You know, I'm really not a fan of cycling. I enjoy riding my bikes and I don't care that much about other people's cycling escapades. But, I do watch the Tour de France and I'm completely in to it. Why? I think it's because nothing else is on.

TV executives must think Americans don't set foot in their living rooms during the summer. I don't know about you, but while my social calendar is fuller in the summer, but there are still nights (like tonight, for example) when I'm home doing laundry and I'd like to watch some television. Good luck.

Of course, there are a few (a very few) bright spots in the summer TV abyss. Here are my favorite summer guilty pleasures:

• Greek: don't be put off by the fact that this show is on the ABC Family channel. It's racy, funny and sweet all at the same time. The premise: sorority girl Casey has to deal with the arrival of geeky (but wonderful) little brother Rusty on campus. Rusty ends up pledging the fraternity of Casey's old flame, Cappy, and establishing a rivalry with Casey's new boyfriend Evan.
• Big Brother: you can't beat the human drama of Big Brother. While the twists are inevitably lame, the mindgames are endlessly involving. The contestants are real people and without editing you see real personalties emerge. People you hated at first sight start to grow on you (Jen!) and seemingly charming folks show their true colors (Evil Dick!).
• Top Chef: Hostess Padma Lakshmi (aka the former Mrs. Salmon Rushdie) not only proves that ugly rich guys can bag beautiful wives, but also that you don't need to taste the food to have an opinion about it.
• Ice Road Truckers: Okay, I'll admit that I only half watch this one. I love the very straightforward name and when it's super hot out there's nothing better than seeing loads and loads of snow and ice.

So that's what I'm watching. How about you? Has anyone caught Simon Schama's Power of Art? It sounds fantastic but I haven't had a chance to see it yet.