New episodes of a network TV show that's not canceled airing in the Summer? How is that even possible? I don't know what was behind ABC's choice to air new episodes of Better Off Ted starting this week — but whatever it was, I'll take it!

Better Off Ted only aired a few episodes this Spring, but it was enough to make it qualify as one of my favorite shows of the 2008-09 season. If you haven't caught it yet, the show is a comedy set at a massive science corporation starring Jay Harrington as a manager trying to be a mostly good guy in a mostly evil company and Portia de Rossi as a buttoned-up boss with no such hang-ups about the company's morals. The fake ads aired during each episode are always a highlight for me, as are the supporting cast members, who get to do all kinds of quirky things (in tonight's episode, some turn out to be members of a basement-based medieval fight club).

Despite lackluster ratings, Better Off Ted got renewed for a second season, and it — along with Scrubs — will air at midseason between rounds of Dancing With the Stars. Airing episodes in the Summer is definitely unconventional, but I hope it'll give the show more exposure for when it returns next season. To check out a preview of the upcoming episodes, just read more.

Photo copyright 2009 ABC, Inc.