Extras

I probably spend too much of my time watching TV. But to paraphrase Homer Simpson, it gives so much and asks for so little in return.

Still, I have to recommend a show - Extras - by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, aka those guys who did The Office. Season two starts on the ABC this Wednesday at 8.30pm, and unless you live in the UK or have a pretty good broadband connection, you probably haven't seen it. The show follows Andy (Ricky) and his friend Maggie as they work as extras on movies, with Andy constantly trying to wrangle his way into a speaking part.

Series two starts with Andy finally writing and starring in his own TV show on the BBC, but only after having it dumbed down by the "suits" to the point where he's ashamed of what was meant to be his big triumph.

Series two is a lot darker than the first - it's still really funny, but it's squirm in your seat funny. In some ways the show is like the Larry Sanders Show, not only with the celebrity cameos, but in the way that both shows find humour in stripping away the polite conventions of modern society. Anyway, check it out . . .