Summer TV has traditionally been a wasteland of reruns and reality shows. But lately the warmer months have become a time when the cable networks roll out their signature scripted series and the broadcast nets air edgier or quirkier fare. In the tradition of my earlier look at the men of the summer movies, here are some of the guys bringing the heat to the small screen.

Matt Keeslar
on: The Middleman (currently airing, ABC Family)

Alright, so Keeslar has been on my gay pop culture radar for some time for his roles in films like Splendor, Psycho Beach Party and Urbania. (And then there's that Dune mini-series....) For a little while, we didn't see much of Keeslar, but he's hard to ignore on the ABC Family series The Middleman. With a rapid-fire wit that rivals Buffy's best moments, The Middleman's quickly become one of those shows I can't wait to see and Keeslar only gets sexier for me when I realize what great comedy chops he has.

Frederick Weller and Christian De La Fuente
on: In Plain Sight (currently airing, USA Network)

I was surprised when USA's latest procedural series (about US Marshalls working the witness protection program) turned out to be far more addicting than most of USA's shows. Maybe it's the guest stars, which have included the likes of Dave Foley and Missi Pyle. But a definite part of it is getting to see Weller and De La Fuente (who gay audiences probably remember best for playing gay on The Class) in supporting roles every week.

Grant Show
on: Swingtown (currently airing, CBS)

Alright, the pornstache really should be a turn-off, but there's something about Show's performance on Swingtown that totally makes me look past it. And I'm certainly looking forward to seeing how far his character goes when his wife's ex-boyfriend comes to town.

Dillon Casey and Lucas Bryant
on: MVP (currently airing, SOAPNet)

Business-wise, I have no idea why SOAPNet is airing this Canadian hockey soap opera, which got canceled after ten episodes. On the other hand, a quick look at the guys makes me understand why they couldn't resist airing it. Much like the Brit sports soap Footballers' Wives, there are good number of locker room scenes on MVP and that means plenty of scenes with Casey in a towel. Anything less would be a waste of a good six-pack!

It was the much-talked about controversial British teenage drama that first aired on E4, and now Channel 4 is opening up Skins to a whole new audience by reshowing the entire first series on Channel 4.

Skins (which we reported on back here) centers on the lives and loves of a group of 16 to 18-year-old teenagers in Bristol. From the producers of popular drama Shameless, this angst-ridden drama may be aimed at teenagers, but the majority of its content is very adult-oriented. Highly charged issues like drugs, eating disorders, religion, race and sexuality take center stage. In short, all the problems of modern day society teenagers (and adults!) face.

Each episode follows the fortunes of a different teenage character. There’s womaniser Tony (Nicholas Hoult), the smug, intelligent good-looking unofficial leader; unlucky in love virgin Sid (Mike Bailey); fragile, anorexic self-harmer Cassie (Hannah Murray); Michelle (April Pearson), Tony’s adoring on-off girlfriend; party animal Chris (Joseph Dempsie); aspiring musician Jal (Larissa Wilson); Muslim boy Anwar (Dev Patel) and the happy-go-lucky gay one in the group, Maxxie (Mitch Hewer).

Maxxie is portrayed as a proud, openly gay but non-stereotypical homosexual teenager who also has status as one of the lads amongst his peers. Funny, endearing and sensitive, Maxxie is well liked and well adjusted – not to mention gorgeous! Oh, and he’s a proficient tap dancer, too! Cute and a great dancer: can he get any more perfect?! Not if this picture is anything to go by!



Although his role in the first series was relatively small, due to the character’s popularity, series two will feature a lot more Maxxie. And that’s no bad thing!

Despite critics complaining that Skins depicts a stereotypical yet unrealistic portrayal of British teenagers, the series proved a ratings hit when it first aired on E4. Its debut episode peaked at over 2 million viewers, which made it the second highest rated show in the history of E4. Like it or loathe it, this smart, young drama is harsh, hard-hitting, well written and very in your face.

Oh, and before you ask: yes, Nicholas Hoult (Tony) is that kid from About a Boy. Five years on and the sweet kid who gave Hugh Grant a run for his money is all grown up!

