... I've done Extras series 1. I've dried up on Gervais/Merchant sitcoms…that is until last Monday, when the 'critically acclaimed' second series of Extras arrived in our shop windows. Any good though? You bet!
Series one saw Gervais manage to get the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Stiller, ... Read review
Attracting yet more star names, while wisely moving the narrative on, the second series ... more
ofExtrasreally finds the show maturing nicely, and unsurprisingly, cleaned up more awards in the process.That said, it remains a far more divisive programme than it...
Postage & Packaging: free Super Saver Delivery Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Attracting yet more star names, while wisely moving the narrative on, the second series ... more
ofExtrasreally finds the show maturing nicely, and unsurprisingly, cleaned up more awards in the process.That said, it remains a far more divisive programme than it...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 6 to 11 days...
Andy Millman (Ricky Gervals) is a struggling actor with ambition and a script. Darren Lamb ... more
(Stephen Merchant) is Andy's useless agent and Maggie (Ashley Jensen) is his air-headed best friend.After getting his comedy script accepted by the BBC, things a...
Both series of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchants triumphantExtrasare united in this box, ... more
and with nothing more than a Yuletide special planned beyond these episodes, its a great chance to catch up with this star-packed, offbeat programme.Unlike their previousThe Office, Gervais and Merchant have delivered a less accessible but no less rewarding programme withExtras. It starts with Andy Millman, a background artist, sitting in the shadows of a variety of different shows, before, in the second series, he gets his own spot in the limelight.Whats helped characterise the series, of course, has been the continued presence of star names in cameo roles. These range from Hollywood bigshots--Samuel L Jackson, Kate Winslet and Harry Pott.., sorry, Daniel Radcliffe--and continue through to familiar faces from British TV--step forward Les Dennis, Ross Kemp and Barry from EastEnders. Most of the plaudits, though, rightly go in the direction of the splendid Ashley Jensen, who emerges as the most likeable and rounded of all the shows characters.Theres little danger, it seems, thatExtraswill dethroneThe Officefrom the top of its creators CVs, but thanks to its strong writing, its measured mix between melancholy and amusement, and some superb performances, it more than carves a very strong niche for itself. --Jon Foster
Postage & Packaging:free Super Saver Delivery Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Both series of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchants triumphantExtrasare united in this box, ... more
and with nothing more than a Yuletide special planned beyond these episodes, its a great chance to catch up with this star-packed, offbeat programme.Unlike their previousThe Office, Gervais and Merchant have delivered a less accessible but no less rewarding programme withExtras. It starts with Andy Millman, a background artist, sitting in the shadows of a variety of different shows, before, in the second series, he gets his own spot in the limelight.Whats helped characterise the series, of course, has been the continued presence of star names in cameo roles. These range from Hollywood bigshots--Samuel L Jackson, Kate Winslet and Harry Pott.., sorry, Daniel Radcliffe--and continue through to familiar faces from British TV--step forward Les Dennis, Ross Kemp and Barry from EastEnders. Most of the plaudits, though, rightly go in the direction of the splendid Ashley Jensen, who emerges as the most likeable and rounded of all the shows characters.Theres little danger, it seems, thatExtraswill dethroneThe Officefrom the top of its creators CVs, but thanks to its strong writing, its measured mix between melancholy and amusement, and some superb performances, it more than carves a very strong niche for itself. --Jon Foster
Postage & Packaging:Free! Availability:Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Comedy - Director: Richard Boden, Mandie Fletcher, Martin Shardlow - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Hugh Laurie, Miranda Richardson, Stephen Fry, Brian Blessed, Tim McInnerny, Tony Robinson, Rowan Atkinson
Comedy - Original Language: English - Classification: 12 years and over - Starring: Tessa Peake-Jones, Buster Merryfield, David Jason, Nicholas Lyndhurst
Production Year: 2004 - Comedy - Director: John Hay - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jimi Mistry, Kate Miles, Dougray Scott
...and Xmas Special. I've done Extras series 1. I've dried up on Gervais/Merchant sitcoms…that is until last Monday, when the 'critically acclaimed' second series of Extras arrived in our shop windows. Any good though? You bet!
Series one saw Gervais manage to get the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Stiller, Patrick Stewart, Kate Winslet and of course Les Dennis to appear in a comedy about an television extra, Andy Millman (played by ... ...Thankfully the extras, on the Extras DVD, are plentiful. As with all Gervais' stuff, there's a 'making of' style documentary which includes interviews with a number of the big stars that appear. Of course outtakes are there, a short programme entitled "The Art Of Corpsing" which is a development from the outtakes where they discuss the problem of when they start laughing, and just can't stop. And finally "Taping Nigel II" - in ... more
Well…I've done The Office Series 1, 2 and Xmas Special. I've done Extras series 1. I've dried up on Gervais/Merchant sitcoms…that is until last Monday, when the 'critically acclaimed' second series of Extras arrived in our shop windows. Any good though? You bet!
