Best & Worst Summer TV Shows Of 2014

By Team TVLine Sept. 19, 2014 11:33 pm EST

24-live-another-day-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: 24: Live Another Day (Fox) Jack Bauer’s latest very bad day began in the spring, but Live Another Day's final, summertime stretch of episodes were classic 24, amping up the intensity and paying off with a thrilling finale.

WINNER: 24: Live Another Day (Fox)

Jack Bauer's latest very bad day began in the spring, but Live Another Day's final, summertime stretch of episodes were classic 24, amping up the intensity and paying off with a thrilling finale.

alex-saxon-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Alex Saxon, Finding Carter (MTV) Originally intended as a one-episode guest-star — then poised to be killed off in Episode 10 — Alex Saxon captured viewers’ hearts, and MTV’s attention, as lovable stoner Max.

WINNER: Alex Saxon, Finding Carter (MTV)

Originally intended as a one-episode guest-star — then poised to be killed off in Episode 10 — Alex Saxon captured viewers' hearts, and MTV's attention, as lovable stoner Max.

top-model-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: America's Next Top Model (The CW) An August premiere date and a guy/girl mix made this seemingly tired staple worth watching again.

WINNER: America's Next Top Model (The CW)

An August premiere date and a guy/girl mix made this seemingly tired staple worth watching again.

bachelor-in-paradise-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Bachelor in Paradise (ABC) Our hats off to Paradise's editors: Zero earnestness, tons of mockery and treating the "players" as absurdly as they behave yielded decent enough ratings for Season 2.

WINNER: Bachelor in Paradise (ABC)

Our hats off to Paradise's editors: Zero earnestness, tons of mockery and treating the "players" as absurdly as they behave yielded decent enough ratings for Season 2.

bojack-horseman-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: BoJack Horseman (Netflix) Netflix wasn't Horsin’ Around with its new animated comedy about a former sitcom stallion attempting a career comeback; we’re already chomping at the bit for Season 2.

WINNER: BoJack Horseman (Netflix)

Netflix wasn't Horsin' Around with its new animated comedy about a former sitcom stallion attempting a career comeback; we're already chomping at the bit for Season 2.

chasing-life-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Chasing Life (ABC Family) ABC Family's heartwarming — though, at times, heartbreaking — drama is just what the doctor ordered.

WINNER: Chasing Life (ABC Family)

ABC Family's heartwarming — though, at times, heartbreaking — drama is just what the doctor ordered.

extant-summer-tv-best-worst

LOSER: Extant (CBS) Extant had Halle Berry, splashy sci-fi, lots of buzz and a spooky-and-promising premise — too bad it also had lackluster writing, a slow-to-start story and an alien menace that turned out to be... a little kid in a red hoodie?

LOSER: Extant (CBS)

Extant had Halle Berry, splashy sci-fi, lots of buzz and a spooky-and-promising premise — too bad it also had lackluster writing, a slow-to-start story and an alien menace that turned out to be... a little kid in a red hoodie?

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WINNER: Finding Carter (MTV) MTV’s family drama about an abductee reuniting with her biological family had us hooked from day one. We can’t wait to find Carter (again) in 2015.

WINNER: Finding Carter (MTV)

MTV's family drama about an abductee reuniting with her biological family had us hooked from day one. We can't wait to find Carter (again) in 2015.

girl-meets-world-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Girl Meets World (Disney Channel) The whole World was buzzing about this spin-off series, and Disney Channel had no trouble Meet-ing those expectations; season 2 premieres in 2015.

WINNER: Girl Meets World (Disney Channel)

The whole World was buzzing about this spin-off series, and Disney Channel had no trouble Meet-ing those expectations; season 2 premieres in 2015.

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LOSER: Graceland (USA Network) The action-drama turned off many fans with a sophomore run that made most every character some degree of unlikeable.

LOSER: Graceland (USA Network)

The action-drama turned off many fans with a sophomore run that made most every character some degree of unlikeable.

italia-ricci-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Italia Ricci, Chasing Life (ABC Family) One of summer TV’s brightest breakout stars, Italia Ricci played us like fiddles with her stunning portrayal of young cancer patient April Carver, earning her a spot as one of TVLine’s Performers of the Week.

WINNER: Italia Ricci, Chasing Life (ABC Family)

One of summer TV's brightest breakout stars, Italia Ricci played us like fiddles with her stunning portrayal of young cancer patient April Carver, earning her a spot as one of TVLine's Performers of the Week.

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WINNER: The Last Ship (FX) TNT’s Michael Bay-produced drama took what’s fast becoming an overdone premise — good guys versus bad virus! — but gave it enough fresh flair to put up solid numbers and score a Season 2.

WINNER: The Last Ship (FX)

TNT's Michael Bay-produced drama took what's fast becoming an overdone premise — good guys versus bad virus! — but gave it enough fresh flair to put up solid numbers and score a Season 2.

leftovers-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: The Leftovers (HBO) HBO's quietly compelling rapture allegory yielded some of the greatest performances of the summer — actually, make that year.

WINNER: The Leftovers (HBO)

HBO's quietly compelling rapture allegory yielded some of the greatest performances of the summer — actually, make that year.

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WINNER: Orange Is the New Black (Netflix) The second season of Netflix’s wickedly funny comedy was so good, that [insert really cheesy prison joke here].

