Close
Extras - Series 2
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Extras series two begins this Thursday. For those interested there are now preview clips on the BBC2 website.
Looking good!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I wish I could watch the clips on my dialup. : (
I am so excited about this series. From the ads it seems as if they want us to think that Andy and Maggie might get together. I don't know how I feel about that.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I really try and stay away from those preview clips. I'd much rather just wait and see it when actually broadbast.
As for Andy and Maggie, I'm not sure either. Might be interesting, but would all be a bit "convenient". It'd completely change the chemistry of the show. (Although I don't believe that there is any intention of a third series, is there?)
Niles-n-Daphne syndrome.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
No, apparently they're not doing a third. As long as they leave it until the very last minute of the last episode, then it's fine!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ginger Jesus said:
They'll probably leave it as a cliff hanger, that way they can tie it up with a christmas episode or 2. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
It's very rare that any British sitcom gets a third series, these days. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
My Family, Peep Show, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
I watched Scrubs instead (but i usually do), couldn't stand Extras.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I actually thought it was pretty good tonight. Better than series one, I think. Definitely better than The Office.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I loved it.
Keith Chegwin and Orlando Bloom were great.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rick Skelton said:
Definitely my favourite episode so far. The way the characters developed was great, they had real depth. I thought it was incredibly funny too. Bloom was unbearable, but that's possibly an accurate account of him!
Easily as good as the office, which takes some doing. It's different though, apart from when Maggie was being talked down by her 'friend', it didn't rely on embarassment as humour, which gervais does a bit too often.
How great is Barry?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Barry really is the highlight of the show. Invariably hilarious.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Quote: Aaron @ September 14, 2006, 8:48 PMMy Family, Peep Show, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps...
View original
Okay, that's three. If you can name any more, maybe I'll take back what I said.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Welllll I suppose it depends on your definition of "these days" is.
Although I believe that Supernova is meant to be coming back for a third series, is it not? (Do correct me...)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rick Skelton said:
Quote: earman2009 @ September 15, 2006, 7:14 PM
Okay, that's three. If you can name any more, maybe I'll take back what I said.
View original
The Royal Family, Still Game, Early Doors.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Fine. I stand corrected. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Cameron Phillips said:
I really liked the opening episode. The section with Andy taking control of the filming by bossing Keith Chegwin about was absolute class.
"Both Keiths..all of Keith!"
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Radics said:
Is the BBC still run by jews and queers?
Genius. How does RG get away with it, making a programme funded by the BBC that sonstantly slags them off? It is clear that he has nothing but contempt for the morons that run the place.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I'm not sure he quite thinks that, but either way, they know that they can make a hell of a lot more money out of him than he can of them.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Radics said:
Oh come on, it's obvious that he thinks that. The two BBC guys are portrayed as shallow idiots who dumb down everything they get their grubby hands on. His character has written a sitcom with depth to it and they are ruining it due to their obsession with catchphrases etc.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I think that's more of a dig at the current state of British comedy as a whole, and indeed TV producers in general, than the BBC in particular. And specifically in regards to dumbing down, come on. That could be ANY part of current society.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Radics said:
Wrong. Gervais once commented that when he pitched The Office to the BBC, they said to him that their problem with the show was they didn't believe that someone as incomptent as David Brent would be able to stay in a job. Gervais said that he would prove incompetent people can stay in jobs by knocking on the doors of the people who 'work' for the BBC. I think that says it all.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Well that was insightful.
Perhaps you could expand on that? Add some real argument and intellectual thought? I'm willing to be convinced otherwise, but "Wrong." isn't going to do it at all.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Radics said:
I've just expanded on it. I clicked on the post reply button by mistake. Perhaps you should wait a while before posting your comments. Not that I have any interest in trying to convince you otherwise.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
There were 6 minutes between your post and mine!
But back to the subject in question, if that is true, then it seems that he may very well have a certain aspect of contempt for some of the BBC. However, I would still argue that that could be applied to any profession - and indeed any TV station or production company - and further that if he really disliked the BBC that much then he would not have brought the programme(s) to them in the first place.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Thomps said:
It's hard to say if he is having a go at the BBC or British comedy in general. It will probably become clearer as the second series progresses. Gervais has never made a secret of the fact that he prefers US comedy to the stuff that we churn out, but I'm not sure if he believes that the situation is entirely the fault of the Beeb.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
I quite enjoyed the new episode - like has been said above, "Barry off Eastenders" made it for me.