Series one saw Gervais manage to get the likes of Samuel L. Jackson, Ben Stiller, Patrick Stewart, Kate Winslet and of course Les Dennis to appear in a comedy about an television extra, Andy Millman (played by Gervais) who's a desperate man, doing whatever it takes to get himself noticed. At the end of the series, he'd successfully written a script about a workplace with an annoying boss (yes…the link with the Office is apparent) that the BBC had commissioned. Now we needed to know whether or not it would be any good…
With things looking to be on the up, they're instantly brought down to earth in the first episode when the BBC opt to rip it apart and make it into the sitcom he wished to steer clear off - catchphrases, a live audience, silly wigs…all a bit "Carry On…" really. From then on Millman is doing what he must to claw back any pride and self-respect he had. The critics tear apart the sitcom, entitled "When The Whistle Blows", although with it being on primetime on BBC 1, it gets the viewing figures to stay on air…much to Millman's annoyance.
So then…In episode one, we see how the BBC have opted to change Millman's script, and although the live audience appear to love it, Millman feels he's sold out. Keith Chegwin appears in the sitcom and with full respect to him, makes an absolute fool of himself, especially when asking if the BBC is still run by "Jews and Queers"! Of course, just when you thought international-superstar Keith Chegwin was enough of a celebrity in the first episode, Orlando Bloom appears in a film that Maggie (yes, Maggie of series 1 fame) is acting as an extra in. The irony being that Bloom does his upmost to invite Maggie out for a drink, yet she refuses, despite her known 'lust' for men!
When the feedback from "When The Whistle Blows" arrives in episode two, it's labelled as simply 'appauling'. However, Andy's getting noticed in the streets and in the pub…however this begins to annoy him after getting constantly asked for the catchphrase - "Are you having a laugh?!" - so after the advice from Barry from Eastenders, he goes to a trendy wine bar, where he's briefly treated as a VIP, until David Bowie turns up. After chatting to him momentarily, Bowie bursts into song, ripping in Andy with the whole bar singing along. A bit of comedy gold for those that have watched it!
In episode three, Andy gets his chance to appear in a film, starring Daniel Radcliffe and Dame Diana Rigg. Here Radcliffe is made to seem like a sex-craved teenager, constantly chatting-up Maggie. Well, I say 'chatting-up'…he fails miserably. During the filming, Andy takes Maggie out for a meal, where he accidentally offends a mother and her disabled son. This, of course, results in an uproar from the British tabloids meaning Andy must eventually grovel to quell the outrage. Of course, that's not the end of it after he inadvertantly knocks out dwarf actor Warwick Davies during filming, and of course he receives further embarrassment from the press.
Episode four, my personal favourite, stars a large entourage of British stars, something that's nice to see in the ever increasing mass-American-sitcom-syndrome we seem to be suffering here in the UK. Chris Martin starts things off with an absolutely hilarious bit about an appeal for clean drinking water. Andy having just done his bit looks on in amazement as Martin rips apart the set, what's being talked about - "Can we get on with it please. I've gotta do AIDS, Alzeimer's and Landmines today and I wanna get back for Deal or No Deal. Besides Gwyneth's cooking drumsticks." - genius!
After that, Millman discovers he's been nominated for a BAFTA for best comedy performance. At the ceremony, TV stars such as Richard Briers, Stephen Fry and Ronnie Corbert all make appearances…Ronnie Corbert of course getting caught doing cocaine in the toilets!! Trust me, watch it, it's pure genius. Credit to Corbert and Martin for doing their parts…it's amazing what Gervais can get people to do.
Episode five features the great Sir Ian McKellen as a director in a new play that Andy has managed to get a leading role in, after opting to try his hand at theatre, just to gain some respect his the critics. Unknown to him until it's too late, he has to be part of a homosexual relationship in the play, much to his annoyance…so far that during the first night, he walks off half way through, feeling rather uncomfortable.
And finally, episode six, where they save the biggest star until last. It begins with Andy chatting to Jonathan Ross on his Friday night chat show along with Robert Lindsay. After becoming quite 'pally' with Ross, it becomes clear that he's spending less and less time with Maggie. Although they go and see a young fan of "When The Whistle Blows" in hospital, that's pretty much all he sees of her…he suddenly realises this when it seems too late…he's on his way to a meeting with, of all the people Gervais could get hold of, Robert De Niro! Millman decides to head to the hospital, and fails to show for his meeting.
Now, those that have watched this may have noticed I've totally avoided speaking about one character….Darren Lamb, Andy's agent. Played by Stephen Merchant, in this series he features far much more than in series 1, the same can be said about Barry from Eastenders. Merchant's performance is genius, side-splitting comedy, and often takes the limelight away from Gervais. He did of course win an acting award for his role…beating Gervais in the nominations funnily enough. Some genius parts include a chat with Warwick Davies, (now bare in mind that Warwick is about 4 foot tall, and Stephen about 6 foot 7!) a dinner date with Maggie that includes a 'blocked toilet', his arrival at the BAFTA's and him introducing a "Ray doll" to Andy (Ray being Andy's character's name in When The Whistle Blows), and the meeting with De Niro, and his constant smile. Funny? That's not even half as close as what he is!
