Extras (TV series)
| Extras | |
|---|---|
| File:Extras dvd01.jpg | |
| Created by | Ricky Gervais Stephen Merchant |
| Starring | Ricky Gervais Ashley Jensen Stephen Merchant Shaun Williamson aka Barry Evans |
| Country of origin | UK |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Production | |
| Camera setup | Single camera |
| Running time | approx. 0:29 (per episode) |
| Original release | |
| Network | BBC Two |
| Release | 21 July 2005 – present |
Extras is a British television sitcom about extras working on film sets and in theatre. It is written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant, both of whom also star in the series. The series is filmed in a more traditional sitcom style than the mockumentary style used by Gervais and Merchant's previous award-winning series The Office. The series is a BBC/HBO co-production and first aired in the UK on 21 July 2005 on BBC Two. It premiered on 25 September, 2005 on HBO in the US, where it was rated TV-14, with sub rating of S and L due to some sensuality and sexual references, by Advisory Council.
The first series, consisting of six episodes, each with a different celebrity guest star, was released on DVD in the UK on 31 October, 2005. When the series was first broadcast in the UK, the episode featuring Ben Stiller was broadcast first, followed by the Ross Kemp and Vinnie Jones episode the following week. When the series was repeated over the Christmas holiday 2005, the episodes were returned to their intended order, with Ross Kemp first, followed by Stiller. The DVD also preserves this same order.
Filming for the second series began in the second week of June 2006, with the first episode of the second series premiering in the UK on BBC Two on 14 September, 2006.
Most episodes begin with a cold open on a short segment from the production on which Andy and Maggie are working, followed by a fade into the white Extras logo on a black background without an opening credits theme tune. Each episode ends with Cat Stevens's Tea for the Tillerman over the closing credits, a track from his 1970 album of the same name. Chris Martin sings Tea for the Tillerman at the end of episode 2.4.
Synopsis
The show follows Andy Millman and his friend Maggie Jacobs as they work as extras on film sets and in theatre. Each episode (except number 4) is based around a different film with Andy and Maggie playing extras. Andy tends to spend a lot of his time looking for ways to get a speaking role, while Maggie is more content with looking among the cast and crew for a boyfriend. Darren Lamb is Andy's agent, who fails to procure Andy substantial roles. Every episode has at least one guest star (a television/film celebrity), and these guest stars play what Gervais and Merchant have referred to as "twisted" versions of themselves.
Cast / Characters
Main cast
- Andy used to work in a bank, but left to pursue his life-long dream of becoming an actor. Sadly, he hasn't made it yet, and he is forced to scrape a living as an extra on the sets of various film and television productions. Being around far more successful performers has, not unnaturally, made him rather cynical and bitter about the whole process. Still, he gives it his best shot, though he usually fails in his attempts to improve his lot - partly due to his agent's utter incompetence, partly due to events and people beyond his control, but mostly due to his own ability to step right in it and then dig a hole for himself when trying to extricate himself. As of the end of series 1 Andy has managed to get his sit-com made by the BBC. Although at first this is a serious boost to his morale, he soon sinks even lower into depression when his show is tampered with and becomes the laughing stock of the country, relying on catchphrases and silly props to get laughs.
- Maggie is Andy's best friend and fellow extra. Maggie is a genuinely sweet, well-meaning Scottish soul, who only wants to help. Unfortunately, her general social incompetence and complete lack of any sort of internal censor means that she is more likely to say precisely the wrong thing to the wrong person at exactly the wrong time, despite her lack of malicious intent - which usually means that she is just as likely to humilate Andy as help him. Maggie is constantly on the lookout for Mr. Right, but her frequent attempts are usually frustrated quite spectacularly. When she isn't working as an extra, she has a job working in a pub.
Recurring cast
- Stephen Merchant as Darren Lamb (referred to in the credits as "Agent")
- Darren Lamb is literally the worst agent in the history of acting. Incapable of breaking an act, his usual negotiating tactic is to agree with whatever anyone else says, or, more likely, suggest someone other than his client for the part. He is very good at deducting his 12.5% commission, however. His skill at his profession can be summed up by the fact that he once left his office phone unplugged for two days without noticing. He doesn't watch Andy's sitcom, much to Andy's annoyance.
