Finally - Stephen Merchant is getting something all his own without Gervais Teeth cackling manically throughout the proceedings.
HBO have taken on his eight-part sitcom series Hello Ladies. Chortle.co.uk reports: "It expands on the ideas Merchant explored in his stand-up tour of the same title, and portrays him as an awkward Englishman with misplaced confidence trying to find a glamorous girlfriend in among the beautiful people of Los Angeles. The series will air in the autumn of 2013 in the States, and is almost certain to be picked up by a UK broadcaster, too. Merchant is already known to HBO views from Extras, Life's Too Short and the animated Ricky Gervais Show, all of which aired on the premium cable channel."
Deadline.com adds: "HBO will produce in association with ABC, who holds an overall deal with Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky, the writing and producing duo best known for their work on the American Office. They co-wrote the pilot episode for Hello Ladies with Merchant and will serve as executive producers for the series."
