NASHVILLE

I tried not to let my disdain for country music affect my opinion when I sat down to watch Nashville, and instead, found myself seriously enjoying the music, plot, and characters. Hayden Panetierre plays a rising young country star (think Taylor Swift), while Connie Britton’s once “Queen of Country” character is pushed aside by the new generation, enjoying little commercial success as she ages (She’s asked by her label to open for the hot new starlet instead. The horror!) Look into it, especially if you like country. It’s great seeing a show that already has its footing, and Nashville‘s definitely got command on the setting and its look into the music industry heirarchy. Oh, and Callie Khouri (Oscar-winning writer of Thelma and Louise) created it, so there are some fantastic, twangy one-liners. Let’s hope it doesn’t start to tank like NBC’s musical-drama Smash, but so far, it’s off to a promising start.

WHEN? Wednesdays at

9 p.m. on ABC

GO ON

NBC ordered a slew of new comedies this fall, all of which failed to deliver. However, Go On, which follows sportscaster Ryan King who is forced to join a support group after the loss of his wife, stands out for multiple reasons. Its TV veteran lead, Matthew Perry, carries the show with his sardonic wit that made Friends so enjoyable (although I can’t help but think at times, “Is this what would happen to Chandler if Monica died?”). Its supporting cast is mostly unknowns who comprise Ryan’s support group. These idiosyncratic, diverse humans all grieve over different things in different ways, including a young woman who can’t get over the death of her cat: who can’t find the hilarity and honesty in that? And it’s about 2/3 humor, 1/3 heart. Seriously, it’s hilarious but touching when it needs to be. Loss is a difficult subject, but Go On deals with it in the best way a sitcom could. I won’t make any sweeping claims about where

this show will go, but it’s my favorite of the season thus far.

WHEN? Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on

NBC

THE MINDY PROJECT

I love Mindy Kaling. I love her autobiography, her Twitter, and especially her role as Kelly Kapoor on The Office. She’s written and directed some of its best episodes. Which is why I can’t understand how The Mindy Project, which Kaling created and stars in, fails to strike me the same way. The plot: Mindy Lahiri is a single OB/GYN who loves romantic comedies, and the series follows her personal and work life with other physicians. Except she’s pretty selfish and unlikable, too. This type of character can work as a lead, but only if the material is consistently fresh AND the audience is given reason to sympathize with him/her. So far, Mindy has not been more than a caricature, and I can’t find myself wanting her to succeed or find love. What worked for Kaling on The Office (when she wasn’t the main focus) does not work here. Instead, I’m more interested in her friends, especially Chris Messina and Ed Weeks’ supporting characters. It’s a funny show, don’t get me wrong. I’ll keep watching it. I just hope that the writers find ways to make their lead more well-rounded as the season progresses.

WHEN? Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m.

on FOX