By Koh Hui Theng

THE civil service may have its perks, such as two-hour lunches and regular bonuses.

But fret not, private-sector worker bees: you have far more interesting benefits to choose from.

This week's Telly Buddy maps out some on-the-job draws in three very different positions.

CHIEF EXECUTIVE

[BETTER OFF TED]
AXN Beyond (StarHub Ch 100)
Thursdays, 11pm
Score: 4.5/5

Better Off Ted shows that the workplace is a lot of fun - provided one gets to call the shots.

Just ask Veronica (Ally McBeal and Arrested Development's Portia de Rossi), head honcho of research conglomerate Veridian Dynamics.

Not only does she dream up wacky products like the Focus Master, a super-itchy chair that boosts productivity, but she also gets to inflict the contraption on her underlings.

Never mind if the office drone goes mad from the itch.

The company motto, "Money before people", engraved right on the lobby floor, says it all.

Another upside is the ability to hire and fire at will.

After freezing and un-freezing lab assistant Phil (a superbly morose Jonathan Slavin) "just to see if we can", an irate Veronica insists on cutting him from the payroll as the scientist now has a tendency to screech mid-speech.

But if the sight of Veronica wielding supreme authority over people's careers does not float your boat, then surely her boardroom trysts will.

Watching her lure head of research and development Ted (Jay Harrington from Private Practice) into using his allotment of one office affair is a hoot.

A workplace parody along the lines of The Office, Scrubs and 30 Rock, Better Off Ted's hysterically twisted take on corporate culture should keep cubicle rats everywhere in stitches.

PRIVATE-EDUCATION CONSULTANT

[PRIVILEGED]
Ch 5
Saturdays, 10pm
Score: 4/5

Life as a live-in tutor to Palm Beach, Florida's upper crust is one heck of a cushy ride in Privileged.

For Ivy League-educated aspiring journalist Megan Smith (JoAnna Garcia), the upside to moving in "fancy-people circles" - with its gilded perks of fast cars, seaside villas, free room and board, and a US$1,500 (S$2,100) pay cheque - more than makes up for the temporary career detour.

But playing tutor to two rich-bitch teens, Rose (Lucy Hale) and Sage (Ashley Newbrough) comes with pitfalls.

The chief hurdle? Getting her less-than-eager charges into posh Duke University.

Based on Zoey Dean's book, How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls, Privileged is surprisingly likeable because it makes no apologies for being a Gossip Girls-driven chick flick.

After all, who needs a second invitation to gawk at opulence?

TRAVEL-SHOW HOST

[THE REAL...]
BBC World News (StarHub Ch 13)
Saturdays, 5.30pm
Score: 3/5

Ordinary folk looking for a sideline job should apply to the good ol' BBC.

The Real... documentary series by BBC World News profiles hidden gems in cities like Beirut and Washington D.C.

In the Hong Kong segment, actor Sammy Leung, orchestra conductor Yip Wing Sie and model Sarika Choy introduce their favourite culinary, fashion and lifestyle haunts.

Closet bargain-hunters will be kept happy as the locals clue them in on quirky sights off the beaten tourist track.

So there you have it: The perks that come with being a top dog or a lowly minion vary, but they're far more fascinating than what a civil serf can expect.

kohht@sph.com.sg

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