Summer’s not officially over, but with most kids back in school and Labor Day a week away, it’s starting to feel like it. So it’s a perfect time to sit back and watch a little TV to unwind. But you’re still busy, right? So here’s a look at some of the highlights of this week, so you don’t have to sift through all those TV listings yourself.

SUNDAY

Like mosquitoes and camping, two other things that go together: Summer and reality shows. If you’re into “Big Brother,” CBS airs one of its thrice-weekly episodes at 8 p.m.  (The others air Wednesday and Thursday).

If you’re not into that… well, hopefully, you have cable. HBO airs season finales for both “True Blood” and “Newsroom.” While I’ve never caught an episode of “Newsroom,” on “True Blood,” I have been enjoying Tara being a vampire, Bill-Eric forced into togetherness, and guest star Tina Majorino. (Turns out, even vamps need their techies.) Tonight we’ll see if the season ends as strongly as it started.

MONDAY

OK, I’m not saying this is a recommendation. But looking for new network episodes? Yep, more reality shows. On “Bachelor Pad” (8 p.m., ABC), there’s a spelling bee and “surprise elimination” (or at least, yet another opportunity to overuse that term), as well as the new “Stars Earn Stripes” (9 p.m., NBC). Better yet, it’s a great day to catch up on your reading (my current choices: “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn and “Defending Jacob” by William Landay), or clean out your DVR (I just got caught up on “Revenge”… great finale, and now I can’t wait until it comes back.)

 TUESDAY

Tonight’s reality shows: “America’s Got Talent” (8 p.m., NBC) and “Master Chef” (9 p.m., Fox).

But fortunately, if you’re tired of the reality glut, there’s also another summer staple: all those “blue-sky” shows on USA.  Peter butts heads with a political fixer on “White Collar” (8 p.m.) then Annie goes to Cuba on an unsanctioned trip on “Covert Affairs” (9 p.m.).

If you prefer real-world politics, the networks will be bringing you coverage from the Republican National Convention this week, with ABC, NBC, CBS airing it at 7 p.m., and PBS starting at 5 p.m.

WEDNESDAY

One of my guilty pleasures this summer: “Property Brothers” on HGTV. Realtor Drew finds two fixer-uppers for a family, the family chooses which to buy, and then twin Jonathan changes the home from awful to awesome. (The computer designs always amaze me. Like the homeowners, it’s often hard to see past the popcorn ceilings, dirty toilets and dead flies.) Several episodes air today, so it’s a great time to check it out.

 THURSDAY

For football fans, there’s an exhibition game in primetime on Fox as the Oakland Raiders go to Seattle to take on the Seahawks.

Even though it’s the dregs of summer, I’m sure there’s plenty I missed. But for now, I’m resting up because you know what’s just around the corner…. Fall premiere season!

 

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