Popwatch planner: 'The Knick,' 'Garfunkel and Oates,' and more

The dog days of summer are rolling in, along with its fair share of chill-out programming. Excluding the gross-out period fare of The Knick (which you should definitely check out), our selections this week all subscribe to a more relaxed vibe. Spend some time early on with a couple of light comedies, and then prepare to get your heart pumping for the week ahead with Step Up and the imminent arrival of Shark Week.

Your pop culture schedule for the week is:

SUNDAY 8/3

Guardians of the Galaxy in theaters

Maybe you’ve already seen it. Maybe you haven’t. Either way, your life could use a little more Star Lord.

MONDAY 8/4

The Awesomes, Hulu streaming

You might think that seeing superheroes online and in theaters would be a little too much, but Seth Meyers’ cheeky comedy is just the right pick-me-up for a lazy summer day.

TUESDAY 8/5

Nathan for You, 10:30 p.m., Comedy Central

The business guru/comedian helps a dating site this week. As we know from last season, he’s a bit of a hunk, so we see this going great.

WEDNESDAY 8/6

Altman, 8 p.m., Epix

It might not be as intricate as one of famed director Robert Altman’s movies, but this memorial to the late filmmaker might be enough to ponder on its own. Bonus points for an appearance from Bruce Willis.

THURSDAY 8/7

Garfunkel and Oates, 10 p.m., IFC

Garfunkel (Riki Lindhome) and Oates (Kate Miucci) have already made a name for themselves through a series of Youtube videos and HBO shorts. The beginning of their very own show promises to bring on more of their wittily acerbic lyrics, as well as some witty, acerbic action.

FRIDAY 8/8

The Knick, 10 p.m., Cinemax

The new TV drama set in New York’s Knickerbocker Hospital has everything: a cocaine-addled, mustachioed Clive Owen, retired director Steven Soderbergh, shots of brothels from the year 1900—wait, are we sure this isn’t a club that Stefon would go to?

OR

Please Like Me, 10:30 p.m., Pivot

If The Knick’s gore’s too much for you, check you Please Like Me. Often described as the gay, Australian Girls, the show’s become a lot more than that, as its second season adds a new love interest, a leap forward in time, and a baby.

SATURDAY 8/9

Step Up All In in theaters

You know you want to.

SUNDAY 8/10

Air Jaws: Fin of Fury, 8 p.m., Discovery

Cancel your plans. SHARK WEEK BEGINS NOW.