Extras

"Extras" is a low-key hilarious spoof of the universe as seen through the eyes of a miserable & failed actor who is equally miserable & failed at the role of being a human. The main draw of this clever comedy is the cameo appearance by a famous moviestar in each episode (Ben Stiller, Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, David Bowie, etc), and in each case the celebrity moviestar plays an outrageous parody of himself or herself which is totally at odds with their true personality.

For example in Episode 1, "Ben Stiller", Ben plays a totally unhinged, arrogantly-insecure movie director who boasts about slapping Jennifer Anniston's ass ("in a movie though." "THAT COUNTS!") or in Episode 6, "Patrick Stewart", the Shakespearean goliath himself Patrick Stuart plays a vapid, emotionally-stunted, nudity-obsessed adolescent who makes you realize how Beavis & Butthead might be after they grew up. Also definitely stick around for Episode 8, "David Bowie" where bowie thrills a party with his impromptu song "Chubby Little Loser" with which he serenades Ricky Gervais.

All of this is played with a totally straight-faced, deadpan, witty & distinctively British sense of humour (spelled with an 'our') that should thrill all English speaking audiences.

But it gets better. Or worse, depending on how you feel about this. The stories aren't pure absurdist comedy like the examples I mentioned. Each episode carries an undercurrent of some serious social problem, usually regarding prejudice & insensitivity, that is brilliantly and hilariously--and slightly depressingly--woven into the story. I'll give you an example:

In Episode 3, "Kate Winslet", Kate plays an obnoxious, Oscar-award-obsessed parody of herself, taking on roles in powerful dramas about things like the Holocaust, pretending to care about the issues, just because she knows those roles win the awards. In a parallel story, Ricky ("Adam") begins flirting with a girl he meets who is Catholic, so he pretends he too is Catholic, with hilariously disastrous results when he meets an actual priest. And at the same time he is forcing a show of empathy for the girl's sister who has cerebral palsy (excellently played by comedienne & real-life cerebral palsy afflicted Francesca Martinez, whom you gotta check out on youtube after the show). Like Kate, Ricky is merely putting on a front to mask his selfish agenda, only we see the duality of Kate's success vs. Ricky's utter failure, and that's the "a bit depressing" part I mentioned in my title.

It's not played off as schlocky or silly or with a big drumshot punchline. Instead we get just enough sobering reality to affect us on a serious level while on the surface we are mirthfully awaiting the next gag. Sometimes, masterfully, the next gag doesn't come and we are left with the sobering reality. This might be disorienting to audiences who are just expecting a zany comedy, but to me it's what elevates this production from zany comedy to masterpiece material. Without losing its comedic rhythm, "Extras" gives us some powerful thoughts to ponder, but ultimately leaves us laughing.

Ricky Gervais would continue to refine this storytelling technique, perhaps even recycle some of these powerful thoughts in later productions (such as his 2009 film "The Invention of Lying" which uses a powerful bit from the "Kate Winslet" episode regarding faith and the afterlife), and Ricky would eventually arrive at what is to me is best work so far, the currently running "After Life". If you enjoy "Extras" then definitely check out "After Life" where Ricky turns up the volume on the depressing aspects while keeping in line with the witty, sarcastic humour that keeps us coming back for more.

This sort of societally-self-deprecating comedy is a rare occurrence (and by 'societally-self-deprecating' I'm talking about comedies that shed light on society's flaws by unapologetically parading these flaws in our faces). But if you enjoyed "The Sarah Silverman Show" (where she herself plays a cluelessly selfish, borderline racist, privileged white girl) then you might know what to expect. But in Sarah Silverman, the comedy does come across as campy and silly so it's not quite as powerful and quietly sobering as what we get here. But in both cases, it's a novel way of looking at our crazy, conflicted society through the veil of laughs. Definitely check this series out if you have the chance.

Every so often, England hits the comedic mark and creates a benchmark to which all else must aspire; Monthy Python, Dad's Army, Fawlty Towers, Only Fools and Horses and, of course, the simply faultless "The Office". The writing team of Gervais and Merchant crafted in that series some of the most achingly funny and desperately well observed depictions of the human condition ever committed to film. "The Office" struck a particular chord with me because I have spent most of my adult life in sales and they nailed the highs and lows of that career brilliantly.

Moving on then to their new offering; "Extras", I am happy to report that the observational skills have not deserted them. This time the central character (Andy Millman) is again played by Ricky Gervais, only, unlike his David Brent character, Millman is astute, caring and worth the time of day. Unforutnately, like Brent, he is also trapped in a spiral of underachievement.