Also is it a bit worrying that I found Andy's sitcom funnier than some of the genuine recent real sitcoms?!?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quite possibly. Not sure what it says more about though!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Cameron Phillips said:
I think Ricky Gervais has got to the point now where he is such an asset to the BBC that they wouldn't dare do anything to tick him off. If that means letting him have sly digs at the corporation in his show then so be it. I think all the characters in Extras are amplified to a certain degree anyway.
And anyway, he's only taking the mick. It wouldn't be much cop if the BBC Comedy department couldn't take a joke would it?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Good point!
Quote: Mark @ September 17, 2006, 5:12 PMI quite enjoyed the new episode - like has been said above, "Barry off Eastenders" made it for me.
Also is it a bit worrying that I found Andy's sitcom funnier than some of the genuine recent real sitcoms?!?
View original
I agree actually. Even when Ricky's trying to be crap, he can't be as incompetent as the people who wrote Green Green Grass. (Not to name names...)
I still couldn't look at him when he was wearing the wig and glasses though. It's worse than when he was playing the genie in series one. Physically painful. : )
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Thomps said:
I quite like Extras, but it can be a bit smug at times. The parallels between Andy and RG's own experiences mean that the second series is often little more than an exercise in navel-gazing.
It has some funny moments (most of them courtesy of Barry and the agent) but the celebrity cameos are starting to grate as are the painful to watch bits (the scenes from series two, episode one featuring Maggie and the actress from hell were not funny, they were just painful to watch and I had to leave the room during the David Bowie scene). I would rather see a greater emphasis on the relationship between Andy and Maggie (IMHO this provided the bulk of the laughs during the first series) and less of the celebs poking fun at themselves.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Well, we've only had two episodes. Maybe your wish will come true in the rest of the series.
Did you have to leave the room because it was too awkward? I didn't think the Bowie scene was like that.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Miranda Walker said:
I enjoyed the David Bowie scenes. What I like best about Ricky Gervais' writing is the awkward moments and the pathos.
I also like that the second series has developed the Andy character and moved him on from the shadows of Extraland. Even if he might wish he was back there and might well be back there in an episode or two!
I heard Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have said they won't write another sitcom but will focus on drama. Has anyone heard of any drama from them in the pipeline?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Thomps said:
I'm not sure if that's entirely true. I've read that RG has a couple of comedy shows in the works. I think the drama rumour comes from his comments that US drama is far superior to UK drama and that at some point he would like to produce a show that's as good as The Sopranos etc.
I had to leave the room during the scene where Bowie sings the stupid fat little man song because it was too awkward. Watched it again during my lunch break, however, and thought it was quite funny. It probably caught me in the wrong frame of mind on Thursday evening.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, katie__pillar said:
I'm really looking forward to Daniel Radcliffe - I've seen some clips and he looks great!
Barry off Eastenders is indeed the highlight of the show, though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Barry is brilliant!
Ricky said recently in an interview that it wasn't true that they would never do another sitcom/comedy. But that they might do a drama next. And maybe set it in America.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Walker said:
The new series is excellent so far. I love how they have utilized Barry more. The David Bowie scene was a stroke of genius. And apparently, Ricky couldn't stop laughing when they first started filming it.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Quote: Walker @ September 25, 2006, 5:44 PMAnd apparently, Ricky couldn't stop laughing when they first started filming it.
View original
If I'm not mistaken, Ricky can't stop laughing during pretty much any scene.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Miranda Walker said:
I'm glad it seems as though Gervais & Merchant will do more comedy - thanks for that Thomps74 and Zooo. It'll be great to see some drama from them in addition to the comedy, not instead of.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Yeah!
I hope they're both in it though, and not just writing it.
I loved Ricky in his guest straight role in Alias. He was fantastic.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Miranda Walker said:
Since seeing Stephen Merchant in Extras I think he could've pulled off the part of Gareth in The Office. Having said that I liked Mackenzie Crook's performance.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jason Kindred said:
I like this show alot, and think the double act between Merchant and Barry off Eastenders is brilliant. I have a couple of niggles. Maggie seems to have been marginalised this series, and I find myself not caring about her storylines (what was the point of her in the Bowie episode?). Also, as much as I'm enjoying the Andy Millman sitcom story, I don't believe a word of it. Would people really be quoting lines at him after only one episode of it had been broadcast? And would homeless men in the street really know who Andy Millman is? I'm being pedantic, but a big part of RG's spiel is how realistic and naturalistic his comedy is, and this clearly isn't.
