Sit for ‘Dog,’ stay for its narrator canine

Ned, ‘Fargo’s Allison Tolman make an amiable summer pair

Good Dog. That positive verdict might not be what you’d expect for ABC’s Downward Dog (Wednesday, 9:30 ET/PT, then Tuesdays, 8 ET/PT, out of four), given the circumstances. For one thing, ABC is debuting this new comedy on the next-to-last Wednesday of the season. Even more troubling, the show is based on a Web series about a talking dog.

But Dog actually turns out to be a delightfully amiable summer companion: smart, funny, charming, with terrific performances from the always wonderful Allison Tolman ( Fargo) as Nan and the completely irresistible Ned as her dog, Martin.

Oh, and here’s one more great, smart thing about Dog: Martin doesn’t actually talk, at least not to anyone on the show. Instead, Martin (voiced by Samm Hodges) speaks only to us, in deadpan direct address, telling us what’s on his mind.

Even better, Martin’s thoughts, while philosophical, are seldom more than foodbowl deep. He’s a dog, wondering what Nan does all day, complaining when she doesn’t remove a dead fly from his water dish and professing his fear and hatred of the neighbor’s cat. (“Not to be racist, but she’s, like, a sociopath.”)

As with any show built around a high-concept gimmick, there’s a danger here that the trick will wear thin. But for now, be content with how much this Dog has going for it.