Tonight, 10pm on BBC TWO: From the makers of the award-winning series, The Inbetweeners, and debut screenwriter, Jonathan Thake, comes new British comedy, The Persuasionists. The sitcom focuses on the lives of five overpaid and underworked employees at a fictional advertising agency.

LONDON, Wednesday 6th January 2010; From the makers of the award-winning series, The Inbetweeners, and debut screenwriter, Jonathan Thake, comes new British sitcom, The Persuasionists.

Renowned for ‘the slag of all snacks’ campaign for Pot Noodle, Jonathan Thake draws on his experience in the fast paced world of advertising for this six part series.

The sitcom focuses on the lives of five overpaid and underworked employees at fictional advertising agency HHH&H.

The series stars Adam Buxton, (6Music’s – Adam & Joe, Hot Fuzz, Randall & Hopkirk Deceased), Iain Lee (11 O’clock Show, Absolute Radio), Simon Farnaby (Bunny and the Bull, Jam & Jerusalem), Daisy Haggard (Psychoville, Ashes to Ashes) and brilliant stand-up comedian Jarred Christmas.

The uncontrollable urge-bag Keaton (Simon Farnaby) peruses the workplace for new conquests – everyone he hasn’t already had. Billy (Iain Lee), the intelligent underachiever, indulges in his role as the office menace. Spoilt neurotic Emma (Daisy Haggard) would like to break the glass ceiling, but only if it doesn’t damage her lovely hair. Boss Clive (Jarred Christmas), the most Australian man on the planet, exults in his position as the resplendently ridiculous manager. The hopeless, witless and feckless Greg (Adam Buxton) is the eager Account Director desperately aspiring to be as ambitious and amoral as his colleagues.

Over the course of the series viewers will witness the five advertising degenerates battle their way through a variety of scenarios from having to sell a brown smelly ‘cockney cheese’ for disillusioned, aggressive and frightening cockney client, Jim (Lee Ross – The Catherine Tate Show, Eastenders, Secrets & Lies and Press Gang). Issues of beauty are tackled in episode two, as Emma becomes the ‘Head of Handsomeness’ and creates the ‘corridor of beauty’, placing the uglier colleagues in the boiler room. Later in the series Keaton, the Head of Global, becomes impotent as he learns that women are “somehow human too”. Keaton and Billy engage on a war of being impractical and battle it out to prove they are not mature and sensible. Emma embraces the new ‘Diet Stuff’ drink a little too enthusiastically and begins protesting against obesity. Billy experiences the frustration of writer’s block and Keaton sets out to steal his colleagues’ happiness.

Script edited by Andrew Collins (Not Going Out), The Persuasionists follows the underworked and overpaid agency staff who spend all day trying to persuade you to buy things you don’t want with money you don’t have.

Cheryl Taylor, BBC Controller of Comedy Commissioning, said: “As a big fan of inventive comedy characters I’m thrilled to see the bizarre world and twisted logic of the The Persuasionists coming to BBC TWO.”

The series is produced by Bwark, the makers of The Inbetweeners, Angelo’s and Free Agents. The Executive Producers are Simon Wilson for the BBC and Iain Morris and Damon Beesley for Bwark. Directed by Tristram Shapeero (Reggie Perrin, Peep Show) and produced by Jon Rolph (Taking The Flak).

The Persuasionists, 10pm, Wednesday 13th January, BBC TWO

Press Contact: Taylor Herring PR – 0208 206 5151.

Night at the Museum 2 is released on 9th November and catches up with big-hearted dreamer Larry (Ben Stiller), now a high-flying millionaire thanks to his wacky inventions. During a visit to his old friends at the museum Larry discovers to his dismay that the exhibits are to be put into storage at the Smithsonian.

Shortly after the move he receives a panicked phone call from Jedidiah (Owen Wilson) who is fighting for his life in the Smithsonian archives against some of history’s most notorious villains. Larry makes an 11th hour dash to the museum to save his pals from infamous crooks; including Pharaoh Kahmunrah, Al Capone, Ivan the Terrible and Napolean, and prevent them from using the tablet of Ahkmenrah for their own criminal gains.

Filled with witty one-liners and edge-of-your-seat action, Night at the Museum 2 features all the original cast members including; Brit favourites Ricky Gervais and Steve Coogan and is this year’s must-have family movie.

For further information, interview requests and DVD review copies please contact Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151

Britain’s most acerbic and satirical comedian, Jimmy Carr, marks 10 successful years in comedy with the release of his fifth live stand-up DVD, Jimmy Carr Telling Jokes, available to own through 4DVD on Monday 2nd November.

Featuring 90 minutes of fresh material that’s just too rude for television, the new title will see Jimmy Carr at his best; creasing up the nation with relentless one liners and putting down brave hecklers with equal panache. Filmed earlier this year at the Bloomsbury Theatre during his latest tour, the DVD will also feature never-been-seen-before DVD extras including Jimmy’s Twitter Diary, a Comedy Central Special and bonus stand up material.

Still holding the crown for the hardest working man in comedy after performing to 300,000 people this year during his Joke Technician tour, Jimmy will celebrate his millionth tour ticket sold this autumn.

For more information or to request an interview please contact Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151.