That said, it's still the funniest show on at the moment, and it's a real pleasure to watch it back to back with That Mitchell and Webb Look.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, frostyboy said:
I loved the David Bowie scene in episode 2. I've heard that Diana Rigg makes a guest appearence in an episode of series 2, does anyone know if that's true?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
Picking up from Jason's comments, there's another thing that niggles me, namely would Andy really put up with his incompetent agent? I could believe it when he was an extra but now that he's had a sitcom commissioned, wouldn't he dump this loser at the first opportunity? The guy has always been an idiot but in last night's episode he wandered in to the realms of the ridiculous. Are we really supposed to believe that he hasn't heard of Harry Potter? And the bits where he insulted Warwick Davis and went on Richard & Judy without telling Andy...I mean, c'mon, it's hardly credible. Who would put up with that?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
If you were the writer of Extras, would you get rid of the agent character? What you wrote does make sense and if it were real life, he probably would get away from the agent, but luckily it's a sitcom and the agent's going nowhere! 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Donnomc said:
Totally missed the first series & have only just started watching.
I caught the episode with Daniel Radcliffe. Pretty funny.
Extras has the Cringeworthy Comedy Element that The Office Had.
For me Steven Merchant stole the show in this episode.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
I wouldn't get rid of the agent as he is often the funniest character in the show. I just felt that much of his behaviour in the latest episode was more idiotic than usual. As Jason said, a lot of RG's spiel is how realistic and naturalistic his comedy is and there are elements of the second series that go against this. These quibbles aside, it's still a good show with a number of v. funny moments.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ginger Jesus said:
I think he'll get rid of the agent at the end of this series. As we saw with office he/they like to tie things up, and they've said their not doing anymore. So i think Andy'll snap with him before the end and get rid of him.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
I'm not sure what to make of Extras at the moment. It still has some funny moments, but the characters are behaving in increasingly strange ways (especially Maggie...in the first series she was socially inept and a bit dim at times, but she now appears to be brain dead and her only purpose in the show is to land Andy in trouble), whilst the celebrity cameos are swamping the storylines. Here comes Chris Martin, playing himself as an obnoxious prick...yawn. Having said that, the scenes with Ronnie Corbett were really funny. I still can't get the image of him doing drugs out of my head.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Cameron Phillips said:
Corbett was brilliant. He must have been really sporting to let them play it that way. Imagine the first meeting.
"Well Ronnie, we want to suggest that you're on cocaine. That sit alright with you?"
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
I thought Chris Martin did a good job last night. Ronnie Corbett was great though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Blenkinsop said:
Last night had me doubled up.
Now that was funny, unlike the dross of 'Not going out' that I had to endure earlier tonight.
Chalk and cheese.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, SlagA said:
Wrong? Radics, you can't state 'wrong' as if it makes everything you say true. We're talking about opinions here. Opinions, however loud or persistent, are still opinions. Opinions aren't based on fact. And until science invents a Giggle-o-meter for comedy then all we'll ever talk about is opinion. Some people love Gervais, some hate him, some don't care. It's the same show, but it produces different responses.
To take what a character said in his show and repeat it as basis for Gervais' own beliefs is nonsensical. Very few artists / writers reveal their true emotions or thoughts, they modify them or repeat things that they've observed in other people. If it was a phrase in his autobiography then there may be justification for insisting 'Is the beeb still run by jews and queers?' is his true opinion of an institution that had faith in him and made his fortune. But it was a gag in a comedy show. It's sole function was to make people laugh, not to disseminate a truth. The two beeb execs obsessed with catchphrases is nothing new or earthshatteringly anarchic to the Beeb's bosses. Again, they are vehicles for jokes not propoganda from the Ministry of Gervais' (un)funny walks.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Very well put.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
The move to turn Maggie in to a retard continues apace. Why was she even in last night's episode? The scene in which she received the text message from Andy and blurted out "What's your name?" wasn't funny or consistent with the first series - the character has been reduced to mentally challenged status.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, frostyboy said:
Quote: Wheeler @ October 13, 2006, 9:00 AMThe move to turn Maggie in to a retard continues apace. Why was she even in last night's episode? The scene in which she received the text message from Andy and blurted out "What's your name?" wasn't funny or consistent with the first series - the character has been reduced to mentally challenged status.
