For TV fans, the summer months can be brutal. Sure, you might have DVR'd every episode of The Vampire Diaries, Game of Thrones, or whatever television show you fancy, but sometimes you just want…something more.
We hear you loud and clear. Which is why, during these hard times, we'd like to offer you a list of series, both scripted and unscripted, that you might not be watching, but you totally should be. And we tell you where to get caught up on them if you've been missing out. Check out our picks and let us help get you over your summer TV slump!
Chopped: For foodies, there is no better cooking competition than Chopped on Food Network. Are you more interested in the cooking than in the petty, personal drama other cooking shows bring? Then Chopped is what you want to be watching. A constantly revolving door of chefs and mystery ingredients make every episode different than the one before, plus host Ted Allen is flawless. You can't go wrong! Hulu has old episodes if you want a taste, plus Food Network airs reruns nonstop all week.
Dance Moms: Lifetime's reality series chronicling the early careers of child dancers and their bats--t crazy mother's is definitely not for everyone. But if it's up your alley it's one of the best unscripted series on TV, delving deep into the sometimes shallow world of kid performers and their overbearing parents. Dance Moms airs Tuesday's at 9 p.m. and you can catch up on all the episodes from this season here.
Hell on Wheels: While slaving away in our cubicles bringing our lovely readers TV scoop we admit we sometimes often daydream of wide open spaces, horses and hot cowboys. Anson Mount is the perfect hot brooding lead for the AMC drama and we are counting down the days until he is back on our TVs. But Hell on Wheels is not just hot cowboys, but badass ladies—like Dominique McElligott as Lily Bell—we wish we knew in real life. If you haven't caught up on season one, you have plenty of time before season two drops on August 12 at 9 pm.
Louie: Louis C.K. is the golden boy of comedy right now, so if you haven't watched his FX series yet, what are you waiting for? There's a reason everyone thinks he's a lock for an Emmy nod, so head on over to FX's website and get in on the funny, and watch new episodes every Thursday at 10:30 p.m.
Misfits: Happy birthday, America! Let's celebrate by watching episodes of this ridiculously entertaining British series. Misfits has science-fiction, drama and comedy, all rolled into one ball as we follow a group of teenagers who obtain supernatural powers while being locked up in juvy. Sounds insanely awesome, right? Trust us when we say, you don't know the half of it until you watch it for yourself.
My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding: We watch a ton of questionable reality shows, but nothing can compare to this wacky reality show from TLC. It's so popular that the U.K. version even has an American spinoff, but frankly nothing can compare to the original Brits. The show takes a look into the fascinating lives of Irish and Romani Gypsies living in England. Between the fascinating "courting" habits and Gypsy culture, we can't stop watching. However, it's a little bit heartbreaking when you look past the neon bridesmaid dresses and elaborate cakes to realize that this is truly the best day these teen girls will experience in their lives. Pulled out of school and spending days caring for siblings and cleaning the caravan, life post-wedding is anything but glitzy. Things just got deep. Sorry about that. Check out this guilty pleasure, purely for anthropological reasons of course.
Pawn Stars: This reality seires following the daily deals at a Las Vegas pawn shop is a special kind of show, meaning that you'll start watching an episode during a marathon on History channel, and then five hours later you are still watching! It's highly addictive, and you actually get to learn cool facts about duh, history! If anything, watch the show for The Old Man, who is the best reality character to ever exist.
Southland: Do you like cop shows? Do you like awesome TV? Are you completely caught up on the TNT hit? No?! Go now and start watching, we'll wait. This show is one of our absolute favorites and despite a change of network and a streamlined cast, it's only gotten better since its move. Bonus, the shortened seasons will make it really easy to get caught up. Regina King, Michael Cudlitz, Ben McKenzie and Shawn Hatosy are all so perfect we couldn't even begin to choose a favorite L.A. cop, so don't make us.
The Borgias: This Spring our DVRs got quite the workout on Sunday nights, it's an embarrassment of riches between Game of Thrones and Mad Men—not to mention all the network shows. So it hurts us to admit that we just didn't have time to stay up on our favorite dysfunctional family of Showtime. But we are all caught up now! Jeremy Irons is arguably one of the best actors. Ever. Holliday Grainger, François Arnaud and David Oakes delight as Pope Alexander VI's ambitious children. Sex, murder, politics...what more could you want in your historical drama? But if you aren't quite ready to commit to a Showtime subscription, you can check out the season two premiere for free online.
Wilfred: Season two of this dark FX comedy is underway and it's hilarious. Straddling a fine line between hilarious and bizarre, the ultimate boy and his (lewd pot-smoking Australian) dog story is one of our favorite shows. Elijah Wood and Jason Gann play the most unlikely of BFFs, but frankly, the weirder it gets, the better it gets. Good news, kids! Last season's finale and season two's special preview are available to watch online now. Plus, you can catch all new episodes on Thursdays at 10 pm.
Workaholics: If The Office got a hundred times crazier, would you love it more? If you answered yes, then you will adore Workaholics. It's equal parts buddy comedy and workplace comedy, with enough stoner shenanigans and crazy-talented castmembers to keep the whole family entertained! And by the whole family, we mean no children or old folks. Netflix has every episode on instant streaming, and you can catch new episodes on Tuesday nights on Comedy Central.