Channel 4 has ordered a second series of Russell Brand's Ponderland. Much like the first series, the show will feature meandering stand-up routines from the comic; with phone calls, video clips and archive footage adding to, and supporting, the stand-up material. Topics covered by the comedian in the first series of Ponderland included sex, school days and addiction; and it is believed the new series will focus on, amongst many things, the topics of education, pets and family.

In total five new thirty minute episodes have been ordered and, like last time, it is expected they will be striped across a week when they come to air. Although the first series of Ponderland only managed to attract a small audiences last October, Channel 4 Comedy Commissioner Caroline Leddy is very keen to retain the show because the channel wishes to remain closely affiliated with Brand, who is quickly becoming an international star.

Last week the tabloid favourite made a well-received appearance on David Letterman's late-night show in America to promote the movie Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Amongst many projects, the comic is also said to be recording an eight episode chat show series for 'a top American TV channel'.

Meanwhile ITV have had to announce they are scrapping plans for a full series of sitcom pilot The Abbey, because Brand and other cast members no longer have time to film the comedy.

Series two of Ponderland will appear on Channel 4 later in the year. Brand is currently writing the series with long time collaborator Matt Morgan, with whom he also presents his award-winning BBC Radio 2 show on Saturday nights.

In other Channel 4 news, the broadcaster is currently in a bidding war for the services of Alan Carr. The comedian's exclusive contract finishes at the end of the year, and it is understood negotiations are now underway between C4 and his agent to extend this deal for another couple of years. However, reports say Peter Fincham is hoping to tempt Carr to jump ship to ITV, and that the BBC Entertainment department have also approached the comedian with potential projects.

What is certain is that Carr will be returning with long-term co-host Justin Lee Collins this summer to present another series of their variety show, which has now been re-named The Sunday Night Project. The broadcaster is shifting the show out of the comedy-filled Friday night schedule to a quieter weekend slot in a hope that it can pick up a larger share of the audience there.

UPDATE: The following day (Thursday 29th May) Channel 4 announced it has recommissioned comedy gameshow Alan Carr's Celebrity Ding Dong and also bought the TV rights to Carr's live show Tooth Fairy. Although which broadcaster Carr will be with in 2009 still hasn't been decided, C4 certainly seems to be doing everything they can to convince him it worth his while staying with them.