Aaah. I feels good to have My Name Is Earl (Channel 4, Thursday, March 27, 10pm) back on the box. It really does. There’s been a big comedy shaped hole in Channel 4′s listings and now, Earl is back with the usual mix of gut-busting fun and a whole lotta heart and soul. So, first in the series? Big gags and sharp script? Well, the return of Earl was a strange one last night. The last in the last series saw our karmic-warrior getting sent to jail, falling on the sword for mental bug-eyed ex-wife, Joy. So, instead of seeing Earl with his brother and foil, Randy, we saw him all tribulated in the clink. Thankfully, it did provide one fast ‘n’ smart joke when the show was introduced as My Name Is 28301-016. It’s a simple, but effective, joke.

Sadly, this wasn’t the return I’d hoped for. Without his regular side-kicks, Earl lacked its usual charm. That’s not to say the episode was a complete wash-out. In fact, far from it. It still rolled with the punches and made me titter uncontrollably… but Earl without Randy is a bit like Itchy without Scratchy. Sadly, no-one in prison is quite as dim as Hickey minor.

In prison, Earl is faced with a new set of problems. Instead of trying to right his wrongs, we see Earl trying to become invisible in an attempt to… well… avoid constant kickings as he’s the new boy. Again, this detracts from the show slightly because, one of the main sources of joy and mirth is seeing Earl out on a limb and making a complete tit of himself in the quest for karmic balance. In prison, he’s simply tip-toeing around and the list is outta the window.

That aside, we see Earl doing things that only a Hickey could get away with. For starters, he knocks an old man out cold in the name of a pistachio nut. I’d explain it but you had to be there. Thinking back, it’s hard to think of the jokes… but there must have been some as I remember laughing… but I just can’t bring them to mind now. As much as I adore this show, last night was definitely a slow starter. As it’s been one of my favourite shows of the past couple of years, I’m definitely sticking with it as the rewards are always great and many. I just hope the passing trade doesn’t give up on this wonderful comedy.