In this trying part of the year – the non-ratings kind, of course – there are few saviours.

Eleven, Go and Gem are the only networks offering some fresh stimulation on free-to-air and Foxtel is sticking it to their rivals big-time! Launching new networks like F/X (home of zombie smash The Walking Dead) and A&E (home of many of 7mate’s reality series), plus a Fox Footy network (if you like that sort of thing…), they haven’t forgotten their staple network – Fox8 – which is gaining multiple new hit series!

Hart of Dixie follows Rachel Bilson (best known as The OC’s Summer & Hayden Christensen’s girlfriend) as Zoe Hart, a successful surgeon who needs to work on her people skills in order to get a fellowship she’s chasing. Fast Forward to her trying to set up shop in Bluebell, a very Everwood-like community. It’s a traditional Southern town where the accents are thick – just like many of her patients. Look for two hunky potential romantic interests, complete with their own chaos and drama and hostility from the other doctor in town and his jealous daughter.

Also:
Last Man Standing (Sun 6:30 from Jan 29) sees Tim Taylor trade three sons for three daughters; tools for outdoor sporting goods and a TV series for an internet blog. The laughs remain though!

American Idol (Thurs/Fri 6:30 from late-Jan) has churned out a few goodies (Adam Lambert, James Durbin – YouTube! – Carrie Underwood) and they’re back (and – look – Randy had a brain after all)!