View original
I agree. It's also unrealistic that Andy would allow her to keep coming along to
the filming of his shows/movies, after all of the damage she's caused to his career in the past.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
It has become depressingly predictable - every episode is the same, Maggie has a blonde moment, the agent acts like a twat, Andy makes a racist/sexist/homophobic comment, Andy gets caught in an awkward situation, a celebrity makes an appearance and plays up the public perception that they are a dick. The end.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Miranda Walker said:
Sadly, Wheeler's synopsis does seem to sum up the plot of the episodes this series.
I still found enough funny incidents to keep me watching though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Damn His Duckpond said:
It's got to the point where I am quite glad Extras will end this week. Episode 5 with Ian McKellen just wasn't funny and badly written. You tend not to expect that from Gervais and Merchant.
I just wish they had spent a little less time trying to be clever, and a little more time trying to be funny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
In some ways, they've spent too much time trying to be funny.
The central problem is that it feels like a series of (admittedly often funny) sketches rather than a well rounded sitcom. Take, for instance, episode four - there was a lot of time devoted to Chris Martin at the beginning of this episode, with a string of gags revolving around the singer, and then this plot strand was suddenly dropped, rather than woven in to the episode as a whole.
This has happened a lot in series two, which would explain Maggie's shift from forgetful misfit to brain dead zombie and Andy behaving like a narrow minded fool in one scene and then like an OK, down to earth bloke in the next. Gervais and Merchant have sacrificed character development in the pursuit of laughs and squeezing in as many celeb appearances as possible. The first series had a better balance to it. The result is that Extras series two has some funny moments, but it doesn't hang together like The Office did.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
Wheeler's comments are pretty accurate but I still think that it has been a really enjoyable series even if it doesn't come up to the standards set by The Office.
I'm also appalled at some of the comments about racism and homophobia that I've seen on other sites.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Some people are just never going to get it.
I've enjoyed it a lot, but I can see where some of the criticisms about Maggie and other slight repetitions in plot, are coming from.
It's still miles better than almost all the other current sitcoms though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Nick @ October 18, 2006, 11:20 AMI'm also appalled at some of the comments about racism and homophobia that I've seen on other sites.
View original
What have people been saying?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Damn His Duckpond said:
The worst thread concerning Extras I have seen is at Digital Spy, where they have over-analysed the programme to death. At one point - and I'm not making this up - someone questioned why Darren Lamb was eating a muffin.
Hopefully it will go out on a high tomorrow.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wheeler said:
Quote: Aaron @ October 18, 2006, 9:42 PM
What have people been saying?
View original
Take a look at the Chortle forum. I would say that there are some interesting comments on there re. racism and homophobia in Extras, although I wouldn't agree with them all.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ginger Jesus said:
It might be further back in the thread, but is Big Bobby D'niro in tonights episode? I know not everyone is a fan of the celebs taking the piss out of themselves, I think it's funny, but it's pretty much the same joke each week, there was no need for so many. However Rob D'niro!? I take my hat off sir.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Extras 2 fas been fantastically funny as far as Im concerned, I love the office, but this is a different show and it annoys me when people keep comparing the two; take it on its own terms.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Thomps said:
Pretty good end to the series, I thought - one of the stronger episodes. Highlights were Robert Lindsay (the best celeb appearance, along with Ronnie Corbett, from series two) and the expression on De Nero's face when he saw the nudie pen.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
I only saw the last few minutes but i love how Merchant said "Ooh look, she's got no clothes on". Then D'niro can't take his eyes off the pen. ha.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
Really enjoyed the last episode. Robert Lindsay was superb when he threw the bear at the sick child and told him that there was something wrong with his brain. De Niro's cameo was short but sweet as well.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Miranda Walker said:
The pen bit was great!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ginger Jesus said:
I was a little disappointed with the D'Niro cameo, i thought it could have been better. I thought he was going to get caught wanking with the pen. How much would they have to pay for that!?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
Having watched the whole of Series 2, my conclusion is that it was very good but slightly behind Series 1. Certainly agree with the comments that Maggie was a bit wasted this time around. She was used as a bit of a dumb stooge at times when I think in the first series she was more central to the plot. Found some of the material a bit over repetitive too. Perhaps the novelty has worn off and maybe will improve with a second viewing.
