Here's another batch of comedy news snippets collected over the last week...

NBC has given the American version of The IT Crowd the go ahead. The network has only ordered six half-hour episodes of the computer-based workplace comedy though (orders of 20+ episodes are more common stateside). The IT Crowd, which is returning for a second season here in the UK soon, appears to be NBC's only new comedy commission for the 2007/2008 season leading many commentators to suggest the network is being overly cautious. NBC has instead opted for extended runs of its established comedies The Office: An American Workplace (28 new episodes), My Name Is Earl (30 new episodes) and a final seventh series of hospital sitcom Scrubs.

Mock the Week regular Andy Parsons (he's the bald one) has been given the go-ahead by Radio 4 to make a six-part sitcom called The Lost Blog Of Scrooby Trevithic.

BBC1 sketch show Ruddy Hell! It's Harry and Paul managed to re-gain 600,000 viewers on Friday. The comedy was watched by 4.3 million viewers (a 19% share between) 9.30pm and 10pm according to unofficial overnights. The series debuted with 4.8 million a few weeks ago. Have I Got News for You drew an impressive 6.3 million viewers (a 27% share) half an hour before.

Spoof rock group Spinal Tap want Ricky Gervais to join them on stage during their comeback performance at Wembely on 7th July this summer. Rob Reiner, who directed the 1984 mockumentary film, told XFM "I'm hoping that Ricky Gervais is gonna be there. We're trying to convince him right now."

The trailer for animated movie Shrek The Third has been released. The movie, which hits cinemas on June 29th, features the voices of a number of British actors including Julie Andrews (playing Queen Lillian), John Cleese (King Harold), Rupert Everett (Prince Charming), Eric Idle (Merlin) and Ian McShane (Captain Hook). In the new movie King Harold falls ill and it is up to Shrek to find a suitable heir. Recruiting Donkey and Puss In Boots for a new quest, Shrek sets out to bring back the rightful heir to the throne – Fiona's rebellious cousin Artie. Trailer: Windows Media Player, Real Player, Quicktime

British stand-up comedians Gina Yashere and Matt Kirshen have made it through to the final ten acts on NBC's American reality show Last Comic Standing. The show premieres in America on the 13th June. British viewers will be able to see it on the Paramount Comedy Channel.