You probably already know Ricky Gervais from “The Office” and “Extras” which were both brilliant. Gervais has teamed up with Stephan Merchant (also of “The Office”) and Karl Pilkington (who also contributed to “The Office.”) The show started out as a podcasts which began early on at xfm, a London based “alternative” radio station. It was there that they broke Guiness World Records of most downloaded podcasts.

Through its evolution the podcasts became an animated series, with the three persons who already look like caricatures becoming as such. They look almost Flintstone-like, especially Gervais’ “character.” Essentially the show is the three of them conversing about varying topics. There is some sense of format, and it has become Gervais and Merchant almost picking on and riffing the ideas of Pilkington, who admittedly has some VERY strange and funny ideas about things. Occasionally it may seem like the two are being cruel to him, but the British do not have the sensitivities that we do, and the mockery is also done with admiration.

HBO picked up The Ricky Gervais Show for a second season, and I would HIGHLY recommend it. In between the gags and conversations are possible scenarios animated that also add to the humor. Season 1 available to rent now! Watch it!

A remake of the hit BBC  series The Office, this is a mockumentary that documents the exploits of a paper supply company in Scranton, Pennsylvania. Made up of head chief Michael Scott, a harmlessly deluded and ignorantly insensitive boss who cares about the welfare of his employees while trying to put his own spin on company policy.

OK, so it’s an imitation of a British show. But it’s a good imitation. The Pam/Jim saga is heart breaking and wonderful, the Dwight/Jim hostility is satisfying in a funny way. The supporting characters are wonderfully real and flawed. Michael Scott (Steve Carell) is worth mentioning because his obvious comic brilliance is combined with the pain of watching his character in action. It’s almost too painful to bear.

When I talk TV with my friends most admit they don’t have cable and prefer to watch shows when they want either online, by renting or borrowing copies from friends.

A “black market” in sharing TV series box sets has developed and high in the market’s borrowing rotation are  The Office, 30 Rock, True Blood, Dexter, The Wire, and the doc series Planet Earth. Maybe the internet didn’t kill television  -  but it certainly seems like the old tube needs a DVD player attached to keep it alive!