"I have been but little in," said Ninian hastily...

I was talking to the Grrlz last night about television programs I watch, and Mel was struck by how many detective shows I watch. I do tend to gravitate that way, partly because there are a lot of them on freeview and I don't do cable any more. But I've been wanting to see Nashville ever since it came on, so I bought the pilot tonight off Amazon.I'm now buying the first season because OMG! I have always, always, always had a huge crush on Connie Britton, ever since I saw her in "The Brothers McMullen". I loved her few spots in West Wing, and she was one of many marvelous stars n "Friday Night Lights", where she turned in a tinning performance. I can't really take horror, so I've not seen her work in "American Horror Story". But I knew she must be doing good work in Nashville after I heard an interview with her about it on NPR, where she sounded awesome.After just the pilot, I know I was right. I've always thought that she's remarkably beautiful, and she shows that in yet another way here, but what's more important is her amazing talent for acting. Her performances have a genuineness, a solidity to them that's quite remarkable--the spectrum of her character's emotions ring true, and she gives the people she plays reality and depth.The rest of the cast looks promising as well. Hayden Panettiere, while a good actress, has always struck me as a little too plastic and superficial, but that's a perfect fit for her character in Nashville, and the one scene where she ha to display real emotion and character she carries it off in spades. Some of the rest of the cast is unfamiliar to me, but astonishingly even the creaky Powers Boothe, who has never struck me as being much more talented than the average chunk of white oak, is showing a little sly dash and bluster as an overbearing, overachieving plutocrat.The music is also a draw. I managed, years ago, to fight my way clear of my mother's firm belief that all country music was (a) cheap, tawdry rubbish and (b) the same. The crossover between folk (which I love) and country has something to do with that, as does the sheer, iconic talent of some of the great singers like Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Suffice to say, I can enjoy a good country song, even if its not my go-to music. And I get the impression that the producers of Nashville have worked hard to see that the musical interludes here are top quality. Maybe not actual showcases, like the blues and R&B and jazz highlights of "Treme", but good stuff nonetheless.