Our Entertainment Editor, Libby, wrote an article last week about Hulu and encouraged you to go out to our new customer portal and check it out. She says it’s an easy way to watch all your favorite programs on the internet and I wonder, with my big two big TVs at home and my DVR why would I even want to do that? I’m intrigued so I thought I’d explore this topic a bit further. So off to the hulu.com site I go to see what all the Hulu hoopla’s about.
What’s all the Hoopla about Hulu?
On the Radar for Summer TV
As we all know, the pickings for good summertime TV are slim. For me, TV during the summertime is about relaxing after a long work day. This summer TV season I have mixed feelings. While some shows are already meeting my entertainment needs, others I just wonder how they made the cut. Let me tell you what I am watching so far.
Hell’s Kitchen (Fox) - I have been a huge fan of Chef Gordon Ramsey’s since the first season. I love how he doesn’t mess around or mince words. I find it funny that after six seasons, contestants still have issues with cooking Risotto, Scallops and some of the other staple products he is known for. Will Chef Ramsey find success with his upcoming show MasterChefs?
So You Think You Can Dance (Fox) – Another show I have been a fan of since the first season is SYTYCD. I love watching dancing shows and this show is no exception. Last year it was overkill with the show not only in the summer but also the fall. However, this year, they mixed it up with a new format that added some much needed zest to the show. They brought back some of our favorite past contestants to team up with the top 11. I am really loving the show this season!
Next Food Network Star (Food Network)- The Next Food Network Star was a late addition to my summertime viewing. I started watching the show last season and was hooked from the start. These chefs are actually competing for their very own show on Food Network which has some of the biggest stars in the industry such as Rachel Ray, Bobby Flay and Paula Dean. I really like the challenges because they force the competitors to think outside of their box and really push to discover who they are as a potential food star. If you love cooking, this is a great show to watch.
Design Star (HGTV) – For all aspiring interior designers, this is the show for you. The format of the show is similar to the Next Food Network Star which puts together professional designers into an intense competition to win their own TV show on HGTV. I love watching Design Star because of the great ideas that come out of the challenges and just to see how you can create something with very little. Last year’s winner Antonio really set the bar high for this year’s contestants.
Well, there you have it, my must watch summer TV list. I would love to hear what’s on yours.
More of what’s new on cable TV this Summer
In continuing my previous article, here is more information about upcoming new cable TV shows this Summer.
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Comedy Central
Channel 39 in Illinois
Channel 29 in Cleveland and Evansville
Channel 27 in Columbus
Russell Simmons Presents Stand-Up at The El-Rey – premieres July 11 @ 11 PM
Hosted by JB Smoove, Russell Simmons presents stand-up comedy from the El-Rey Theater.
New Sitcom starring Horatio Sanz and Chris Parnell – August
At this time, Comedy Central doesn’t have a title for this new sitcom about a young man who doesn’t let anything get in the way of his dreams. Even if that means losing his job and moving back in with his parents and sleeping on their couch.
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Channel 48 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland, Columbus
Mr. and Mrs. Hawke – premieres in July
A former Special Forces survival expert and his wife, a TV journalist, take on some of the most remote and forbidding places around the world, which challenges their survival skills and their marriage.
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Channel 44 in Illinois
Channel 26 in Michigan
Channel 47 in Cleveland
Channel 24 in Columbus
Channel 50 in Evansville
Den Brother – Premier date is to be determined by Disney Channel
This movie is about a teen hockey star, who has to swallow his pride and lead his younger sister’s Bumble Bee Troop.
Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam – Premier date is to be determined by Disney Channel
The Jonas Brothers star in this movie where friends return to Camp Rock for another summer of music and fun. But a rival camp places Camp Rock in jeopardy.
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DIY Network
Channel 300 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 210 in Evansville
Run My Renovation – premieres August 19 @ 10:30 PM
This is sure to be an interesting show. It’s the first home renovation show where online users are in charge of another homeowner’s space.
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Food Network
Channel 69 in Chicago City
Channel 65 in Chicagoland
Channel 42 in Michigan
Channel 38 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 43 in Evansville
Kid in a Candy Store – launch date in July, still to be determined by Food Network
Adam Gertler, a previous contestant on Food’s Next Food Network Star, travels to bakeries, food carts, restaurants and candy factories searching for the nation’s sweetest and most innovative treats.
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Channel 55 in Illinois
Channel 40 in Michigan
Channel 39 in Cleveland, Columbus and Evansville
Color Splash Miami – premieres July 3 @ 10:30PM
David Bromstead, winner of HGTV’s Design Star, transforms ordinary rooms using cues from architecture and the pulse of Miami.
