Posted from an HBO press release.

HBO has renewed the animated comedy series The Ricky Gervais Show for a second season, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, Programming Group and West Coast Operations, HBO.  Production on the new episodes will begin later this year, with debut slated for 2011.

Based on the record-breaking podcast, the series launched Feb. 19 on HBO, and currently debuts new episodes on Friday night (9:00-9:30 p.m. ET/PT).  The show is voiced by Gervais, his longtime collaborator Stephen Merchant and colleague and friend Karl Pilkington, whose offbeat musings inspire many of the storylines.

Topics discussed in season one include:  a Serbian man who invented a sex machine for women, a dialogue about America’s first nudist organization, a serum that ages dead people backwards, the rarity of seeing a homeless Chinese person, customs of undocumented tribes in New Guinea, the true meaning of such sayings as “people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones” and the meaning of “a stitch in time saves nine,” as well as the popular recurring “Monkey News” segment.

“Ricky’s hilarious show has sparked a loyal and enthusiastic following that is  growing steadily, and we’re happy to bring the show back for another season,” noted Lombardo.  “It will be fun to see what new insights Karl has next time.”

Says Gervais, “I am absolutely thrilled to get a second season and continue the partnership with the best channel in the world.  I couldn’t wait to tell Karl.”

Responds Pilkington, “Makes no difference to me.  I haven’t seen any money from the first season yet!”

The 13-episode first season of The Ricky Gervais Show, which concludes May 21, has inspired critical praise, as well as devoted viewers.  The New York Times said the series is “proof that big laughs can come in small doses,” while the New York Post described the show as “crazy fun,” and the Houston Chronicle observed that the show’s “pointless conversations will keep you in stitches.”

The Ricky Gervais Show is produced for HBO Entertainment by Media Rights Capital in association with Wildbrain Entertainment; executive producers, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant, Karl Pilkington, Glyn Hughes and Bob Higgins; co-executive producer, Lisa Ullmann; supervising producer, Margaret M. Dean; consulting producer, Loren Bouchard; producer, Michelle Papandrew.