Extras
'The difficult second album' was destined to not be seen as ground breaking after the success of The Office and critics almost felt it compulsory to praise but at the same time be wary about falling into believing the hype. Extras is a sitcom following Andy Millman, a struggling part time extra constantly speaking highly of himself and wanting others to see him in a nonexistent light. The series plays of the same pathetic sympathy we felt for David Brent but there is the difference here that Andy actually is funny, wise and a good person to being round.
Without wanting to make this a comparison article, Extras is also an amazingly funny six part sitcom but still has the dark undertone which more then anything adds real depth to what could have been a decision of Gervais to make a sketch show where many parts of the show would work. It's the relationships between the characters that make the show, large credit to talent of Ashley Jensen who plays Maggie Jacobs, a name which personifies her personality. In much the same way people may have been unexcited about a show in a paper merchants, the supporting artists aspect of the show is simply a backdrop in which the relationships can be played out.
Each episode of the series features a superstar playing an exaggerated version of themselves, one being Samuel L Jackson who is 'The coolest man on the planet' in the eyes of Ricky Gervais, and I'd have to agree. With stars like Kate Winslet, Ben Stiller and Patrick Stewart happily hopping on board, Mr Gervais ego is close to exploding, not helped by how all have previously claimed to have been fans of The Office.
Although they do link, each episode can be watched on its own and each has Andy taking part in a different production and doing his best to get a speaking role with the hilarious scene of the a director cutting just as he is about to get his face on camera summing up the life he leads and the hope to go further. The situation is not helped by his useless agent played fantastically by Stephen Merchant, a character who does little else other then breaking into songs with Barry from Eastenders while still requesting his 12.5% for any work Andy finds himself. Playing a character similar to that of seen by the agent in the The Office Christmas special episodes, Andy cannot find it in himself to sack his agent, with the reason that he doesn't want to see his stupid sad little face, all reasonable.
It seems Andy is heavily influenced by Mr Gervais himself, the humour is similar, the views disturbing at times but bearing the same sarcasm, offensiveness and expressions we can almost hear from the many podcasts released by the comedy trio of himself, Stephen Merchant and the legend Karl Pilkington. It's clear some thoughts come straight from Gervais, such as why The Office and Extras do and will continue to be broadcast on BBC 2 rather then the more mainstream and dumbed down BBC 1. The Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais partnership is one which continues to work so well and with Extras series 2 only weeks away now and already having Stephen Fry, David Bowie, Orlando Bloom and Chris Martin confirmed to appear, the numbers of stars is getting bigger but will the laughs be bigger? We can only wait and see but with the standard the duo have maintained, it's sure not to be a disappointment.
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