It appears that no one I know is currently watching The Palace on ITV, and in all likelihood the show is going to be canned at the end of this series. Possibly I'm just suffering from some kind of momentary delusion, but I really cannot work out why this isn't a hugely popular show, pulling in audiences keen for something to keep them going in between episodes of Ashes To Ashes. It's funny, it's glossy, it's well plotted, and it's just a little bit silly. Everything you could want or need for a bit of evening TV after a hard day at the office.

The Palace is part Dallas and Dynasty, part the West Wing (though that appears to be mainly in its own mind) and part Upstairs Downstairs, and it's a whole lot of fun. Set in a world where the King of England has just died and been succeeded by his young son, King Richard (played by the pleasingly handsome Rupert Evans), the story mainly focuses on the King, his aides, and his troublesome siblings.

There are also annoying interruptions from his servants, who seem to have stepped out of a completely different show, and spend most of their screen time screeching, squawking, bickering and generally behaving badly. But, annoying staff aside, the rest of the cast are excellent, creating a world in which we get to believe the King is a decent chap trying to use his power for good (much like the West Wing, where we get to buy into the premise that the President is a hugely well-educated and erudite fellow, packed full of literary quotes and good intentions).

And his siblings are truly a pleasure to witness as they go about trying to make his life as difficult as possible. They all fit into a neat posho stereotype each - there's the rich bitch older sister, plotting and scheming in her desire to be Queen; the bumbling plum of a younger brother (who might as well just be called Prince Harry), who means well but ultimately behaves like an insufferable twit most of the time; and the "It" girl younger sister, with the husky voice, the faint whiff off booze and fags about her at all times (plus a smattering of liberal conscience).

For the most part, the entire thing is entirely unbelievable, and yet plots about staff members getting exclusive book deals, the embarrassing drunken antics of the younger royals, and the tussling between king and Prime Minister, do have a strangely believable ring to them. In many ways, this show reminds me of Entourage: it's shallow eye-candy that offers a bit of humour and entertainment safe in the knowledge that it will all turn out OK in the end.

And while it may not leave me biting my nails in suspense, or offer me any deep insights into the human condition, I can't help smiling whenever I know there's an episode waiting for me on my Sky+ box at home.

The Palace, Mondays 9pm, ITV (or watch them all online here)