On the whole though, still generally better than most of the stuff on at the moment. Thought the last episode was great, and Robert Lindsay very funny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Agreed. Lindsay and De Niro were brilliant, but Barry still stole the show for me. Excellent. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Badge said:
Hmm. Extras 2 = disappointing. At least the final episode (in forsaking some comedy) made Maggie a human being again, rather than the world's stupidest person that she had somehow regressed to despite all her character development in series 1. Overall there were funny bits (especially Bowie and Count Fuckula), but I kept expecting it to get better and it didn't. There was nothing in series 2 to touch the Kate Winslet or Les Dennis episodes, and there was plenty of repetition of the same themes. Hopefully the next Gervais and Merchant outing will deliver some new themes, as they do dark, tragic and awkward very well.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ginger Jesus said:
Kate Winslet was great. Your right, and I think most will agree, it was a funny programme, but basically the celebrity joke was the same each week (apart from Corbett) and it became a bit predictable and tired. That doesn't mean I didn't piss myself laughing each week, but perhaps they should have concentrated more on the main characters, rather than the celebs each week.
I have been up all night, so any jibberish I type, (i will not be hekld responsible!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
Quote: Ginger Jesus @ October 22, 2006, 7:49 AMI think most will agree, it was a funny programme, but basically the celebrity joke was the same each week (apart from Corbett) and it became a bit predictable and tired. That doesn't mean I didn't piss myself laughing each week, but perhaps they should have concentrated more on the main characters, rather than the celebs each week.
View original
Agreed. It was still very very funny in most parts but think the celebrity jokes did detract from the Andy/Maggie dynamics that were so strong in much of series 1 and in episode 6 of series 2. Doesn't mean it was a bad series though and I still really enjoyed it.
But there has to be at least one more. I mean, there are too many loose ends that need tying up aren't there?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Maybe just a Christmas special one day?
I'm ready for his next project now though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
Quote: zooo @ October 22, 2006, 1:34 PMMaybe just a Christmas special one day?
View original
I think that is the likely scenario, a la the Office finale a few years ago.
Will Maggie and Andy be the new Tim and Dawn? Aaaahhh...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wout Thielemans said:
This one's going to be long, I'm afraid...
Didn't like the last one a bit (except for De Niro falling for the pen). The problem for me was really in the writing, though.
This episode tried to do so much: Andy gets popular 'acceptability' as Jonathan Woss' new best friend. (why does Jonathan like him so much? Beats me) Then he's still an arsehole over the sick child (doesn't want to behave honourably, too much of a coward to come out and just say no). Then he totally outgrows his pals, neglecting Maggie (who had it coming since season One with her utterly destructive behaviour towards him) and firing Darren (who had it coming even BEFORE season one)over the wanking incident (not funny in my book). On top of this we have Robert Lyndsay behaving like the Actor from Hell (over-the-top, not in a good way). And by the end he has to become Mr. Nice-ish Guy again (aaawww...) AND get his cake and eat it (meeting DN after all)... Compare this to the very slow character development in previous episodes, and it becomes clear Gervais and Merchant tried to cram far too much into thirty minutes, especially where Andy is concerned.
Looking back on both series, I find Extras to be a bit too schizophrenic. On the one hand it lampoons stars, sometimes quite viciously - and it also manages to get some career-best performances from its 'victims' (Orlando and Daniel Radcliffe were both far better here than I've ever seen them before, Les Dennis was scarily convincing, as was Cheggers). Compared to them, Andy and Maggie fall into 'nice, everyday people'-mode, looking on with amusement or horror (as would we all) as the stars misbehave completely. On the other hand, we get a sitcom about a petty, selfish, cowardly little man who wants to become an actor (why is never made clear), has an unbelievable amount of success (in series 2) despite starring in an awful show (am I 'aving a laff? Am I 'aving a laff?! I don't think so), yet remains the sad little loser he's always been.
Personally, I've much preferred the 'piss-take on luvvies'-aspect of the show to the 'sad little loser gets into well-deserved embarrassing pickle'-aspect of it, but I'm sure many will feel exactly the opposite. However, I think this dichotomy in the show is exactly what will keep it from all-time-great status. The celebs are a great gimmick - and in several episodes more than that. It's also what sells the series. The adventures of Andy Millman in themselves aren't really that interesting.
