Larry the Cable Guy, Joe Dirt and Earl J. Hickey. Three names synonymous with the culture (or lack thereof) that is “white trash.” With the success of NBC’s new show “My Name Is Earl,” one would have to ask oneself why he or she finds this offbeat comedy to be among TV’s elite.

The show is full of likable characters and is just 30 minutes (including commercials) of straight fun. The program is centered on Earl J. Hickey (Jason Lee of “Chasing Amy”) and his quest to right all the wrongs he’s done so that he can turn his life around, an idea which was divinely given to him by none other than St. Carson Daly.

Living in a motel bedroom with his brother Randy (Ethan Suplee, a “Mallrats” alumnus) and his brother’s girlfriend Catalina (Nadine Velazquez), Earl has made a list of all his wrongdoings. Using his El Camino and lottery winnings, he plans to right his wrongs one by one.

The rest of the supporting cast is made up of Earl’s ex-wife Joy (Jaime Pressley) and her new husband Darnell “Crab Man” Turner (Eddie Steeples). Earl is remarkably good friends with “Crab Man” — living up to his new life philosophy.

What makes this show so appealing is the mixture of elements, which include everything from problem solving to good-old white-trash-isms. As long as “Earl” keeps its cast together and doesn’t stray from the great formula it has going, it will expand on a great first season and be on par with comedy juggernauts such as “The Office” and “Scrubs.”

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