Never mind all this rubbish about Scientology propaganda. The finest comedy around is back to make your sides split all over the shop. It’s My Name is Earl and it’s going to be brilliant. In fact, My Name is Earl’s brilliance is one of the few certainties in the world of television, and thank God it’s back because I was beginning to lose the faith.

For those who haven’t seen this wonderful show, you’ve really been missing out. Jason Lee stars as the roguish but lovable Earl Hickey, a man set to right his wrongs thanks to the intervention of karma and a winning lottery ticket. The show is hilarious, intelligent, slapstick, touching, witty and more… and that’s exactly what to expect on Thursday (Channel 4, 10pm).

Quite why the show has been shunted off to a Thursday slot is beyond me. This is a programme that should be barging into the Ugly Betty/Friday night in between Big Brother slot. It’s brilliant. Only moronic idiots don’t like it. So what can we expect in the first of the new season?

The opening episode focuses on Earl’s pink necked and white trash ex-wife Joy. Joy has a bit of trouble returning an unwanted TV… and with typical scumbag aplomb, decides to steal a van full of booty from outside the store… only to find herself an unwitting kidnapper. Watch out for a scene involving a nervy Russian called Tatiana and an earlobe and Earl attempting a Brit accent (which compels Joy to inform him that “You sound like a gay Kermit the frog.” Miss this and hang your head in shame. This is what your TV was invented for. [Mof Gimmers]