8MMM isn't the best show on television this week. But it's certainly the most interesting. It's been absolutely fascinating to watch the evolution of Indigenous small-screen fiction over the last few years. The fact that it's happening is a cause of celebration in itself. The (relative) quantity of fresh drama and comedy is enormously heartening. Then there's the diversity. From the classic British kitchen-sink spiced with mordant humour of Redfern Now to the astringent and often divisive humour of Black Comedy, the multiplicity of voices has been a tonic in itself and a reminder of the diversity within Australia's Indigenous population. Which brings us to this scripted comedy. Set – and shot – in Alice Springs, it's another Aboriginal world again from Redfern, Black Comedy, or the countless "outback" stories we're so familiar with. These remote outpost centres have their own distinct sensibility, and writer/creator Trisha Morton-Thomas (who is also a highlight of the ensemble cast) has captured that unique universe beautifully. As the title suggests, 8 Triple M is an Indigenous community radio station. Except it's run by whitefellas, and the title also refers to the three categories of Anglos who generally wash up in these kinds of places: missionaries, mercenaries or misfits. And while Morton-Thomas has said she's not trying to educate anybody, the realities of politics on the ground in Indigenous communities is absolutely front and centre here, from the way government funding is actually spent to the well-meaning but ill-fated interactions between black, white and brindle. It's a series jam-packed with ideas and issues as well as characters – along with a palpable thread of melancholy – and that's perhaps where it becomes a little unstitched. The humour is decidedly broad and it often jostles uneasily with 8MMM's intellectual content. But if this doesn't work perfectly as a comedy, it's still an intriguing piece of television.

CALIFORNICATION
​★★★½
Sunday, April 26, 10pm, Eleven

Seven seasons in, and Californication has still got it. From its uniquely bleached, grimy view of LA to its wince-making unabashed filth, there is nothing quite like it on TV. It also distinguishes itself by being a comedy – often a very silly one – that is also absolutely a character drama and it's remarkable that such unlikeable characters (on paper) should continue to be so very likeable. Also of note this season: a smashing cameo from Michael Imperioli; and, tonight, Tom Kapinos' delirious version of the writers' room.

IS YOUR BRAIN MALE OR FEMALE?
★★★½
Monday, April 27, 8.30pm, SBS One

Kicking off a "Michael Mosley season" on SBS, this hour tackles a contentious issue with Mosley's usual verve – and interest in hard evidence. Joined for the journey by Dr Alice Roberts, the pair set out to investigate whether there really is a difference between male and female brains. There are some intriguing questions raised (for instance, does autism really represent the extreme "male" brain?) and some equally fascinating experiments conducted, and if we don't get any firm answers that's probably more the fault of the question than the questioners.

WALLANDER
​★★★½
Tuesday, April 28, 10.30pm, SBS One

We're used to the Scandis doing drama bleaker and more depressing than just about anyone else on earth. So it's interesting to look at this Swedish version of Henning Mankell's beloved novels and discover it's actually rather fresher and warmer than the British version (starring Kenneth Branagh). Krister Henriksson as Wallander is certainly suitably seamed and cynical but there's something fresh and open about his face that brings an unexpected lightness to the role; while the Swedish summer looks absolutely glorious.

REV
★★★★
Sunday, April 26, 8.30pm, BBC First

This wonderful – and wonderfully humane – comedy returned for its third season last week. The Brits have a long history of quirky vicars – and some creepy vicars – but there has never been so gloriously three-dimensional a vicar as our Rev, Adam Smallbone. A century or so ago, Hackney's St Saviours In The Marsh was central to its London working class community. Now it's a crumbling relic in a largely Muslim neighbourhood. The council is sending endless officious OH&S notices. The church bureaucracy is trying to manage St Saviours out of existence. There's a new baby in the vicarage, which consequently is a morass of half-eaten food and dirty laundry. No cosy morning teas in this parish. And in among it all Reverend Adam and his wife are sincerely trying to minister to their flock of the elderly and the drug-addled while experiencing every kind of ordinary exasperation, disgust and despair. It sure ain't The Vicar of Dibley. Tom Hollander and Olivia Coleman are both superb in the central roles; there are fab cameos from a who's who of British comedy; and the writing – largely from James Wood and Hollander, who also created the series – combine to make every episode funny, surprising, poignant, utterly relatable, and completely heartfelt. In short, this is one of the best and most satisfying TV comedies in years.

MARVEL'S DAREDEVIL
★★★
netflix.com.au

What you want from your superhero adventures will determine how you react to this latest addition to Marvel's TV franchise. Charlie Cox is undeniably charismatic as blind lawyer by day, avenger by night; this is gorgeously shot and styled; and the kind of metaphysical wrestling that great comics do so well is very much to the fore. But this is not what you'd call escapist fare. It's extremely – even excessively – bloody. And for me, a "superhero" who ends up in a dumpster, beaten to a pulp, is kind of hard to cheer for.

THE AMERICANS
★★★½
Wednesday April 29, 8.30pm, SoHo

Even as my rational brain keeps nagging at me about those wigs and how the hell they go on and off so quickly – yet stay on through the most extreme exertions (along with other improbabilities) – there's something about the writing, the plotting and the characterisation of The Americans that keeps me completely engrossed. Certainly the gritty production values and unglamorous styling help keep this grounded, as does its absolute determination to follow a narrative line through to its logical conclusion – no matter how disturbing that might be.

AUSTRALIA'S NEXT TOP MODEL
Series return ★
Thursday April 30, 7.30pm, Fox8

In fairness, I am not this show's target audience. And there's no question that its target audience thinks Australia's Next Top Model is, like, totes brill. With a pre-credits spruik from Tyra herself and some genuine talent lining up to coach, mentor and otherwise professionally participate it's also one of ANTM's more successful franchises. That said, I loathe this show: on ethical grounds (particularly the inclusion of several 16-year-old contestants); and because an hour spent listening to young women berate themselves for not being sufficiently pretty/thin/tall/able to walk in high heels is not my idea of entertainment.