Skins is currently being rerun on Channel 4 on Tuesday at 10pm. And the complete first series will be available on DVD in the UK from 24 September 2007.

Here’s a video a fan has put together featuring Maxxie and Tony….

God's Christian Warriors (CNN) 9:00 PM EDT
Christiane Amanpour takes a look at the collision of religion and politics in this three-part documentary. The final chapter, airing tonight, is a look at conservative Christian activists who have taken anti-gay activism as one of their major battles. Nothing terribly new, but a good reminder of how badly these "warriors" want to see us disappear. (Check out our full review for more.)

Who Wants to be a Superhero? (Sci-Fi Channel) 9:00 PM EDT
In a challenge where the two encounter creepy crawly things like snakes and spiders, one of the heroes lets out a frightened scream. Will that scream turn out to be from out contestant Parthenon, as the ads suggest? And, if so, how badly will Stan Lee hold it against him?

Shameless (Sundance Channel) 11:00 PM EDT
In case you missed any episodes of this twisted but unconventionally sweet British series about a family consisting of six kids, an alcoholic father and an absent mother, the Sundance Channel is airing the beginning of the first season once again. Gay teen Ian Gallagher gets a lot of focus in the series, especially his affair with a Muslim store owner.

The View (ABC) Check local listings
Chelsea Handler guest-hosts today as Zac Efron of Hairspray visits.

Big Brother (CBS) 8:00 PM EDT
Tonight's Dustin's last night as Head of Household as we find out if it's the hunky, flirty Nick or Kail, the business owner who probably wouldn't be able to recognize a gay man unless he were wearing his "full makeup," who gets the boot. Who are you cheering for?

Who Wants to be a Superhero? (Sci-Fi) 9:00 PM EDT
If last week's season premiere was any indication, I'm not too worried about out superhero Parthenon disappearing from the show too quickly. He was quick to identify some of the show's tricks and has a good awareness of how the game works. It looks like they're giving the superheroes their costume re-design this week -- I'm looking forward to seeing Ms. Limelight lose the sparkly wig.

Shameless (Sundance Channel) 11:00 PM EDT
The Gallaghers' strange lives continue as security cameras put a crimp in Ian's relationship with his boss at the convenience store, Kash. Eventually, the tension leads Kash's conservative wife, Yvonne, to discover the affair.

Live with Regis and Kelly (Syndicated) Check local listings
Nikki Blonsky shows up to discuss Hairspray.

Who Wants to Be a Superhero? (Sci-Fi) 9:00 PM EDT
I was surprised at how charmed I was by this silly, campy reality series, which was like a highly staged version of Fear Factor that never took itself seriously. (Was I the only one hoping that Pirate Master would bring a similarly silly and staged take on Survivor?) This season's cast includes a gay superhero, Parthenon, who can be a pretty fun guy to chat with as well as a supervillain the cast will be fighting all season.

Mad Men (AMC) 10:00 PM EDT
I have to admit I'm was bit underwhelmed by this period set drama, which mostly seemed to be about how the good ole days weren't so good. Still, I'm coming back to get to know these characters a little better and I am interested in learning more about Salvatore, who pings the gaydar like a sledgehammer.

Shameless (Sundance Channel) 11:00 PM EDT
Tonight's episode is the first season finale. It doesn't sound like Ian has a prominent role, but I've been so enchanted by this quirky drama I'm excited to see a little wrapup.

Welcome to the Parker (Bravo) 11:00 PM EDT
Bravo's latest docu-soap takes a peek at a five star, Palm Springs botique resort. The premiere episode includes a ping pong tournament and a visit from an international food critic. After the break, check out a clip of the series:

Today (NBC) 7:00 AM EDT
The Early Show (CBS) 7:00 AM EDT
Late Night with Conan O'Brien (NBC) 12:35 AM EDT
Today's Hairspray hype includes Christopher Walken making an appearance on the Today show, Zac Efron visiting The Early Show and Queen Latifah stopping to chat with Conan O'Brien.