- Shaun Williamson as Barry (Himself)
- Shaun Williamson plays himself as one of Darren's clients. He used to play Barry Evans on the popular British soap opera EastEnders, but left to pursue a multi-million pound contract elsewhere. As Darren is his agent, this was a spectacular failure, and the most recent job his agent has managed to secure for him is changing a lightbulb. It says a lot about Shaun's career prospects that even his own agent doesn't know his real name, but instead calls him "Barry from EastEnders". He is, quite naturally, very depressed about his life.
- Shaun Pye as Greg
- Greg is a fellow extra. Unlike Andy, he has often secured a line in various productions; as a result, he possesses an extremely high opinion of himself and is extremely belittling to Andy and his fellow extras. Underneath this, he is extremely petty, jealous and snide - probably because he wouldn't be doing so well if it weren't for the support given by his wealthy parents.
Guest stars
Each week saw one celebrity guest star who was usually the star of the production in which Andy and Maggie are working. These celebrities usually played an exaggerated or inverted parody of their famous public personas.
Episode guide (series one)
| # | Episode | Celebrity guest star(s) | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Episode 1.1" | Ben Stiller | July 21, 2005 | |
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This episode is based around a film about the life of Goran, an Eastern European man whose wife and son died in the Balkans War. It is being directed by Ben Stiller, with Andy and Maggie playing extras in the film. Andy attempts to get a speaking part by befriending Goran and, after giving him a £15 Topshop voucher, Goran gets him a line. However, Andy then gets in an argument with Ben and is kicked off the set. Maggie, meanwhile, takes an interest in one of the crew. Things appear to be going well later on at a party both of them attend, but it all falls apart when Maggie notices he has one leg shorter than the other. | ||||
| 2 | "Episode 1.2" | Ross Kemp & Vinnie Jones | July 28, 2005 | |
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Andy works on a period drama and is approached by Ross Kemp, who is also acting in the film. Kemp claims he has had SAS training and is as "hard" as the characters he plays on-screen. This episode introduces Andy's incompetent agent Darren (played by Merchant), who consistently fails to get him any work. Kemp's old EastEnders co-star Shaun Williamson (who played Barry Evans) shares the same agent, but the last paid work Darren got for him was changing a lightbulb. Back on set, there are rumours that Vinnie Jones is working nearby and looking for a fight with Kemp. Meanwhile, Maggie pursues a "dashing" actor on set, goes out to dinner with him and takes him home. They sleep together, but her sexual bliss is interrupted when he complains that she is "like a dead horse." The episode ends with Jones confronting Kemp, who denies that he said anything. After this embarrassment, he admits to Andy that none of his claims were true. | ||||
| 3 | "Episode 1.3" | Kate Winslet | August 4, 2005 | |
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Working as extras on the set of a World War II Holocaust film, Andy and Maggie meet the star, Kate Winslet. Maggie is currently involved in a three-week relationship with a set assistant who wants her to talk dirty with him over the phone. Maggie has no idea what to say but is given advice by Kate. On his finding this out, Maggie gets dumped by her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Andy is also romantically distracted and takes a liking to a Catholic extra. He claims also to be Catholic in order to get closer to her; however, when invited to a "get-together" with her and "some friends", his transparent attempt to fit in is revealed. | ||||
| 4 | "Episode 1.4" | Les Dennis | August 11, 2005 | |
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This episode is set around the pantomime Aladdin in Guildford, which stars Les Dennis. Andy manages to get a speaking part as the Genie (since John Thomson fluffed the audition and Christopher Biggins is busy). Les Dennis is currently engaged to a 26 year old woman named Simone. Dennis is on the verge of a mental breakdown and, after discovering Simone cheating with a stagehand, stops in the middle of the first night of the panto. When she comes to visit, Maggie bumps into an old friend whose father, played to camp excess by Gerard Kelly, is directing the play. Maggie attends the girl's birthday party (the only other guests there are family) but is asked to leave after she suggests to her friend that she stops her father from running her life, and accusing the elderly family friends of being like "the cast of Last of the Summer Wine". | ||||
