Extras - Series 1 DVD > Reviews > Want to be an Extra - Didn't Think so

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Loved it
Story	Outstanding
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Standard
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	Hilarious and the Return of the Gervais
Disadvantages:	None .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

When I first watched the programme the office when it was first on TV I remember thinking it was one of the funniest programmes I had seen for a long time. Every single character was pure genius and Ricky Gervais became one of the people I would love to meet. When it was announced that The Office was finishing I was a bit disappointed that Ricky had not created more as I think he is a very clever and witty man. Then last year Ricky announced he was creating a programme called Extras and I couldn't wait. Everybody went crazy over the programme and although it could not live up to the standard that is The Office I think it was one of the funniest comedies I saw on TV last year.

-----

What is Extras about?

Andy and Maggie have the most glamorous jobs in the world - they wish. In fact they are Extras for films and TV programmes and they want nothing more than to just be noticed just once and get to say an actual line. Two best friends who are being underpaid and have an even bigger problem keeping what they think to themselves are a recipe for disaster especially when A list celebrities are involved.

Verdict on the concept of the show:

This is a brilliant storyline for a show because it is extremely believable. Everybody thins that if you are working on a TV show or a film that it must be glamorous and this show actually show you how it can be for them. I like the fact that two best friends are doing the same job and they say what they feel and I also like that this show makes you think about what Extras do have to go through in real life.

-----

Cast and Characters:

Ricky Gervais - Andy Millman
Ashley Jennsen - Maggie

Verdict on the cast and characters:

Ashley and Ricky are the only people worth mentioning seen as they take up about 90% of the show. I cannot think of any two actors that would suit the roles better and no two actors that could be as believable as these two are. They must have a wonderful working relationship because their comedy timing is perfect and they work well together as they seem like they really throw themselves into their roles.

The characters themselves are absolutely brilliant as they are so funny and also at times cringe-worthy that you cannot help but love them and want to see what happens next. They are the type of people that you probably would not want to meet in real life as you would be worried about everything they were going to say in-case it was inappropriate so they are very funny to watch on TV.

-----

Special Guest Stars:

Every episode of Extras allows for another special guest star in the form of a celebrity to come and play a part. In this first season of the show we have Kate Winslet, Ross Kemp, Les Dennis, Patrick Stewart, Samuel L Jackson and Ben Stiller. All of these stars are fantastic and extremely well known so it is amazing that they are all in this show and believe me they all do play some funny parts.

-----

Episodes:

Ross Kemp - This episode sees the extras starring in a period drama which stars Ross Kemp and Andy begins to have a feud with another Extra on another drama starring Vinnie Jones. Comedy ensues as the extras begin to go into competition with themselves on which show is better and also who is harder Ross Kemp or Vinnie Jones.

Ben Stiller - Ben Stiller is directing a war film and Andy begins his quest to get a line and Maggie find herself somebody who might want to be involved with her romantically. They soon find out that Stiller is not the nice funny character we always think he must be.

Kate Winslet - When Maggie has trouble talking dirty with a guy she is seeing she finds out that she has an unlikely accomplice in Kate Winslet who is starring as a Nun in a show and should not be saying some of the things she is saying.

Samuel L Jackson - Perhaps the funniest episode is this one where Maggie tries not to appear racist in any sort of way but actually puts her foot in it many times and Andy is still on a quest for a line.

Les Dennis - Needing some quick work Andy agrees to star in a stage production of Aladdin with quite a depressed Les Dennis and Maggie bumps into an old friend who has a very strange relationship with her father.

Patrick Stewart - Andy is actually getting people to notice a script he has been working on by talking to Patrick Stewart and he and Maggie have a bit of an argument as Maggie puts her foot in it again.

-----

My Verdict:

I have to say that this programme is just one word and that is genius. If you want to watch something that is extremely funny but not in an obvious way and is very clever and then with some A list celebrities thrown into the mix then this show is for you. If you are tempted to compare it to the office then don't and just enjoy it for the fun programme it is.

I like the stories they come up with in this programme because I can believe that they happen in real life and I think that the concept of the show is brilliant because they can do anything they like with the show. The world of television and film is so diverse so you can believe that these Extras would meet some big stars and also you can feel the desperation that they would love to have a part in the script just to get noticed.

My favourite character is definitely Maggie because she is so funny and reminds me a little of me. You see I always manage to put my foot in it when I am talking to people and she does that but she really doesn't mean to. Also she is someone that everyone will be able to identify with because all she wants to do is be happy in life and unlike Andy she really doesn't moan about her job as an extra very much.

The one thing that I do love about this programme is that the comedy is not extremely obvious so you know how in many programmes that you know people are going to fall over or say something loud and stupid to make you laugh, well this show is not like that at all. In fact the comedy is so good that if I watch an episode again I will probably notice more jokes that I didn't the first time I watched it. I am forever saying in this programme 'oh I didn't hear that last time' and that to me is a very clever thing that there are so many jokes.

In conclusion I am going to give this show five stars because I think it is amazing and I have watched the episodes several times now and I still find them funny. Great acting and even better stories and you get a very clever TV programme.

Thanks for reading.

xxx

p.s. this is on other review sites by me.