The summer gets a lot brighter with the arrival of Royal Pains and Necessary Roughness on the USA Network this month. Both shows offer freshness and energy to a summer landscape that is filled with tired reruns and lifeless "new" shows. Royal Pains is the lighter fare of the two and is the perfect offering for a hot summer night when coolness is king. Necessary Roughness is a little heavier fare but still a show that is easily digestible for summer viewing.
Royal Pains is familiar to a legion of fans who anticipate its semi-regular recurrence. Once again Mark Feuerstein brings to life the character of Dr, Hank Lawson, a concierge doctor operating out of a luxurious home in the Hamptons. Returning with him are Hank's brother Evan (Paulo Costanza), his girlfriend Jill (Jill Flint), and Hank's assistant Divya (Reshma Shetty).
Also popping up with some regularity are guest stars Henry Winkler, Campbell Scott and Christine Ebersole. They add spice to a series that is already abounding with talent. Each character in this show is endearing in some way be it Hank with his gentle spirit, Evan with his shaky ego, Divya with her family problems or Jill with her romantic questions.
Each episode of Royal Pains is a joy to watch. The scripts are well written, the scenery is lush, and the actors are all believable and enjoyable in their roles. In short -- what's not to like? Royal Pains is a show you can anticipate and enjoy this summer. Make sure you do.
Necessary Roughness is a new series. It stars Callie Thorne as Dr. Dani Santino, a New York psychotherapist. As the show opens she is discovering that her husband has been cheating on her. In a rage she casts him out. Now it is just her, her two kids, and her meddling mother.
Still as one door closes, another one opens. Dani meets Matthew Donnally (Marc Blucas) who is a trainer for the New York Hawks. He introduces her to the manager of the team and gets her a job treating their star receiver Terrence King (Mehcad Brooks). Treating Terrence is not an easy thing to do and Dani finds this player wants to be treated like one of the family.
Necessary Roughness deals with some tough issues such as abandonment and infidelity, therefore its tone is a little heavier than Royal Pains. Still this show is so easy to enjoy that you won't argue over it taking some darker turns. Thorne is perfectly cast as Dani and Blucas, Brooks, and Scott Cohen provide able support.
So tune in to both of these shows. Royal Pains premieres Wednesday, June 29 at 9pm followed immediately by Necessary Roughness at 10 on the USA Network. Your forecast for summer viewing pleasure just got a whole lot brighter.
Jackie K Cooper
www.jackiekcooper.com