Five more, over-exposed irritations, currently showing on the boob-tube:

6. "Must See TV" - besides the sheer slimyness of this rhyme, the fact that they include Will & Grace under this banner must surely invalidate the claim that this is unmissable television? Will and Grace was marginally funny for a short while, but now the same jokes (week after week after week) are all worn through. The show's entire humourous premise is that the two guys are gay, and Karen has a whiny voice (mind you so does Grace). Well, isn't that just hysterical. Wake me when it's over.

7. "Ripped From the Headlines" - Every bloody week, we're repeatedly told that Law & Order's storyline is "ripped from the headlines". As a BBC News reader, I'm expecting the next episode to feature a plot, were the US President and his cronies, invent a need to go to war, to distract everyone from the dire state of the economy, and to give a boost to their buddies in the arms and oil industries.

8. The ER Trailer Voiceovers - it seems like every week, we're being told that, "This is the episode that changes everything", or, "Nothing will be the same". What's that about? I mean, they work in an Emergency Room. Just how easily shocked can anyone in their profession be?

Abby: What the hell is that? Dr Carter: Oh my God! I think it's a nosebleed! This changes everything!

9. Pick-up Truck Commercials - Contrary to what the advertisers will have us believe, America is not a nation of muscular, but educated lumberjacks, who's everyday commuting involves carrying large logs over rocky and mountainous terrain. 80% of people who buy pick-ups are white-collar junior executives, who's best shot at feeling manly, is to drive one of these trucks, in the hope that people will think they do something rugged and worthwhile with their lives.

10. The Kar Guy - advertising public car auctions. I thought I was going mad for a while, then I realised that it wasn't just in my imagination, they really were running two adverts in every commercial break, for this fake talk-radio character. I'm skeptical about buying a car at an auction anyway, without spokesman being some guy who looks like a pro darts player.

Bonus Item

11. The Apprentice I'd be remiss if I didn't mention this. The trailers for this "Reality TV for Republicans" show have been aired to death for the past month or two. On the upside, it's not quite a vile and scary-looking as Fear Factor, well, unless you count Donald's comb-over.