Not interested in the huge selection of new TV that’s airing this summer? Or maybe you’re stuck without live TV and only have DVDs and streaming as your savior? Now might be the time to get up to speed on last season’s hits you missed out on, or even check out some classic shows you’ve never gotten around to watching. Here’s a guide to help navigate just a few highlights from the extensive choices on home video, Netflix Instant and Hulu to get you up-to-date and prepared with good stuff to watch. Because who needs to go outside when it’s so hot?
On Hulu:
Whether you’re paying for a Plus subscription or using it for free, the the best choices in current, up-to-date TV are on Hulu. Here’s what you can catch up on completely before these shows return.
Touch – It was a bit of a surprise to see Tim Kring’s intriguing thriller renewed, so if you’re late to the party and want to check it out, the complete first season is available on Hulu Plus, with a number of select episodes available for free.
The LA Complex – If you’ve been missing The CW’s reruns of this surprisingly good Canadian drama, check out the six-episode first season on Hulu for free, before season 2 premieres in the US on July 17.
Grimm – NBC has been really pushing its sleeper hit about a fairy tale-themed detective, which includes streaming the entire first season on Hulu for free. The Season 1 DVD/Blu-Ray will also be available earlier than most others, on August 7.
Community – Fanatics like myself can be plenty rabid with getting people into the low-rated but generally brilliant comedy, so if you’ve finally caved and decide to give it a try, all seasons are currently available on Hulu Plus. Season 3 will also join the first two seasons on DVD on August 14.
Once Upon a Time - If you missed out on this past season’s surprising success like I did, now’s a good chance to catch up on the magic. The entire first season is currently available for Hulu Plus users, with select episodes available to free Hulu users. The Season 1 DVD/Blu-Ray is available on August 28.
Parks and Recreation – This low-rated comedy has been building up a big internet following in the past two seasons, so now’s a good time to check out a show that vastly improved every year. The most recent season is available on Hulu Plus, while the first three seasons are on Netflix. Season 4 is on DVD on September 4.
Recent on Netflix:
Netflix doesn’t have the most up-to-date episodes of shows, but it’s a must for classic and CW shows, especially. You won’t get the latest season at least until the newest DVDs are out, but here’s some picks for shows to start on if you’re way behind.
The Vampire Diaries – This show was the truest case of “it gets better as it goes along,” and as a result I and many others didn’t want to give it the time of day when it started out. But it’s proved itself and is worth getting through its opening episodes to dive into this surprisingly engaging series. I’ll be catching up on the first two seasons through Netflix, while Season 3 will be available on DVD/Blu-Ray on September 11.
Supernatural – If you’ve got plenty of time on your hands and have never hunted with the Winchesters in one of the best underrated shows on TV, join the droves of new fans who have recently discovered the first six seasons on Netflix. Season 7 will arrive to DVD/Blu-Ray with the rest of the series on September 18.
Nikita – The diehard Alias fan in me initially didn’t want to give this spy show a chance, but like The Vampire Diaries, it’s more than proved itself to be one of the better genre shows out right now. Join me in catching up with the first season on Netflix, while Season 2 will arive on DVD/Blu-Ray on October 2.
Doctor Who – This show is certainly intimidating to new viewers thanks to the huge fanbase and 50-year history. Now’s the perfect time to jump on, though—unlike the above shows, the recent extra-long hiatus means all six seasons of the revived era are currently available for streaming, so you can catch up completely before new episodes return in the fall. A number of classic Doctor Who serials from the original run are also available.
Complete Series On Netflix:
Already caught up on everything current and want to spend your summer indulging in classic TV? Here’s some complete series picks on Netflix.
Beauty and the Beast – Before the CW remake premieres, check out the late-1980s supernatural detective series on which it was based, starring Ron Pearlman and Linda Hamilton.
Dawson’s Creek - You know you shouldn’t. You don’t really want to. But you will, because you don’t wanna wait for your lives to be over. So check out one of The WB’s biggest successes and a staple of the 90s that provided the foundation for our favorite teen soaps today.
Beast Wars – One of the earliest TV shows to completely utilize CGI, this well-written 1990s Transformers spin-off broke numerous boundaries for kids shows at the time in terms of animation, characterization and emotion (especially for a show about robots.)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer – This is a probably a no-brainer, but if you’ve somehow never seen this show, just stop what you’re doing and watch it. Right now.
Recent On DVD:
If watching on the internet isn’t your thing, here’s some shows that aren’t available on major streaming sites but are worth catching on DVD.
Falling Skies – If you want to jump into the currently-airing second season, Season 1 of TNT’s alien invasion series is now on DVD/Blu-Ray. With only ten episodes on the set, you might just be able to catch up—season 2 it only just premiered last Sunday. (Order it here!)
Young Justice - The DVD releases for a show this heavily serialized make about as much sense as the timing of its hiatuses. The first 13 episodes of the daring DC Comics superhero drama were released in 3 separate volumes of 4 episodes each, but you can find them bundled together in one “fun pack,” basically making up a Season One, Part One set. On July 24, the remaining 14 episodes will be released as Season One, Part Two.
Fringe – Now’s the perfect time to get caught up for the fifth and final season of the cult sci-fi series. Not only do the complex plots fair better on DVD, but also if you want to soar through the first season’s procedural stories and get to the meatier story, this is a great way to do it. Stores like Target often sell the first two seasons bundled for fairly cheap, and season 4 comes to DVD/Blu-Ray on September 4.
Complete Series on DVD:
Lacking streaming capabilities but have time to check out a show from beginning to end? Here’s some recent complete series DVD releases.
Chuck – There isn’t a single complete series set for this fun, nerd-friendly, cult-spy show that just ended last January, but all five seasons of are out individually on DVD/Blu-Ray.
Eureka – The series finale airs July 16, and the final season DVD will be released the day after. Again, you’ll have to find the separate DVD releases, but if you enjoy lighthearted, quirky sci-fi with great characters, it’s right up your alley. Earlier seasons are also available on Netflix.
Power Rangers: Seasons 1-7 – This set contains the complete Mighty Morphin, Zeo, Turbo, In Space and Lost Galaxy series that make up the first major era and overarching storyline of the show. Though the franchise is on Netflix, the DVD contains loads of new interviews and features. It’s only available from Time Life, and will be released on August 7 (though separate staggered volumes will be released beginning August 2.)
Smallville – Yeah, it’s been out since November, but Amazon frequently lowers the price of this great set. Smallville‘s long ten-year-run holds up surprisingly well (maybe even better) as a series on DVD, so if you’ve got the time, it’s worth watching Clark Kent’s long journey from teenager to Man of Steel again or for the first time.
