Many of your favorite shows may have ended for the regular season, but don't let the remote gather dust. Some warm-weather favorites and a few brand-new options will soon be kicking off, so sit back and blast the AC.
'America's Got Talent' offers fresh competition
Summer's wackiest talent show is back, as are host Nick Cannon and judges Howard Stern, Howie Mandel, Heidi Klum and Mel B. Supermodel Klum told TODAY that the show's adding a new twist. The golden buzzer will give each judge one shot at saving a contestant that the others want eliminated. In addition to the bizarre talents on stage, Klum said audiences can expect to see hijinks from the cast, including Mandel doing a shirtless jig, Cannon getting jumped and Klum herself smooching a swine. (Premieres May 27, airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on NBC.)
Sail off on an adventure with 'Crossbones'
Looking for something with a bit of star power? Try John Malkovich's new show, "Crossbones," in which he stars as dread pirate Blackbeard. The drama, set in 1729, features the pirate ruling the island of Santa Compana, which outlaws have made their home. "Covert Affairs" star Richard Coyle plays Tom Lowe, an English prisoner who's actually a spy sent to kill Blackbeard. Ahoy! Intrigue clearly lies ahead! (Premieres May 30, airs Fridays at 10 p.m. on NBC.)
Miss 'Mad Men'? Try 'Halt and Catch Fire'
AMC is launching another period drama, this time set during the booming tech industry in 1983. Lee Pace stars as a visionary former IBM executive named Joe MacMillan who is trying to get his new employer into the computer revolution. The show also stars Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis as Joe's cohorts. (Premieres June 1, airs Sundays at 10 p.m. on AMC.)
Serve some time with 'Orange Is the New Black'
In season 2 of Netflix’s hit series, the inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary remain confined as their stories run free. A sneak peek at the first episode suggests that Piper Chapman has been locked in solitary for last season’s bloody beatdown of Pennsatucky, gradually going nuts as she turns breakfast foods into “art.” Meanwhile, the trailer hints that characters such as Dayanara, Big Boo and Taystee are in for heated showdowns, hot hookups and even some happy times. And there’s a new inmate on the scene: Vee, an unwelcome figure from Red’s past who also may be a love interest for Crazy Eyes. As for Piper’s romantic life? “I’m a lone wolf, and a vicious one,” she snarls to an unseen foe in the trailer. That should give hope to critics who’d like Piper’s estranged fiancé, played by Jason Biggs, written off the show. (Watch at your leisure on Netflix starring June 6.)
Buckle up for 'Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee'
Celeb guests on Jerry Seinfeld’s Emmy-nominated web series can skip the milk and sugar, but they need a sense of humor — and a seatbelt. As season four revs up, Seinfeld will hit the road with funny folks including Jon Stewart, Robert Klein, George Wallace, Sarah Jessica Parker and Aziz Ansari. Judging by past episodes, viewers can look forward to plenty of hilariously weird revelations in the stars’ casual coffeehouse chats. (Remember when David Letterman admitted to fearing the supermarket? Or when Tina Fey matter-of-factly explained that she is charge of “all the household feces” in her family?) Though the episodes are brief — typically 11 to 22 minutes — they’re sure to serve comedy fans a latte laughs. (New episodes every Thursday beginning June 19 on ComediansInCarsGettingCoffee.com.)
TV will suck in a good way when 'True Blood' returns
Spend one final summer with your favorite residents of Bon Temps. HBO's hit supernatural drama kicks off its final season this summer, and if the teasers are any indication, it's going to be one bloody farewell. Season six left off with a horde of Hep-V infected vampers closing in on a human-healthy vamp gathering, and it doesn't seem like that's going to pick up on a particularly happy note. Sookie (Anna Paquin) even notes in one trailer, "I can't take anybody else dying because of me." (Premieres June 22, airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on HBO.)
Get schooled by the 'Masters of Sex'
Showtime's critically acclaimed drama about sex researchers William Masters and Virginia Johnson returns right where it left off, according to show creator Michelle Ashford. The finale saw Bill insisting that he needed Ginny, and Barton Scully (Beau Bridges) admitting to his wife that he prefers men, and seeking electroshock therapy as a cure. Libby, Bill's wife, also gave birth in the finale, and executive producer Sarah Timberman teased to EW that the new season will "explore his ambivalence about parenthood." Sarah Silverman will have a recurring guest role in the sophomore season. (Premieres July 13, airs Sundays at 10 on Showtime.)