| 5 | "Episode 1.5" | Samuel L. Jackson | August 18, 2005 | |
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On the set of a police thriller starring Samuel L. Jackson as a maverick American cop in the UK, Andy eventually gets a line with the star and gets to say "Ten to one he's going to pick Sgt. Harris again!" Andy uses lies and excuses to shake off befriending a dullard extra. The man's insistence causes Andy to cave in and have dinner with him. He finally snaps when the dullard presents him with two tickets for the Ben Elton musical We Will Rock You. Maggie is attracted to the young black actor Danny. Despite some initial racial misunderstandings, she successfully asks him out on a date. All seems to be going well, until she goes too far in trying to smooth over racial differences by simulating sex with a gollywog doll and a Barbie. When she chats with Samuel L. Jackson on set the day after, she mistakes him for Laurence Fishburne. Andy tries to save the ailing conversation, and, when this fails, Andy is asked to leave the set (forfeiting his line with Samuel L. Jackson). | ||||
| 6 | "Episode 1.6" | Patrick Stewart | August 25, 2005 | |
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Both Andy and Maggie are working on a production of Shakespeare's The Tempest alongside Patrick Stewart. Eager to get his self-penned sitcom script noticed, he gives a copy to Patrick Stewart who tells him about his own self-penned film starring himself, which is basically just an hour and a half of women with their clothes falling off all the time. Patrick agrees to circulate the script, and BBC Comedy are interested and invite Andy for a meeting. During the meeting, Andy is asked to rewrite his script alongside an extremely camp man called Damon, with a view to a pilot episode being filmed. While writing the script, Maggie pops in while Damon is leaving to get some coffee, and Andy talks about how Damon is basically a stereotypical gay and how it gets on his nerves a little. Maggie leaves and tells Damon that Andy is finding his campness annoying, which greatly insults Damon. Andy is called in to the BBC to talk about this and finds out that Maggie told Damon his feelings about him; Damon is upset with him over his apparently homophobic attitude, and the producer (who reveals that he is also gay) warns Andy that there is a chance the plug could be pulled on the pilot. Andy goes to see Maggie and is furious with her for telling Damon that he irritates him and that her attempts to help could demolish what might be his big break. He tells her that she needs to sort out her own life before interfering with his, and then storms away. Maggie is shaken, and this simply reinforces feelings she is already having about her grotty lifestyle. She cleans up her flat, removes her toys and posters, and straightens her hair. At the BBC, Andy gives his sincerest apologies to Damon, and stresses he is not homophobic. Damon accepts his apology, and the pilot is back on. Maggie leaves the set of yet another job to find Andy with Patrick Stewart on his mobile phone. Stewart tells Maggie that Andy is sorry and wants to be friends again. He starts to ask Maggie to star in his film when Andy quickly cuts him off. The two reconcile and all is well again. | ||||
Episode guide (series two)
| # | Episode | Celebrity guest star(s) | Original airdate | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | "Episode 2.1" | Orlando Bloom, Sophia Myles & Keith Chegwin | September 14, 2006 | |
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Andy's new sitcom is filmed in front of a live audience, whilst Maggie still performs as an extra in a film with Orlando Bloom. Bloom portrays himself as obsessed by his own good looks, and bitter towards Johnny Depp, whom he claims the women ignore. To prove himself, Orlando ends up kissing Maggie, an act she describes as not being her "cup of tea". The audience find the heavily-altered sitcom a success, even though Andy, forced to wear glasses and a wig, feels like he has sold out. This episode seems to attack the current state of British comedy, with jibes at Lenny Henry and Little Britain, and comedy 'catchphrases' in general. "Barry from EastEnders" features in the episode, unsuccessfully hoping to stand in if Andy drops out. At one point, he is caught stealing refreshments and hiding them down his tracksuit. Keith Chegwin also stars, but his normal bubbly personality is masked by a surprising and uncharacteristic level of bigotry. | ||||
