Possible Clues:

• Friends, perhaps, arrive shortly after rest
• Half-hour TV show, often
• Series of funny bits?
• ''The Office,'' e.g.
• ''Friends'', e.g.
• Friends, for example, lie and tease, endlessly
• Programme cut by two thirds, then half — that's funny
• Emmy category
• Won't stand the show that's so firm and grand
• The BBC's "Pinwright's Progress" is reportedly the first TV one