Candice Tells All – premieres September 4 @ 8 PM
Candice Olsen shares the secrets of timeless design principles and fundamentals.
All American Handyman – premieres September 5 @ 10 PM
Competing for the title of All-American Handyman is ten non-professional handy men and women.
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Channel 30 in Illinois
Channel 27 in Michigan
Channel 26 in Cleveland
Channel 25 in Columbus
Channel 19 in Evansville
The Perfect Student – premieres in September
A spoiled and beautiful high-school student always gets what she wants. And this time, her sights are set on her math teacher.
The 19th Wife – premieres in September
This movie is based on David Ebershoff’s best-seller, The 19th Wife. It looks at the secret world of polygamy when a Fundamentalist LDS member is accused of killing her husband.
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Planet Green
Channel 307 in Illinois, Detroit, Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 206 in Evansville
No Impact Man – premieres in August
This documentary follows a family as they trade their comfortable New York lifestyle for a life that leaves as little environmental impact as possible.
Around the World in 90 Minutes – July 18 @ 9 PM
This speical telsl the story of what happens around the globe during a 90-minute voyage through a series of high def images broadcast from thousands of miles away.
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Speed
Channel 90 in Illinois (85 without a receiver)
Channel 70 in Michigan and Columbus
Channel 43 in Cleveland
Channel 33 in Evansville
Intersections – premieres July 21 @ 10 PM
Each episode of this series will take two seemingly different speed machines and compare the similarities and offers a look at the people who operate them.
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Syfy
Channel 45 in Illinois and Michigan
Channel 44 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 20 in Evansville
Haven – premieres July 9 @ 10PM
This series follows FBI agent Audrey Parker, played by Emily Rose, who arrives in the small town of Haven, Maine to solve the murder of a local ex-con. This series is based on Stephen King’s novella The Colorado Kid.
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TLC
Channel 63 in Chicago City
Channel 25 in Chicagoland
Channel 37 in Michigan
Channel 40 in Cleveland
Channel 42 in Columbus
Channel 41 in Evansville
Carpio Family Project - premiere date still to be determined TLC
A follow-up to the TLC speical Multitude of Multiples, this series will follow the Carpios. The Carpios are a family living in New York City who have an 8 year old and 18-month old sextuplets. Talk about dirty diapers!
Twist of Kate – premiere date still to be determined TLC
Kate Gosselin is traveling around the country to see how other people juggle work, family life and the many challenges life throws at them.
And even more Kate Gosselin is on TLC with Kate Plus 8 starting in June. These limited specials will follow Kate and her eight children on new adventures.
Homemade Millionare – premiere date still to be determined by TLC
Kelly Ripa teams up with TLC and HSN to see if she can help make women’s dreams come true. These women are aspiring entrepreneurs asking for help and advice on marketing, manufacturing and distributing their inventions.
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USA Network
Channel 29 in Chicago City
Channel 26 in Chicagoland
Channel 13 in Michigan and Cleveland
Channel 12 in Columbus
Channel 17 in Evansville
Covert Affairs – premieres in July
A young CIA trainee is thrust into the inner sanctum of the agency when she is unexpectedly promoted to field operative.
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These are just some of the new cable TV shows coming out soon. This should be enough to keep your WOW! DVR busy!
Your guide to new Spring/Summer Cable TV Shows
Spring is here and Summer is around the corner. That means TV finales but also a new crop of shows to watch! There’s lots of great new programs coming out on cable TV and I want to share with you what I know is coming out by network. All times listed below are Eastern Time, and dates/times are subject to change at the network’s discretion.
Check back in mid-June as I’ll update you with premieres for later in the Summer for HGTV, Lifetime, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, USA and more.
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A&E
Channel 46 in Illinois and Michigan
Channel 45 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 18 in Evansville
The Glades – July 14 @ 10 PM
This is a detective drama starring Matt Passmore, who plays an intelligent yet difficult homicide detective. After being falsely accused of having an affair with his former Captain’s wife, he is exiled to a small town in Florida where everything isn’t quite as it seems.
The Squad – Launch date is still to be determined by network
This is a documentary series that follows special agents in the Tennessee Prison System as they investigate major crimes in the prison.
Growing Up Twisted – Launch date is still to be determined by network
This is a documentary series that follows Twisted Sister rock star Dee Snider and his wife as they raise their strong-willed children.
