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Extras : Complete BBC Series 2 [2005]


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Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review

Attracting yet more star names, while wisely moving the narrative on, the second series of Extras really finds the show maturing nicely, and unsurprisingly, cleaned up more awards in the process.

That said, it remains a far more divisive programme than its forerunner, The Office. Written by, directed and featuring Stephen Merchant and Ricky Gervais, its appeal is more concentrated and less broad, following Andy Millman on his progression from background artist to his own TV show. At times, for a programme frequently billed as a comedy, there’s a melancholy tone, although that’s not to say it doesn’t deliver its fair share of laughs in the process.

Many of those laughs are oiled by the seemingly never-ending conveyor belt of big names who take part in the show. Extras’s first season attracted the likes of Kate Winslet and Samuel L Jackson, but this time, the likes of Daniel Radcliffe, Sir Ian McKellen and David Bowie are quick to join in. There’s, er, Barry from EastEnders, too, who adds to the fun.

And fun is, ultimately, what Extras serves up, albeit laced with a depth and occasional bout on introspectiveness. As with the first season, it’s Ashley Jensen who steals the show from underneath Extras’ cavalcade of star names, with a terrific portrayal of Maggie Jacobs.

Yet this second series feels and is superior to the first, and already, its creators have announced that they’re putting the brakes on the show, save for one final special to sign off with. And it’ll be sad when it all ends. For while Extras takes a little time to get to love, it’s likely to be held in similar regard to the aforementioned The Office in the years to come. --Jon Foster

Editorial
Synopsis

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.

Quality!
Review date: 2008-01-25 Rating: 10 out of 10

Unlike O Khan, I totally get this and it's quality entertainment. Keep 'em coming Ricky.

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Reviews


Great!
Review date: 2008-01-17 Rating: 8 out of 10

The second series of Extras is brilliant, playing on embarrassing situations very well. The only bad side is that you do see that Ricky Gervais has only one trick up his sleeve. Great though!

Ricky And Stephen Strike Gold Again
Review date: 2008-01-05 Rating: 10 out of 10

I am a huge fan of Ricky Gervais's work including the Office, his live shows and of course the Extras. Series 1 was brilliant, the great thing with the Office and Extras is, unlike most comedy prgrammes, they can be watched over again.

It's intelligent in the way it plays different dynamics with the characters with certain people of higher or lower status, the extrememly awkward moments Rickys character Andy Millman gets himself into are hilarious, and how he makes it so much worse for himself by back tracking. Ricky's acting in these situations and the way he presents himself is genius. The celebrity guest stars in the programme are shown as bizarre self indulgent individuals which adds a real charm to the show.

Does have a good special features second disc, including "The Taping Of Nigel 2: The Gimpening" An addition the Extras series 1 special feature " The Taping Of Nigel" Which shows the programmes editor being tormented by a surprisingly nasty side to Ricky as he sellotapes the poor guys face into different animal appearences. Although i did feel sorry for "Nigel" i have to admit i did laugh at loud a few times. But the way Ricky presents it, it is sort of in good taste, also Nigel does say that part of him is proud of being apart of it.

Really is worth a watch even if you didnt pariculary like the office.



Horrific! A demonstration of the worst human quality
Review date: 2007-12-18 Rating: 2 out of 10

Ricky Gervais owes the whole Nation an Apology. Not for his comedy, but for the abusive way that he treats his fellow worker as evident in the "Special Features" of Extras 2nd series. I am suprised that the constant physical and verbal abuse that both he and on occasions Jonathan Ross exhibit on the said man are included as "Entertainment"? This behaviour demonsrates the worst qualities in human beings. You will notice in the scenes that staff and co-actors are standing in shock in the background, frozen to the spot, fearing for their own jobs, knowing that if they interfere they may not get a scene or be in the next series. They don`t want to upset Ricky. Pitiful. They should be ashamed of themselves. Just like the Bullies in School playgrounds and workplaces.
I was looking forward to watching Extras having been a fan of the Office and being impressed by the first series of Extras on TV.
I had believed that Ricky Gervais to be a humble man but having witnessed his true colours I will never be able to picture him as that guy who is the doormat and life`s underdog that he so keenly displays. Instead I will just see the Rich, abusive, Bully that he really is.

the comedy of genius
Review date: 2007-11-09 Rating: 10 out of 10

I believe Johnny Vegas said that Ricky Gervais would be a one-hit wonder (with 'The Office'), and indeed it must have been hard to follow that unexpected but enormous success. The first series of 'Extras' did it brilliantly, and it's interesting that the fame of 'The Office', and the fact that so many people found it fresh and original, must have played its part - because 'Extras' is of course based on the premise that very famous actors and screen stars would agree to take part and play along with Gervais's unconventional humour. In series 1 there were Ben Stiller and Samuel Jackson, among others. Series 2 ups the ante, if that's possible - there are marvellous turns from Sir Ian McKellan, Robert de Niro, David Bowie, Dame Diana Rigg, Daniel Ratcliffe, Ronnie Corbett, Richard Briers and Chris Martin but also an unexpectedly memorable appearance by Keith Chegwin, rather as Les Dennis appeared in the first series. Throughout there is the touchingly dim presence of Andy Millman's friend, Maggie (Ashley Jensen, who is wonderful) and in series 2 much more of Sean Williamson ('Barry from East Enders'). Stephen Merchant, Gervais's collaborator, hardly appeared onscreen in 'The Office; but here he is a major player, and a major plus, as the agent from hell. There is the usual mixture of really sharp jokes, excellent ensemble playing and cringe-making situations (Merchant says in the commentary that comes with the set that there's one scene, involving an inefficient WC and an egg whisk, which his parents still will not watch). The additional features, outtakes involving corpsing and, particularly, material about how the series was made, are a big bonus. I first saw Gervais on the 11 O'Clock Show, when I thought he was awful. There's no doubt in my mind now that he has a most original and fresh comic wit, and though he is not an actor as such, he is marvellous in front of the camera as Andy Millman, just as he was as David Brent. This is comic gold, just as enjoyable as 'The Office' but presenting a quite different series of situations and main characters. It's startlingly good and very enjoyable.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
David Bowie
Stephen Merchant
Ricky Gervais
Robert De Nero

Creators:
Ricky Gervais (Primary Contributor)
Stephen Merchant (Primary Contributor)

Recording label: Universal Pictures Video
Manufacturer: Universal Pictures Video
EAN: 5050582473438
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 2
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2007-03-26
Number of discs: 2
Aspect ratio: 1.78:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Running time: 175 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2005-09-25
Language: English (Unknown)
Language: English (Original Language)

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