Paulo Costanzo

CHICAGO – USA’s highest rated series returns tonight with the fourth season premiere of the wonderfully breezy “Royal Pains.” I used to love and defend this show but I’m starting to grow concerned that it’s been out in the Hamptons sun for too long and grown complacent.

CHICAGO – USA’s “Royal Pains” has always been a great summer diversion for this critic. It just fits in the warm weather as one can imagine being in the social circle of HankMed, walking the beaches of the Hamptons and hobnobbing with the rich and beautiful.

CHICAGO – USA has a proven formula for success and they show no sign of slowing down in that department, adding new hits like “Covert Affairs” and “Fairly Legal” to a line-up of proven successes like “Burn Notice” and “Psych.” The first season of the very hit-and-miss “Affairs” and the second season of the more-consistent “Royal Pains” recently hit DVD from Universal and they’re both sets designed for fans of the network.

CHICAGO – USA’s “Royal Pains” follows the same, odd season structure as the network’s “White Collar,” which returned earlier this week to USA to pick up where it left off in its second season.

CHICAGO – In our latest edition of HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: TV, we have one mega summer gift bag for season two of USA Network’s “Royal Pains”!

CHICAGO – USA’s “Royal Pains” was one of the most surprising hits of 2009, the #1 new show of the summer season, and it returns even more confident, entertaining, and close-to-perfect with its second season premiere on June 3rd, 2010. It’s highly unlikely that the show will lose any viewers and the buzz around the sophomore season and the release of the first on DVD should actually see numbers increase.

CHICAGO – Premiere episodes of new series really only have to pass one test - will you return for the second week? The jury is still out on the health of a whole season, but the premiere of USA’s new “Royal Pains” is clever, witty, and promising enough that most viewers are very likely to return to see the good doctor in week two.

CHICAGO – One of my favorite horror movies of the last several years, Toby Wilkins’ “Splinter,” will be the centerpiece of a signing event at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, Calif. on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 2 p.m. If you’re anywhere near the store, you should check it out. I would.

Blu-Ray Rating: 4.0/5.0

CHICAGO – “Splinter” has been steadily building buzz since audiences first had a chance to see this twisted creature feature and now it’s destined to become a cult phenomenon on Blu-Ray and DVD. The film won six awards at Screamfest 2008 and earned praise from Variety, CBS-TV, Entertainment Weekly, and New York Magazine on its theatrical run. Horror fans are going to love this film for years to come.