities. 

Enjoy the Summer of the Dead, on AMC Networks

Trey Santiago-Hudson as Jano, Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee, Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan in ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’. Photo Credit: Peter Kramer/AMC

If there is one franchise that AMC Networks is known for above all these days, it is The Walking Dead. For this universe is still enjoying its day in the sun thanks to numerous spin-offs and fresh stories to come and well, this summer is filled to the brim with new stories from the land of the dead. For as we speak, Fear the Walking Dead is the midst of its eighth and final season and this bold farewell tour to the boldest chapter in the TWDU is wowing us every step of the way and it is absolutely worth watching this summer. In part to see how this harrowing final storyline is going to play out, but to also pay our proper respects to the series as it begins to wind down and believe it or not, there is more from this universe to enjoy this summer.
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For June 18th will see the premiere of The Walking Dead: Dead City. A show that puts Maggie Rhee and Negan on the road together to save Maggie’s son from nefarious forces that reside within the isle of Manhattan. Which has now become a true Isle of the Dead, and well… that’s absolutely must-watch T.V. right there. Because it features the return of two highly beloved characters from this saga and pits them in a new location and provides them with a unique journey that is independent of the comics, and it will be interesting to see what scares and epic moments this series will provide us with in a couple of weeks.

Epics Abound on Apple TV+

Idris Elba in "Hijack," premiering June 28, 2023 on Apple TV+.

We’ve sung many a praise for the work that Apple TV+ does with programming and rightfully so. Simply because they continue to impress by pushing boundaries and by providing us with one incredible show and film after another. The kind that win the biggest awards, and their summer season is going to add a new wrinkle to their lineup, by offering up shows that are outright epic in nature or carry with them quite the reputation. For instance, Silo, is a true dystopian epic that through six episodes to date, has taken the viewer on quite the powerful ride. One that is starting to feel as though it is ramping up to an epic conclusion, one that takes place at the end of this month, and it really is quite the engaging show.
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Not to mention, Apple TV+ is about to be home to Hijack (June 28th), a seven-part action thriller, wherein a hijacking plays out in real-time and well… the trailer and everything we’ve seen regarding this show, makes it clear… this is a seven-hour summer blockbuster. One that features Idris Elba, and really… it doesn’t get more epic than that. But it does get… more iconic. After all, Friday will see the premiere of the third season of The Snoopy Show, and that loveable beagle is known and beloved by all, and that too, is quite the summer treat.

Variety is the Spice of STARZ

Left to Right: Caitríona Balfe (“Claire Fraser”) and Sam Heughan (“Jamie Fraser”) in Season Seven of “Outlander”. Photo Courtesy of STARZ.

It is definitely safe to say that the words diversity, and variety are, synonymous with STARZ. Simply because this network not only offers up diverse programming filled to the brim with stories that reflect America, but they also feature a variety of shows that you won’t find anywhere else, and this summer is going to be filled to the brim with all of that. After all, the brilliant show, Run the World is currently airing its second season and will continue airing new episodes for a better part of the summer season. Not to mention, a beloved fan epic returns to the airwaves in a couple of weeks by way of the seventh season premiere of the highly acclaimed, Outlander (June 16th). And well, everyone is eager to see what incredible stories and adventures await us in the next to last season of this iconic show.
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Plus, July 21st will see the debut of the second season of Minx. A series that STARZ rescued from cancellation at another network, giving new life to a dynamic and intelligent series that deserves to be on the airwaves, and… another beloved series will be arriving at the same time. Since the second season of Heels is a July 28th entry on the network, and this is one that a great many fans have been waiting for since season one was so utterly incredible. So, as you can see, STARZ is offering up quite the robust lineup, one that features something for everyone really.

Fond Farewells, Fun, and Fickle Mysteries on Freeform

Lexi Underwood and Sadie Stanley as Isabella and Megan in Season 2 of ‘Cruel Summer’. Photo Courtesy of Freeform.

Speaking of variety, there’s plenty of that to be found on Freeform this summer as well. Simply because they have a trio of vastly different and entertaining shows arriving on the network this summer. For instance, Freeform will be entering the animated foray for the first time ever by way of a new animated comedy series entitled Praise Petey, about a New York gal named Petey who is tasked with quite the new goal when her life comes crumbling down upon her, and that debuts on July 21st this year.  
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Plus, there is a farewell tour to be had this summer. For the first half of the sixth and final season of grown-ish arrives on June 28th, and that is definitely must-watch television since we are in essence, bidding goodbye to one important television franchise. Not to mention, there’s a fresh mystery coming to the network, starting tonight. Since the hit-anthology series, Cruel Summer, returns for its second season and it promises to offer up a juicy mystery set in the Pacific Northwest around the time of Y2K. One that will explore a budding friendship and a love triangle, and all of these shows should definitely engage and entertain us through and through this summer. 

Peacock Continues to Impress This Summer

BASED ON A TRUE STORY -- Pictured: (l-r) Kaley Cuoco as Ava, Chris Messina as Nathan -- (Photo by: PEACOCK)

Make no mistake about it, Peacock is having one heck of a year. After all, it hit the ground running with the wildly original and dynamic series, Poker Face, at the start of 2023, and it followed that up with the equally as brilliant and refreshing show, Mrs. Davis, and now for the summer session… Peacock is planning to continue to impress us all with another unique and original show by way of Based on a True Story. A dark comedy that promises to offer up a fascinating examination regarding our obsessions with pop-culture, more specifically true crime stories, and well… this cast, and this story will indeed deliver another incredible and inventive story from a network that continues to blow us away.

Of course, there are more shows hitting the airwaves this summer that will indeed ignite and excite our imaginations. But this is the collection that has us excited and ready to settle in and watch some summer T.V. and we hope this list serves you well, as you make your television plans for a special time of year. One that features outdoor activities by day, and the comforting glow of the television by night.