We’re in July, the heart of summer. That means your options on the small screen are limited, at least when it comes to new shows.
The network TV season is long, running from September through May. And there are often shows you missed or couldn’t get to during the rest of the network season. That makes summer a perfect time to play catchup. Below are five network series from the 2025-2026 season that are worth seeking out!
Best Medicine
Where did it air? Tuesdays on Fox
Where can you stream it? The first season is streaming now on Hulu
Will it be back? The show was picked up for a second season this fall.
What's it about? The show centers on Dr. Martin Best (Josh Charles), a renowned big-city surgeon who leaves that job to take the role of being the town doctor for Port Wenn, Maine. It’s not a place that’s foreign to him, as his aunt (Annie Potts) lives there, and he spent summers there. But he’s decidedly a fish-out-of-water as a by-the-rules, uptight guy in a quirky small town that’s all about weekly festivals, relationships, and gossip.
Nevertheless, it’s where he needs to be, as he’s dealing with a paralyzing fear of blood—a big problem for a doctor. His overly friendly assistant (Cree) helps cover for him while he makes friends with the Sheriff (Josh Segura) and falls for the local teacher (Abigail Spencer) while finding his way in this small town.
Why it’s worth the investment: Did you enjoy Gilmore Girls? Were you at home in Stars Hollow or the Hart of Dixie? Then this is your jam. It’s part medical show, as there are cases for Dr. Best to solve, but it’s mostly a character drama about a quirky small town that you’ll fall in love with quickly.
DMV
Where did it air? Mondays on CBS
Where can you stream it? The whole first season is streaming on Paramount+
Will it be back? Sadly no. It is a one-and-done sitcom
What's it about: This is a traditional sitcom set at the East Hollywood DMV. You had me at DMV. You meet all the quirky people that staff the DVM, centering on a trio of driving instructors (Harriet Dyer, Tim Meadows, and Tony Cavalero), the sassy photographer (Gigi Zumbado), the Australian desk clerk (Aggy Tarrant), and the out-of-her-depth new manager (Molly Kearney).
Why it’s worth the investment: I love a good sitcom. This one has a great hook. Who among us hasn’t struggled through a day at the DMV? None of the people that are working seem like they want to be there, and this show adopts the premise that is the case. But it’s also a fun workplace comedy with some great, zany jokes. I was bummed this didn’t get a second-season pickup, but it's worth seeking out for a little summer fun!
Murder in a Small Town
Where did it air? Tuesdays in the Fall on FOX
Where can you stream it? Both seasons, 18 episodes total, are streaming on Hulu
Will it be back? Yes, it was renewed for a third season, which will be delayed until 2027.
What's it about: This series is based on the book series from L.R. Wright. It focuses on Chief Alberg (Rossif Sutherland), the police chief in a small town in the Pacific Northwest. He’s a big-city cop and a great investigator who is keeping the peace in an idyllic small town plagued by some big-city crime. Along the way, he’s drawn to the local librarian, Cassandra Lee (Kristin Kreuk), with whom he becomes involved. Together, they form a powerful team at the heart of this town.
Why it’s worth the investment: I didn’t know what to make of this when it aired last fall. Soon, I fell in love. I am totally bought into the relationship between Alberg and Cassandra, and Sutherland and Kreuk are great in these roles. The cases are interesting, and the setting has small-town charm. It’s not played for laughs, like in Best Medicine, but it seems like a fun place to go and enjoy some coffee or a slice of pie! Plus, there are mysteries!
R.J. Decker
Where did it air? Tuesdays on ABC
Where can you stream it? The entire first season is streaming on Hulu
Will it be back? Yes, a second season will air Tuesdays this fall on ABC
What’s it about: The series is based on the novel from Carl Hiaasen. It centers on a newspaper photographer, Decker (Scott Speedman), who is framed for an assault and sent to prison. Now out, he’s rebuilding his life as a private investigator. He’s aided by his old cellmate (Kevin Rankin), his ex-wife (Adelaide Clemens) and her new cop wife (Bevin Bru), as well as the woman (Jaina Lee Ortiz) whose testimony put him in prison!
Why it’s worth the investment: This is a fun drama. It’s got mystery elements, with a case-of-the-week. But it’s also got a wryer sense of humor. R.J. Decker is a quirky character, but it’s a quirky world built around him. This show slid in beautifully with Will Trent and High Potential on Tuesdays in the spring and will make for a nice watch after Dancing With the Stars this fall!
Scrubs
Where did it air? Wednesdays on ABC
Where can you stream it? The re-booted series has its latest season, and other seasons, streaming on Hulu
Will it be back? Yes, a second season of the new installment will return for ABC
What’s it about: Scrubs originally debuted in 2001 and ran for nine seasons on NBC and ABC. Now 25 years later, we return to Sacred Heart and catch up with J.D. (Zach Braff), Turk (Donald Faison), and Elliot (Sarah Chalke), who are running the hospital and imparting their wisdom and experience on a new generation of young doctors.
Why it’s worth the investment: I was a fan of Scrubs when it originally aired, watching all nine seasons. It felt like a piece of nostalgia to return to the world, these characters, the set, and the style of comedy. Bill Lawrence is a prolific TV creator, but this is one of his classic series. We get familiar characters played by John C. McGinley and Judy Reyes back at times, too. But this felt like slipping on a familiar pair of sweatpants and enjoying a quiet evening at home.
Add us as a preferred source on Google