WINNER: Orange Is the New Black (Netflix)

The second season of Netflix's wickedly funny comedy was so good, that [insert really cheesy prison joke here].

outlander-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Outlander (Starz) By hewing verra close to Diana Gabaldon's popular historical novel, the Starz series earned the approval of fans worldwide -- who tuned in in droves and, apparently, convinced their friends to do the same.

WINNER: Outlander (Starz)

By hewing verra close to Diana Gabaldon's popular historical novel, the Starz series earned the approval of fans worldwide — who tuned in in droves and, apparently, convinced their friends to do the same.

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WINNER: NBCThe red-hot Peacock -- which just sewed up its No. 1 ratings champ status for the 52-week season -- had a sunshiney summer with The Night Shift (renewed!), Welcome to Sweden (renewed!), Taxi Brooklyn (a steady performer ripe for renewal), a dominating Talent show and a mighty Ninja Warrior.

WINNER: NBC

The red-hot Peacock — which just sewed up its No. 1 ratings champ status for the 52-week season — had a sunshiney summer with The Night Shift (renewed!), Welcome to Sweden (renewed!), Taxi Brooklyn (a steady performer ripe for renewal), a dominating Talent show and a mighty Ninja Warrior.

pretty-little-liars-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family) Pretty Little Liars’ “fatal finale” proved the ABC Family drama can still blow viewers’ minds — while scaring up killer ratings.

WINNER: Pretty Little Liars (ABC Family)

Pretty Little Liars' "fatal finale" proved the ABC Family drama can still blow viewers' minds — while scaring up killer ratings.

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LOSER: Rising Star (ABC) ABC’s latest failed bid to enter the singing-series fray — remember Duets? — never quite clicked with America; consider that wall permanently lowered.

LOSER: Rising Star (ABC)

ABC's latest failed bid to enter the singing-series fray — remember Duets? — never quite clicked with America; consider that wall permanently lowered.

saved-by-the-bell-summer-tv-best-worst

LOSER: The Unauthorized Saved By the Bell Story (Lifetime) When it comes to made-for-TV movies, there’s so-good-it’s-bad… and then there’s just bad. Guess which category this one fell under.

LOSER: The Unauthorized Saved By the Bell Story (Lifetime)

When it comes to made-for-TV movies, there's so-good-it's-bad... and then there's just bad. Guess which category this one fell under.

sharknado-2-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Sharknado 2: The Second One (Syfy) Syfy's buzzy — not to mention buzz-sawed — sequel was a perfect storm of hilarious special effects and self-aware dialogue. (Also, do yourself a favor and watch TVLine's interview with the iconic Tara Reid.)

WINNER: Sharknado 2: The Second One (Syfy)

Syfy's buzzy — not to mention buzz-sawed — sequel was a perfect storm of hilarious special effects and self-aware dialogue. (Also, do yourself a favor and watch TVLine's interview with the iconic Tara Reid.)

this-week-tonight-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO) Occasionally silly, frequently sassy and always insightful, Last Week Tonight only gets one criticism from us: Why can't this be a daily thing?

WINNER: Last Week Tonight With John Oliver (HBO)

Occasionally silly, frequently sassy and always insightful, Last Week Tonight only gets one criticism from us: Why can't this be a daily thing?

true-blood-summer-tv-best-worst

LOSER: True Blood (HBO) HBO’s vampire drama capped off its seven-season run with a finale that left fans — well, pretty furious. (35 percent of TVLine readers gave it a big fat “F,” followed closely by “C” and “D.”)

LOSER: True Blood (HBO)

HBO's vampire drama capped off its seven-season run with a finale that left fans — well, pretty furious. (35 percent of TVLine readers gave it a big fat "F," followed closely by "C" and "D.")

under-the-dome-summer-tv-best-worst

LOSER: Under the Dome (CBS) The CBS drama took a creative nosedive in Season 2, introducing characters and subplots that created more questions than they answered — and completely abandoning what made Season 1 so successful.

LOSER: Under the Dome (CBS)

The CBS drama took a creative nosedive in Season 2, introducing characters and subplots that created more questions than they answered — and completely abandoning what made Season 1 so successful.

wendy-williams-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: The Wendy Williams Show As The View messily said goodbye to 3/4 of its cast, Wendy Williams was providing a hilarious, dishy daytime talk-show alternative — and there's no rude interruptions during her one-woman "Hot Topics" segment, either.

WINNER: The Wendy Williams Show

As The View messily said goodbye to 3/4 of its cast, Wendy Williams was providing a hilarious, dishy daytime talk-show alternative — and there's no rude interruptions during her one-woman "Hot Topics" segment, either.

witches-of-east-end-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: Witches of East End (Lifetime) Lifetime’s bewitching drama took big, bold risks in its second season — two words: tentacle sex — and like magic, they all paid off. Our only question: Why hasn’t the network conjured up a Season 3 renewal, yet?

WINNER: Witches of East End (Lifetime)

Lifetime's bewitching drama took big, bold risks in its second season — two words: tentacle sex — and like magic, they all paid off. Our only question: Why hasn't the network conjured up a Season 3 renewal, yet?

youre-the-worst-summer-tv-best-worst

WINNER: You're the Worst (FX) We don't like to throw the word "perfect" around very often, but we dare you to find a flaw — aside from the tepid ratings, of course — in FX's anti-romantic comedy. (More like You're the Best, right?)

WINNER: You're the Worst (FX)

We don't like to throw the word "perfect" around very often, but we dare you to find a flaw — aside from the tepid ratings, of course — in FX's anti-romantic comedy. (More like You're the Best, right?)