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ABC Family
Channel 38 in Chicago City and Michigan
Channel 42 in Chicagoland
Channel 41 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 53 in Evansville
Pretty Little Liars – June 8 @ 8 PM
This drama follows four estranged best friends who are reunited after the head of the group, the “Queen Bee” goes missing.
Huge – June 28 @ 9 PM
This drama series is based on Sasha Paley’s novel and follows teens and staff at a weight-loss camp.
Melissa & Joey – Premiere date in August – still to be determined by network
Ok all you Sabrina the Teenage Witch fans – Melissa Joan Hart is back in this comedy that also starts Joey Lawrence of Blossom fame (W’oh!)
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Animal Planet
Channel 53 in Illinois
Channel 67 in Michigan
Channel 57 in Cleveland
Channel 54 in Columbus
Channel 37 in Evansville
Secret Life of Elephants -premieres May 16 @ 8 PM
This special follows wild elephants in Kenya’s Samburu National Reserve.
Last Chance Highway – premieres June 19 @ 10 PM
Kyle Peterson and Shelly Bookwalter transport thousands of abandoned and stray dogs every year to the Northeast from the South, to their new adoptive homes.
Daredevils: Human The Animal Hoarders – premieres July 14 @ 10 PM
This series is from the producers of A&E’s show Intervention and is an honest look at animal hoarders and the people and pets affected by them.
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BET
Channel 58 in Illinois and Michigan
Channel 59 in Cleveland and Columbus
The Moments – 10 Years of the BET Awards – June 14 @ 10 PM
This show will highlight moments from 10 years of BET Awards.
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Big Ten Network
Channel 87 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland, Columbus
Channel 73 in Evansville
The Next Level – September 9th @ 7 PM
This delves into the lives of former Big Ten athletes who’ve taken their talent to the next level.
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DIY Network
Channel 300 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 210 in Evansville
Renovation Rescue – premieres in June
Host Kayleen McCable saves project challenged homeowners who need help and are in over their heads with their home renvoations.
Bath Crasher – premieres July 5th @ 10PM
Matt Muenster is a licensed contractor who helps transforms bathrooms into stunning, modern and functional living spaces.
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Food Network
Channel 69 in Chicago City
Channel 65 in Chicagoland
Channel 42 in Michigan
Channel 38 in Cleveland and Columbus
Channel 43 in Evansville
Cupcake Wars – premieres June 18 @ 10 PM
Four of the country’s top cupcake bakers face off in a series of challenges testing their flavors, creativity and presentation.
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Nat Geo Wild
Channel 316 in Illinois, Michigan, Cleveland and Columbus
World’s Deadliest – premieres June 28 @ 10 PM
This show delves into the hunting abilities of a host of predators who thrive by sticking together, including humpback whales, leopard seals, lions, army ants and more.
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TNT
Channel 31 in Chicago City
Channel 27 in Chicagoland
Channel 23 in Michigan
Channel 25 in Cleveland
Channel 35 in Columbus
Channel 15 in Evansville
Memphis Best – premieres June 22 @ 10 PM
This drama features an all-star cast including Alfre Woodard, Celia Weston and Jason Lee. It follows a quirky Memphis police detective with a connection to the city, a passion for blues music and a close relationship to his mother.
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Stay tuned to The WOW! Buzz for more of what’s coming up on cable TV this summer!
Your Go-To Channel
This past weekend amongst all the NCAA games, I found myself sitting at home trying to find something to watch. Does this ever happen to you? It was so miserable outside on Saturday that I decided to spend my day in front of the TV rather than go outside to be pelted with an icy rain-snow mix. As a TV junkie, I typically have plenty of stuff to watch on my three DVRs but on this particular Saturday, I had nothing. So, I went to my “go-to” channel.
You are probably wondering what is a “go-to” channel? My definition of a go-to channel is the channel that you click to when there is nothing on worth watching. You know that if you “go-to” this channel that you are bound to be able to find something to watch. For me, on Saturdays, my “go-to” channel is A&E. I typically go to A&E on Saturday mornings to watch old episodes of Flip This House. The series features different flippers in different areas turning old or run down houses into a profit. My favorite flippers are Rudy out in L.A. and Peter and Brian in Atlanta. After that ended, I was sucked into watching Billy the Exterminator which I have never seen before. It follows this family of exterminators in Louisiana. It was interesting to see how he got rid of bats in an attic and a raccoon out of a dumpster. After that, they had a marathon of Gene Simmons: Family Jewels. I am not a series follower, but I do enjoy watching the show when they are running marathons.
Now that I shared my “go-to” channel, I would love to hear some of your favorite “go-to” channels/shows.