Andy Millman is an film extra, a background artiste, who aspires to a real acting role and the central theme of each episode is his quest for a "line" in each film in which he appears in the background. Along side him is his (seemingly) only friend, a frustrated thirty something woman, Maggie Jacobs (superbly played by Ashley Jensen), whose sole aim seems to be to find a husband / longterm partner. Add into this mix a chronically crap agent (Merchant himself), a nemesis in the shape of another extra who seems to be getting lines and a liberal sprinkling of cameoing "A" list guest stars and you have a wonderful platform on which to build a spankingly funny series.

And wow... do they hit a home run! Every second of each episode is deliciously funny and acutely observed. Highlights to look out for are the Ben Stiller/Dodgeball opening weekend grosses scene - the Golly scene in Maggie's apartment - the "Are you really a Catholic scene" and, above anything you will have ever seen in a TV comedy, the entire Les Dennis episode.

Les Dennis will be lost on Americans but for those of us who have followed his plunging career, you can only weep for this superbly written and judged performance. Pathos doesn't even begin to cover it.

Also, anyone who can look at Kate Winslet again without thinking of that "phone sex" scene is a better man than me.

Please, please, watch "Extras". It may, for some, be an acquired taste but once you have that taste, its like a piece of Swiss chocolate - exquisite.

And no laugh track either - yay England.

After The Office and the superb Christmas Special, Extras had a lot to follow. Once I'd got over the newness (to me at least) of the other key actors, and the shock of seeing Ben Stiller playing himself as such a horrible person, I really liked it. The "Herman Munster" bit with the guy with the club foot had me laughing despite how cringe-worthy it was. Ricky's character is easy to sympathise with and the level of "shallowness" seems just right to me. However, on the BBC on Thursday, Extras is followed by Catherine Tate and Absolute Power with Stephen Fry, and both of these were on a par with Extras. That's 90 minutes of 1st class TV entertainment, lucky us!

"Extras" is another comedic highlight from the men who thought up "The Office". One might think that the success of their previous show put too much pressure on them to come up with a new project as brilliant and hilarious, but they pulled it off. "Extras" is every bit as funny "The Office". The humour is actually very similar with people talking themselves into uncomfortable situations all the time. I think that it's the new setting that turned off a lot of people who have written negative reviews. "The Office" gave us regular guys and something to identify with. A dead end job in a dead end town, gray routine and idiotic colleagues. To laugh about this all too realistic situation had a curative effect on audiences all around the world. With "Extras" it's different. I'm sure that this show is close to reality, too, but only the fewest people have ever worked as extras and can put themselves into the shoes of struggling actors Andy Millman and Maggie Jacobs. If you just accept that this show isn't "The Office" anymore and that there's no Gareth, Tim or Dawn, you'll find out that "Extras" has a lot to offer, too.

Every episode starts with a dramatic scene in Hollywood-style that's dismantled after a moment with someone yelling "cut" or Andy Millman's face popping up in the picture. Each episode also has a different guest star. With the success of "The Office" Gervais and Merchant (who plays a regular part in this series as well) managed to gather some big names for this project. Ben Stiller, Kate Winslet and Patrick Stewart all make very amusing cameos, but it's the British local heroes who really steal the show.

With only 6 episodes (so far) the first season ended way too quickly and I already long for the second series. This show still has lots of different ways to go. Hopefully Gervais and Merchant will explore the private lives of Maggie and Andy more as they did with the characters of "The Office" in the second series. Right now it seems as if everything those two brilliant guys touch turns to gold and I hope this streak of luck continues for a while.

Gervais had a big task on his hands with this project- The Office has now entered into comedy history, and people had very high hopes for his follow-up. The documentary style has been ditched, and Gervais has given his character just a little more dignity than he gave David Brent, so the comedy is a little less squeamish. The changes in direction and style are daring and pay off- the show doesn't feel like a desperate follow up or imitation of The Office. In fact, it's highly original.

It's a pitch black satire, which follows the efforts of Gervais's character as he attempts to progress from being an extra to actually getting a real acting job, or at least a line. The shows also charts his female friend's unsuccessful love-life, his deadpan agent and parodies a celebrity every week. This week it was the turn of Ben Stiller, who was mocked as an evil dictator of a man, who constantly reminds those around him of the box office of his movies and insists that kissing Cameron Diaz "still counts", even though it was for a movie. Stiller is a good sport for joining in, and has fun messing with his image.

Overall the show is gently paced, well written and shows extremely high potential for character study. Definitely one to watch.

STILLER: DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!? GERVAIS: Starsky or Hutch- I can never remember. STILLER: Was that supposed to be funny? GERVAIS: You were in it- you tell me.