What to watch this week

Second seasons for two HBO shows, more "Monk," the "Naked Trucker and T-Bones" (seen here in concert) and the best new show you're not watching — no, just kidding, "Idol's" back.

  SUNDAY

  “Rome” (see Robert W. Butler's story) and the Ricky Gervais comedy “Extras” return for their second seasons, “Rome” at 8 and “Extras” at 9 p.m., CT on HBO. If “Extras” is half as funny as the podcasts Gervais and co-conspirator Stephen Merchant have been making, we're in for a treat. (If you can't wait, the new “Extras” is available at HBO On Demand.)

  TUESDAY

  As a public service, I'm letting you know that Fox will be quietly slipping “American Idol” back onto the schedule at 7 CT tonight, whereupon it will air continuously through May. All other Fox shows will be moved to the Internet, except for “Cops” and “House,” which will air only “Idol”-themed episodes.

  WEDNESDAY

  “The Naked Trucker and T-Bones Show,” a high-concept redneck musical comedy, makes its way to TV at 9:30 p.m. CT on Comedy Central. With postmodern references sprinkled into their hillbilly dialogue and guitar licks, “Naked Trucker” is an amusing idea with a short lifespan. It stars improv comics Dave Allen as the trucker (whose guitar doubles as a fig leaf) and Dave Koechner as his muttonchopped rider (Koechner, a Missourian, can also seen on “The Office” as the insufferable Todd).

  FRIDAY

  “Monk” returns at 8 p.m. CT on USA for another measly handful of episodes before crawling back into its antiseptic vault for another inexplicable hiatus.

  SATURDAY

  Of all the super-smart cartoon parodies that have crossed my desk, it's been a while since I've seen one as clever and infectiously funny as “The Secret Show” (7:30 p.m. CT, Nick). A weirdly expansive take on 60s spy thrillers, it's packed with sight gags and silly storylines (like the space aliens who steal all our gravity).