Thankfully the extras, on the Extras DVD, are plentiful. As with all Gervais' stuff, there's a 'making of' style documentary which includes interviews with a number of the big stars that appear. Of course outtakes are there, a short programme entitled "The Art Of Corpsing" which is a development from the outtakes where they discuss the problem of when they start laughing, and just can't stop. And finally "Taping Nigel II" - in series 1 they included a programme on Gervais basically picking on the Editor Nigel. This time around, things have gotten a lot worse for Nigel!
You can pick the two-disc DVD up on Amazon for around £14. I got mine from Tesco's yesterday for the exact same price. If you ask me, that's an absolute steal for what is genius comedy!
After the first series, many people said Extras was 'good' but certainly not as good as The Office…after series two though many people may be saying the opposite - The Office was good, but this is great. I love it. Will Gervais and Merchant do anymore? Will they just produce a final 'one-off' show like they did with the Office? Who knows, but surely, after this great outing, they can't just leave it at that?!
as the next series arrives of extras, andy millian (ricky gervais), still a desperate man, may not have an acting career, however he now has a script for a new comedy and loads of ambition. however his useless agent (stephen merchant) is still holding him back from his dreams and only getting him extra work.
this second series of the award winning comedt, is just as funny as the first and featuring guest appearences form stars like, Orlando Bloom, ... ...Lindsay, Robert De Niro and of course Barry from Eastenders.
it is definatly a really find.
Double Disc set - Special Features
6 x Epiosde Featurettes Taping Nigel 2 The Art Of Corpsing Outtakes Widescreen 1.85:1 Anamorphic Dolby Digital Stereo Languages - English Subtitles - English SDH Region 2 / PAL / Colour Running Time 171 Minutes
if you loved series one you'll love this, infact proably more as it offers more laughs and tears.
but unfortunatly ...
punker123 03.11.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Extras - Series 2 - Complete (DVD)
Advantages: the celebs Disadvantages: that there arent more episodes!!!!
I love this programme. Some of it is so cringe worthy that you almost cant watch it but thats what makes it so funny. I love how they have someone famous in every episode and they all seem to poke fun rather than be out to make themselves look good. I think ricky and his co stars and consistently funny throughout both series but the second series definately shows the growth of the programme. I can watch each episode over and over again and still ...
josie.marie 02.08.2007
· Read full review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful Review of Extras - Series 2 - Complete (DVD)
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Advantages: Clever Scripts, Amazingly Acted, Great CGI Effects Disadvantages: There Aren't Any Extras On The DVD
of you may think that it doesn't warrant a 5 star rating, just watching the episodes ca prove you wrong. It's completely unmissable viewing, and makes sense to watch as a series. Although there are no extras on the DVD what-so-ever, it's a complete steal: 2h15 minutes of television gold for only around £8, less if you're a bargain hunter. This DVD is a must have in any Sci-Fi fan's collection, and if you're not a Sci-Fi fan it deserves a place on you shelf anyway. Because once you've watched it, there is no going back. ...
Contains strong language, racial stereotyping, drug references and use and moderate sex references
Video Category
Television
Plot
Series two of EXTRAS finds former television and film extra Andy Millman commissioned by the BBC to create and star in the sitcom 'When The Whistle Blows'.
Release details
DVD Region
DVD
Studio(s)
UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK; UNIVERSAL MUSIC OPERATIONS
Release date
26/03/2007
No of Discs
2
Catalogue No
8247343
Barcode
5050582473438
Screenwriter
Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
Languages
Main Language
English
Technical information
Special Features
Taping Nigel II - The Gimpening featurette, Outtakes, The Art of Corpsing featurette, Extras backstage featurette, Easter eggs
Aspect Ratio
16:9 Anamorphic Wide Screen
Sound
Dolby Digital
DVD Description
Series two of EXTRAS finds former television and film extra Andy Millman (Ricky Gervais) commissioned by the BBC to create and star in the sitcom 'When The Whistle Blows'. However, Andy's initial happiness with his achievement is soon quelled when he finds he has to make a lowest common denominator show in order to appeal to the broadest possible audience. Andy's sitcom has been transformed from a show that was in many ways like Gervais' groundbreaking previous show THE OFFICE into a catchphrase-driven show that's filmed in front of a studio audience. Additionally, he has been told that he has to wear large glasses and a curly perm wig. The second series of EXTRAS sees Millman attempting to adjust to fame and life in the public eye and the compromises that come with. Guest stars include Robert De Niro, Orlando Bloom, David Bowie, Coldplay's Chris Martin, Jonathan Ross, Sir Ian McKellen, and Daniel Radcliffe.
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