There's also a lack of 'realism' in the personal relationships which undermines the whole thing, as far as I'm concerned. Maggie is Andy's best friend, but time and time again she says exactly what she shouldn't say (out of rampant idiocy, or repressed hostility? Not clear) to the wrong people, causing Andy an enormous amount of misery over time. Would a platonic, non-committal friendship survive all that grief? Similarly, why does Andy stay with Darren? He's intelligent enough to see how crap he is as an agent, and once his career takes off, Darren is a liability. Yet he doesn't even try to get Darren to pull his finger out until the last episode (where Andy has done over to the 'Dark Side'.
It's also in little things we see this reflected: would Barry from Eastenders be wanking with the pen seconds after Darren had been caught out? Would Darren stand up with his member exposed (and dribbling... yeucch) when being told off by Andy, or would he pull his underpants up first? More to the point - how did he get such an amazing bachelor pad apartment, and since when does an obviously good cook use an egg beater to 'whisk' a turd through his toilet while entertaining a woman? Was there no funnier scene (or sequence of scenes) imaginable between Maggie and Darren during the seduction date?
Similarly, I found that several humiliation scenarios were just a bit too heavy-handed to be 'real', even within this comedic world (the play comes to mind, but also the insulting of the catholic priest in season one).
Kudos for Stephen Merchant for some of the funniest scenes of the series. And several scenes and sketches will remain in my memory for the rest of my life. However, these are almost all celeb-based (man, I'd love to see Patrick Stewart's screenplay brought to life ). If Extras had concentrated solely on this aspect, it would have been an all-time great, I feel (even if it had only lasted one season). Now, I feel it's destined for the lower end of the sub-top of comedy history.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
...And then all her clothes fall off.
Classic.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Baumski said:
For all the really nice touches in Extras – and the David Bowie cameo was worth tuning in for just for that – all I see in Andy is a softer David Brent and given the choice, I'll take The Office over Extras.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Baumski @ November 16, 2006, 4:12 PM...all I see in Andy is a softer David Brent...
View original
Exactly what I said at the beginning of series 1. But unlike The Office, I actually do find the show funny (although not hilarious/genius/etc).
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Duke Bilko said:
From being a huge Ricky Gervais fan for his work in The Office, now we constantly see him in his own persona I consider him to be a huge turn-off. The problem is, far from just Andy being another version of David Brent, Gervais himself is simply a de-tuned version of Brent, as we see now in his reglar TV and radio appearances.
I was delighted to see Stephen Marchent win the best comedy actor award recently and that night he showed himself to be the funnier, more erudite and more intelligent part of the Gervais-Marchent partnership. I have become increasingly convinced that he is the real powerhouse behind the collaboration and I hope he increasingly gets the recognition he deserves from the TV critics (and Jonathan Ross) who worship at the feet of Ricky Gervais.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Agreed. Gervais is far, FAR overrated. IMO, amusing at best.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, wii-man76 said:
Beter late than never, but I have just started watching Extras Series 2 for the first time on DVD!
I've had it for a few weeks now and it has been sitting on the shelf gathering dust, I'd not bothered watching it as I thought it would just be an 'OK' kind of comedy, how wrong could I be?...
Much, much better than Series 1 and it had me laughing out loud all the way through!
OMG the character Ricky Gervais is so 'bad' it is hilarious!!!
If you haven't seen this yet, go get it now on DVD - you wont regret it!
"Are You Having A Laugh?"
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: wii-man76 @ July 7, 2007, 8:58 PMMuch, much better than Series 1
View original
Really? Intiguing. Without looking back, I think that general consensus of opinion - certainly mine at least - was the opposite. Anything in particular about it?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
I thought it was OK - probably better than a lot of other stuff but by RG's standards - just OKand enjoyable.
Maybe that's enough really!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Quote: David Chapman @ July 8, 2007, 1:02 AMI thought it was OK - probably better than a lot of other stuff but by RG's standards - just OKand enjoyable.
Maybe that's enough really!