Over indulge in the vibrant scene of high fashion with the most charismatic cast on television as the critically-acclaimed US sitcom Ugly Betty Season Three struts onto DVD from Monday 7th December.

It’s all change for Betty, but if she thought being an assistant was tough, wait until she becomes an editor…Packed full of exclusive extras including a ‘Going home to New York City’ featurette, ‘Betty Bloops’ and a hilarious deleted scene, this year’s must-have accessory Ugly Betty Season Three is the ultimate high octane fashion comedy and a must-have for all fans.

For further information – Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151.

The housewives of Wisteria Lane are still as desperate as ever as they return for a fifth season, but five years on and suspense still lurks in suburbia. Find out how the famous five-some fare as the Desperate Housewives: The Complete Fifth Season flashes forward half a decade and is released on DVD from Monday 9th November.

The Complete Fifth Season propels audiences five years into the future of white-picketed Wisteria and picks up from the dramatic climax of season four that left fans on tenterhooks. Why does Susan (Teri Hatcher) have a new man in her life? Why has Gabrielle (Eva Longoria Parker) let her looks go? And is trouble-making temptress Edie (Nicolette Sheridan) on a path towards self destruction? With the behaviour more outlandish than ever, secrets being spilt in sensational fashion and lashings of suburban suspense, your favourite housewives are back with a bang for their fifth season.

For further information: Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151

It’s the most unlikely office romance in history as Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds pair up in The Proposal, coming to Buena Vista Home Entertainment Blu-ray Hi Def and DVD on Monday 30th November.

The full length film is available in a two disc Blu-ray Combi Pack that includes the film in both Blu-ray and DVD format, as well as a single disc DVD edition. In this year’s hit rom-com from Director Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses), an assertive boss and her long suffering assistant find themselves in a match made in hell as they trade boardroom bickering for a less than loved up engagement – but will business become pleasure for the odd couple?

For further information please contact Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151

Available on DVD for the first time, Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire is a groundbreaking epic five part spoof starring the super-buff Sean Maguire and the fiendishly funny Matt Lucas. Krod Mandoon And The Flaming Sword Of Fire is available on DVD from 23rd November, courtesy of 4DVD.

To promote the DVD release the following actors are available for limited interviews:SEAN MAGUIRE (Meet the Spartans, Eastenders), JAMES MURRAY (Primeval, Cutting it), STEVE SPEIRS (Pirates of the Caribbean, Star Wars: The Phantom Menace , ALEX MACQUEEN (The Inbetweeners, The Thick of It) and INDIA DE BEAUFORT (Run, Fatboy, Run, One Tree Hill).

For more information or to request an interview please contact Taylor Herring PR 0208 206 5151.

The multi award-winning and a critically acclaimed comedy series is back and continues on from the previous series following the dynamic duo in their unpredictable world. Peep Show series 6 and the 1-6 boxset are both available to own on Monday 2nd November 2009 exclusively by 4DVD.

Peep Show features Mark (David Mitchell) and Jeremy (Robert Webb), two flat-mates living in south London. Mark is a credit manager and the more financially successful of the two, often pessimistic about life and anything to do with Jeremy’s next big ‘idea’. Jeremy rents Mark’s spare room and usually has a much more optimistic and energetic outlook on the world than Mark. His self-proclaimed talent as a musician is yet to be recognised, and he is seen as a lazy waster with dodgy friends and not as popular or attractive as he would like to think himself.

In series 6 Mark and Jeremy are still sharing a flat in post-credit crunch Croydon while there is a whiff of desperation surrounding them. Having discovered that Sophie (Olivia Colman) is pregnant they have to face up to the possibility that either one of them might be a father. How will this effect Mark’s pursuit of Dobby (Isy Suttie)? And will it help or hinder Jeremy as he falls for his dream woman, dope-dealing-musician-activist Elena (Vera Filatova)?

For more information, review or competition requests please contact Taylor Herring PR – 0208 206 5151

In the wake of the death of Michael Jackson the world thought they had lost a superstar…until Leigh Francis decided to bring him back one more time. Cha’mone Mo’Fo’Selecta! A Tribute To Michael Jackson is available to own on DVD on Monday 23rd November, courtesy of 4DVD.

Leigh Francis, creator of the phenomenally successful series Bo’Selecta! lays Michael Jackson to rest the only way he knows how in this longer than TV version tribute.

Cha’mone Mo’Fo’Selecta! A Tribute To Michael Jackson will showcase a host of brand new rubber faces including; Diana Ross, Uri Geller and Ken West (Kanye West), as well as Bo’Selecta! favourites Craig David, Mel B, Keith Lemon, Avid Merrion and the Bear.

The show takes a chronological look at Michael Jackson’s life featuring hilarious spoofs of Thriller, Bad, Beat It and Billy Jean with special guest appearances by Spice Girl Emma Bunton, Peaches Geldof, Paddy McGuiness and David Gest.

It’s the final curtain for the Bo’Selecta! Michael Jackson and a salute to the gloved one.

The DVD is available to buy on 23rd November courtesy of 4DVD.  Additional extras will be available on the DVD.

Release date: Monday 23rd November 2009
RRP: £19.99
Running time: 52 mins approx
Extras: 47 mins approx
Format: 1 disc
Cert: 15
Cat No: C4DVD10266

For further information, review discs and competition requests please contact: Taylor Herring PR on 0208 206 5151