Live with Regis and Kelly (Syndicated) Check local listings
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart (Comedy Central) 11:00 PM EDT
The Late Show with David Letterman (CBS) 11:35 PM EDT
We'll see the last bits of Chuck & Larry promotion today as Jessica Biel goes to talk with Regis & Kelly, Adam Sandler visits Jon Stewart and Kevin James appearing on David Letterman's show.

Big Brother (CBS) 9:00 PM EDT
Joe is on the chopping block this week, meaning we may see a decent focus on his relationship with Dustin as the show tries to bring closure to the storyline. On the other hand, Joe is campaigning hard, I'd be impressed if he manages to succeed.

Larry King Live (CNN) 9:00 PM EDT
Tammy Faye is a scheduled guest tonight. I'm not sure if I'll be able to handle seeing her as frail as she currently is, but I find the strength she's exhibited lately to be amazing.

Mad Men (AMC) 10:00 EDT
Once the media buzz about this series stopped expressing shock at the idea of a channel with "Classics" in its name airing an original series died down, critics began raving about this series about advertising executives in 1960. The series' cast includes out actor Bryan Batt. From what I hear, one of the main characters is gay, though that storyline is handled subtly for the first several weeks.

Shameless (Sundance Channnel) 11:00 PM EDT
A female classmate, Mandy, sets her sights on Ian in this week's episode and things turn ugly when he turns out to be disinterested in her.

Big Brother (CBS) 8:00 PM EDT
So far, the broadcast edition has only hinted at Nick's flirtations with Joe, something that has captivated live feed and Big Brother After Dark viewers. It'll be interesting to see if that finally comes up, even if it means a cringe-inducing summary of to the story by Julie Chen.

Shameless (Sundance Channel) 11:00 PM EDT
When I first recommended this Brit import last week, I wasn't sure what to expect out of this show (except for grittiness and full-frontal nudity), especially when it came to gay son, Ian. I expected Ian would sit on the sidelines, his homosexuality just being a bit flavor that makes him different from the rest of his dysfunctional family.

That's not the case, as being gay is just a part of who Ian is and he's got a ton of dysfunctions totally unrelated to being gay. Ian's having an affair with Kash, a married Muslim man who owns the convenience store where Ian works. So far, Ian's relationship with his boss has turned out to be just as funny and dysfunctional as the rest of the Gallagher family's stories. Shameless is a series that defies easy explanation, but it's a memorable, enjoyable show.

Big Brother (CBS) 8:00 PM EDT
This year the summer staple is ensuring drama by making the housemates live with "someone from their past who they ahd hoped never to see again," a theme that recalls 2004's "X-Factor" except this time gay housemates are included in the drama. For the first time there are two gay men in the Big Brother cast, Joe and Dustin. The "After Dark" edition (which will carry the internet feed live) also debuts tonight on Showtime Too at Midnight, eastern.

Shameless (Sundance Channel) 11:00 PM EDT
This BAFTA-wining dramedy focusing on the colorful (and by colorful we mean dysfunctional) working-class Gallagher family living in Manchester, makes its Sundance Channel debut tonight. This edgy series is known for it's profanity and boundary-pushing. From what I can tell, Sundance will be airing all four seasons of the series, so there'll be plenty to enjoy if this one turns out to your liking.

Not too much new gay stuff on video store shelves (when are we going to stop pretending that there are still stores that rent movies and that they are still on videotape? NEVER!), but one gay-friendly British series has finally made its way across the pond.

Shameless - The Complete First Season
This British series about a lunatic Manchester family garnered lots of praise over yonder and made its way to the States (via BBC America) in January. Gay 15-year-old brother Ian (Gerard Kearns) is having an affair with his married boss, and their relationship is apparently explored head-on (there are kisses and such), as are Ian's other dalliances -- you can check out a rather naughty and pretty funny clip over here (it features profanity, drug use, and a horrifying cover of a Gwen Stefani song, so we can't post it). Shameless also stars James McAvoy, whom you might know from The Last King of Scotland.