It's easy to say summer TV is where the rubbish is shown.

There's some truth in that, but before you toss the remote, there are some very good things on these days.

If you've not caught any of these shows yet, I suggest you do.

1) "Entourage," HBO. This very funny series about young turks in Hollywood is running high this new season, which started only a few weeks ago. It's the best series HBO has in its post-"Sopranos" life and airs Sunday at 10 p.m.

2) "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart," Comedy Central. If you're not a regular viewer, now's the time to check it out. The crazier the news gets, from White House scandals to Paris Hilton interviews, the funnier Stewart and his team get to be. Right now, they're hilarious. Weeknights at 11.

3) "Rescue Me," FX. This series has the capacity to shock on a regular basis, and does. Denis Leary is intense, yet playful, and the female characters on this macho firefighting drama, contrary to some reports, give as good as they get. Wednesday nights at 10.

4) "Big Love," HBO. Now that we've accepted Bill's three-wife, three-house household, this season of "Big Love" can play with, and against, expectations. So far this year, the most unpredictable character has been Bill (Bill Paxton), and he's not through shocking us yet. Monday nights at 9.

5) "Meadowlands," Showtime. Part "Twin Peaks," part "Eureka" and a dash of "Blue Velvet," this comedy-drama about a family relocated to a very unusual witness protection program is one of the more twisted treats of summer. Sunday nights at 10.

6) "The Closer," TNT. Kyra Sedgwick is an all-out TV star here, playing a character so real, and so endearing, that we're with her every step of the way. Monday nights at 9.

7) "Man vs. Wild," Discovery Channel. Bear Grylls is crazy. But when it comes to watching him maneuver through various extreme environments with his MacGyver-type survival skills, he's one of the most entertaining nature guides on TV. Friday nights at 9.

8) "Flight of the Conchords," HBO. This series could be a lot better, but there's something about its low-rent sensibility that wears well. The titular musical duo is undeniably charming, as is their music. Sunday nights at 10:30.

9) "Live From Abbey Road," Sundance. This classy music series is undiluted pleasure: Three acts a week, performing live-to-tape and making magic in the famed Abbey Road studios. Thursday nights at 10.

10) "Hex," BBC America. It's not as good as "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," but it tries to be. Each episode includes at least one scene that's different enough to make you sit up and take notice. Saturday nights at 9.