View original
That's pretty much how I felt about it.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I preferred it to The Office (series 1 anyway). But it didn't fill me with joy or excitement (well, apart from the agent and Barry, of course). It was just good. The second series was weaker. Still good in places (ditto), but not as good as the first.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
I thought the second series was much better than the first. The agent and Barry were easily the stars of this. Didn't really care much for Andy and Maggie, though enjoyed them both in the Bowie episode.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
I thought Maggie was brilliant, but I agree Agent and Barry shined.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Agent and Barry were definitely the main draw of the second series.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Baumski said:
Quote: David Chapman @ July 8, 2007, 1:02 AMprobably better than a lot of other stuff but by RG's standards
View original
But all the other stuff IS exactly the same standard because it is ALL the same. Ricky Gervais is really good at being/playing Ricky Gervais but when the wheels come off the Ricky Gervais bandwagon, as they did at the Princess Dead gig, it ends up being excellent car crash entertainment.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
I think when The Office came along many people were thinking it's a brilliant piece of work (and it still is IMO) but the more you see Gervais the more you think "That is it." That is the only type of comedy he can do.
But then John Sullivan writes the same type of humour all the time. Roy Clarke does. Richard Curtis and Ben Elton do. Edmonson and Mayall did.
There's a part of me that says, "Have your own style and we like that, we're comfortable with it." But then you think it'd be nice if they tried something new. If Richard Curtis wrote his take on gross-out humour, say.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jeremy Smith said:
I'm surprised that, on a website full of people who are interested in comedy, no-one has noticed the intentions of the 2nd series - to mock Little Britain (which was their main rival for awards when they had The Office), as well as other trashy comedies, for selling out and working for the money rather than quality. If you can't see that was the intention of series 2, then it's hardly surprising so many people don't appreciate it.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rick Skelton said:
Quote: David H @ July 9, 2007, 9:55 AMI think when The Office came along many people were thinking it's a brilliant piece of work (and it still is IMO) but the more you see Gervais the more you think "That is it." That is the only type of comedy he can do.
View original
Is there anyone who does things any differently? Gervais seems to get a lot of flak for writing one type of comedy. But as you rightly point out, lots of people do the same. Even guys who are lauded over, like Kevin Smith, have a comfort zone and very rarely stray from it. I think it can get repetitive, like Peter Kay, who annoys me because he just refuses to develop his writing at all. But with Gervais, I think he's got a bit of mileage left. He knows when he's run out of idea's and he puts a different spin on each show. That was important with people like Sullivan and Marks and Gran and others. Their stuff wasn't original, it stuck to a similar formula but the situations and characters varied.
I'm not being facetious, but I genuinely can't think of a comedy writer who tried new things and different formula's and different types of comedy. Gervais does what he does. A lot of the humour in his shows comes from embarrassing and ironic situations.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
He's doing drama next, apparently.
Is that enough of a change?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Badge said:
Quote: Jeremy Smith @ July 9, 2007, 2:36 PMI'm surprised that, on a website full of people who are interested in comedy, no-one has noticed the intentions of the 2nd series - to mock Little Britain (which was their main rival for awards when they had The Office), as well as other trashy comedies, for selling out and working for the money rather than quality. If you can't see that was the intention of series 2, then it's hardly surprising so many people don't appreciate it.
View original
I wasn't aware that the quality of comedies (or anything else) should be judged on their intentions. I think Tony Blair had good intentions with the Iraq War.
Nor that the absence of anyone else stating (one of) the bleeding obvious intentions of Extras 2 meant they didn't "get" it. Maybe they thought it was bleeding obvious.
To my mind, Extras 2 failed relatively speaking because it lost track of elementary rules of sitcom (or any dramatic form): you need the characters to behave believably; you need them to be consistent; and you need to care about what happens to them.
My verdict:
Extras 1 = very good
Extras 2 = disappointing (though not quite as bad as some on here are suggesting)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Ed Parnell said:
I did find though that Extras two was very much built around the premise of the small guy meeting the big star, much more so than the first series. I also felt that some of the diversionary business could have been stronger, and I honestly questioned why the Millman character did certain things.
It wasn't the worst thing ever as some have said, but it could have been much stronger had it not been so concious of the gravitas of some of it's guests.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
It was a Sitcom. It doesn't necessarily have to reflect real life!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Little film of Ricky and Stephen, about their final Extras special.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Lceai0lps
I found it very funny!
This is what I think people (not people here, just some people) take as Ricky being 'himself'. But isn't. Obviously.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Quote: zooo @ July 13, 2007, 7:08 PMLittle film of Ricky and Stephen, about their final Extras special.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32Lceai0lps
I found it very funny!
This is what I think people (not people here, just some people) take as Ricky being 'himself'. But isn't. Obviously.
View original
Watching it on youtube. 