ERM-TV's top shows for July

Those who know me -- really know me -- know that I love well-written, well-acted and thought-provoking procedural dramas ("Law and Order: Criminal Intent" remains my all-time favorite in the genre). That said, I broke a post-network season resolution never to watch another new show (yes, I'm still whining about NBC's cancellation of "Prime Suspect" and CBS' dumbass move to drop "Unforgettable") and tuned in to "Perception" (Mondays at 10 p.m. on TNT).

I was immediately hooked! Finally, a character I can identify with -- not necessarily on an intellectual level (we do love difficult crossword puzzles, though) but definitely on a mental plane. Let me explain.

Eric McCormick stars as a paranoid schizophrenic neuroscientist and professor who ... how can I say this without indicting myself as a schizoid ... has imaginary encounters with characters, including a psychiatrist. Okay, hallucinatory figures! McCormick's character, Dr. Daniel Pierce, is peculiar, brilliant and oftentimes is downright weird.

In defense of my personal comparison with Dr. Pierce, I did fiddle around in the mind of that psycho, Emerson Chadwick, in "Plotz," the novel co-authored by Sandy Bruney and myself; and I just finished "playing" the role of a serial killer in "Nomad," the soon-to-be-published sequel to "Plotz." And, my alter ego, Treble, wants to be mentioned on the 'Dedication Page" in "Nomad"!

I should mention that Rachael Leigh Cook plays FBI Agent Kate Moretti and Kelly Rowan portrays Natalie Vincent, the invisible psychiatrist. Levar Burton has popped up in two early episodes as a university dean and Daniel's friend.

In choosing ERM-TV's top shows for the month of July, "Perception" easily supplanted "Rizzoli & Isles" in the No. 1 slot. I'm still teary-eyed over the series finale of "Eureka" and was pleased to welcome the first four of the final six episodes of "The Closer." "The Glades," No. 2 in June, nose-dived to No. 5 in July (writers shouldn't have made Jim and Callie's relationship a long-distance one); and just so I could keep both "Burn Notice" and "Royal Pain" in the "Top Ten," there is a tie at No. 10.

"Covert Affairs" and "Warehouse 13" started up -- replacing "Franklin & Bash" and "Drop Dead Diva" on my list; however, "Alphas" (SyFy) didn't score a "Top Ten" mention. In past seasons, I have enjoyed "White Collar," (USA) but that interest has waned (I'll catch up on the summer season by visiting "Entertainment on Demand" when the mood strikes).

Without further ado, here's my "Top Ten" July programs:

  1. Perception (TNT)
  2. Eureka (SyFy)*
  3. Rizzolli & Isles (TNT)
  4. The Closer (TNT)
  5. The Glades (A&E)
  6. Covert Affairs (USA)
  7. Warehouse 13 (SyFy)
  8. Necessary Roughness (USA)
  9. Lost Girl (SyFy)
10. Burn Notice (USA)
10. Royal Pains (USA)

Coming 08.13.12: "Major Crimes," a spin off of "The Closer," with familiar characters, but sans Brenda Lee Johnson (Kyra Sedgwick), the series closer. And, on 09.21.12, "Haven" will premiere on SyFy.

ERM-TV has signed off.
*The series has ended (sob, sob) for "Eureka."