I simply couldn't use that one photo that the BBC have released for Never Better *again*, so here's a nice one of the star, Stephen Mangan, with what I'm sure you'll agree is rather lovely wallpaper.

This comedy, handily fitting into the Thursdays Are Funny strand on BBC Two, (which is debatable when Little Miss Jocelyn is involved, but at least Never Mind The Buzzcocks generally lives up to the billing), is inevitably going to be compared with Lead Balloon, as it is another comedy of embarrassment. But the fact is that comparison actually does Never Better a favour because, in quite a few ways, it is better.

Last week, Mof gave the first episode of the series of 'so-so' review, as I would have done as well, and we both saw potential for it to grow and develop. As this episode was more enjoyable than the first, I think we were right to give it time, and I really hope that it continues to improve. At it's heart, it has a great performance from Mangan in a role, as Keith, which is more unlucky than a Rick Spleen-type self-obsessed habitual liar. Keith isn't perfect by any means, but he doesn't necessarily bring all his bad luck on himself. In last night's episode he lied precisely when I would have lied, and decided to come clean when I would have done, too. As Mangan said in our interview, Keith really does try to do the right thing, and while I was surprised by his reference to Frank Spencer, I now see what he means.

Last night, Keith finally found someone in his AA group who feels like he does - he genuinely empathises with her when she talks about missing being the life and soul of the party. You knew instantly, of course, that this relationship would end badly, and, seeing as though he accidentally sent her an obscene message, it eventually did. Just like the first episode, this was intricately plotted and scripted - I particularly liked Keith's line "If I was, that wouldn't be how I told you" on the phone when his Dad, trying to explain the message he also received, presumably asked him if he was trying to tell him he's gay. Like so many great lines, it was gone in a flash.

This show works because you care about Keith - in fact, I was starting to get annoyed at the writer for not rewarding his good intentions, (sad, I know) but hopefully there'll be a pay-off at the end of the series. It's not a classic yet, maybe it'll never become one, but I really enjoy it, and from now on I'll actively look forward to it.