Nashville (ABC) - Series Premiere: Synopsis and Review
‘Nashville’ is a new drama series on ABC about Rayna James (Connie Britton, ‘Friday Night Lights’), a country music superstar who’s latest album isn’t selling well, and about Juliette Barnes (Hayden Panettiere, ‘Heroes’) a rising teen star. Juliette wants to take the place of Rayna as a superstar, Rayna however is determined not to let this happen.
Since Rayna’s tour isn’t selling as good as they hoped, her label company wants her to co-headline with Juliette Barnes. Rayna knows this basically means that she will be the opening act for Juliette Barnes and definitely not that she’s the star of the show. Rayna has a few days to think about the offer, but if she doesn't accept, her label won’t support her tour anymore.
Meanwhile Juliette is recording a few songs in a studio, and when the music and auto tune are turned off, it becomes clear she’s not such a good singer. It later turns out these songs were originally written for Rayna. Juliette however sleeps around and this way, she manages to lure people close to Rayna away from her. This is all part of her plan of taking Rayna’s place.
As Rayna has had a couple of days to think about the offer she has a meeting with the company. After a brief conversation, Rayna turns the offer down. Later that night Watty White (J. D. Souther, ‘Deadline’), Rayna’s producer, calls Rayna and lets her listen to two people playing guitar and singing on an open mic night at a bar. The two people are Scarlett O’Connor (Clare Bowen, ‘Home and Away’), the niece of Rayna’s songwriter, who also used to be her lover, and Gunnar Scott (Sam Palladio, ‘Episodes’) an aspiring musician. White tells Rayna he has a plan and hangs up the phone.
To be very honest, when I read the premise of ‘Nashville’ this summer, I dreaded the day it would air. Not only do I want to tell you all about the good shows on the air, I also feel obligated to warn you about the bad ones. This meant I not only had to watch the show, but I also had to say something meaningful about it.
Today was that day, I noticed this show (like many others) was available online well before the premiere date. I decided to make watching the show a little bit more tolerable by making myself some hot chocolate. Honestly though, after a few minutes, I didn’t need my hot chocolate anymore. I actually liked the show!
I’m not saying this is the best show I’ve ever seen, but it did manage to entertain me. The clash between the two girls is of course fun to watch, but everyone also seems to have interesting side stories. For example Juliette’s mother is a drug addict who keeps calling her because she wants money. Rayna also has an interesting story with her family, her mother died when Rayna was 12 and for some reason, she hates her dad. The situation may be cliche but I still want to know more about that!
Something, or rather someone, I’m not sure a big fan of is Hayden Panettiere. Hayden is good at acting as long as she doesn't have to be to emotional. Crying or being very angry just isn’t something she’s really good at. Luckily she’s not the only one in this show, so it’s not that big of a deal.
'Nashville' airs on Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.

What do you think of Nashville?
- ABC - Ratings, Cancellations and Renewals 2012-13
How are 'Nashville' and other ABC shows doing in the ratings? Will your favorite show get another season or will it get axed soon? - Upcoming Drama TV Series: Fall 2012
This Hub includes synopses, previews and reviews of the new Upcoming Drama TV Series that premiere in Fall 2012. ABC's 'Last Resort', FOX's 'The Mob Doctor' and CBS's 'Elementary' are among the listed shows.