SeeCalifornia.com

My family can’t believe I am watching re-runs of Seinfield for the millionth time. There’s nothing to watch on TV now except reruns. It’s going to be a long summer…

During this past winter and spring 2013 season there were other options, and among them were several series that I actually will look forward to seeing continued in the fall. One such show was a new weekly made-for-TV series called Bates Motel based on the thriller, Psycho. A modern re-imagining and prequel to the Alfred Hitchcock 1960 movie Psycho, the story begins with the earlier years of a teenage Norman Bates and his mother Norma who live in an old house overlooking the adjoining motel which they are renovating. The house and hotel both come with secrets of their own as does the new town which the Bates’ now call home. Though the show’s dark drama is often laced with humor, there are some shocking moments–such as the character development of an odd teenage boy, Norman, who finds comfort sharing a bed with his attractive and very controlling mother.

Several great programs on PBS were produced by BBC–Downton Abbey, a Masterpiece Theatre production, and Mr. Selfridge,  featuring American actor Jeremy Piven. Finally, Vera, a British detective television series based on the works of crime author Ann Cleeves, was produced by ITV and is shown on our PBS stations in the U.S.