| 8 | "Episode 2.2" | David Bowie | September 21, 2006 | |
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Andy finds out the critical response for When the Whistle Blows by the newspapers is almost entirely negative. The best response was in The Telegraph as they didn't review it. He gets encouragement from the public as he is recognised in the street by a homeless man, and later by his biggest fan in the pub. He isn't very eager to repeat lines from the show, and grimaces at the prospect. Andy and his friends visits a city bar, where he is allowed into the VIP area only to be asked to leave seconds later when David Bowie arrives. After facing some derision from fellow actor Greg, he tries to sit with Bowie, who proceeds to make up a song ridiculing Andy. The episode ends with Andy returning to the pub to be surrounded by genuine fans. | ||||
| 9 | "Episode 2.3" | Daniel Radcliffe, Warwick Davis & Diana Rigg | September 28, 2006 | |
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Andy receives a large offer for a bit part in a new film starring Daniel Radcliffe. During filming he takes Maggie out for a meal, offending the mother of a disabled teenager in a restaurant. This begins an increasingly hysterical reaction in the British media, who proceed to take his comments out of context. Andy and Darren manage to quell the anger, although it doesn't last long, as Andy inadvertently kicks Warwick Davis, leading to further accusations. Daniel Radcliffe appears as a highly sexed teenager trying to seduce every woman he meets, including Maggie and Warwick Davis's fiancee. | ||||
| 10 | "Episode 2.4" | Chris Martin, Ronnie Corbett, Richard Briers, Moira Stuart, Davina McCall, Patricia Potter & Stephen Fry | October 5, 2006 | |
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Andy makes a charity video appeal and meets Chris Martin from Coldplay. Chris plays himself as a shameless self-promoter interested only in advertising his Greatest Hits album. When he recognises Andy, Chris suggests making a cameo on When the Whistle Blows and appears to sing and play one of his songs. Despite receiving angry reviews at the shameless appearance of a celebrity on his sitcom Andy is nominated for a BAFTA for Best Comedy Performance. A toy manufacturer is also interested in making a doll of Ray, Andy's character from the sitcom. At the BAFTA award ceremony, Andy bumps into an old girlfriend, Patricia Potter. Andy later reveals to Maggie that he ended his relationship with Patricia because he found her boring and unwittingly reveals he lost his virginity at the age of 28. During Richard Briers' eulogy of a dead drama producer, Darren arrives with the prototype of the Ray doll but accidentally activates it. The doll loops with the catchphrase "Are you having a laugh? Is he having a laugh?". Briers comes off the stage, destroys the doll and proclaims it "tacky shit", for which he receives a standing ovation. Maggie then meets Patricia in the toilet and reveals the real reason Andy broke up with her. Stephen Fry wins the Best Comedy Performance and derides Andy of his use of laughter tracks, silly wigs and catchphrases. Andy, Darren and Ronnie Corbett are banned from future BAFTA award shows after they are found in a toilet cubicle in which Corbett is caught snorting drugs. Patricia reveals during her award acceptance speech to the audience when Andy lost his virginity. Moira Stuart is arrested for dealing drugs. | ||||
| 11 | "Episode 2.5" | Sir Ian McKellen, Germaine Greer, Mark Kermode & Mark Lawson | October 12, 2006 | |
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With the critical reaction to his sit-com getting more scathing, Andy is desperate for any role to show his credibility. He is recommended to Ian McKellen, and is cast in a play about a homosexual relationship. With his homophobic school friends appearing on the scene, and the necessity to kiss another man in the script, he feels increasingly uncomfortable to the point of leaving the play before completing the first performance. Darren Lamb asks Maggie on a date with disastrous consequences. | ||||
| 12 | "Episode 2.6" | Jonathan Ross, Robert Lindsay & Robert De Niro | October 19, 2006 | |
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Andy appears on the Friday Night with Jonathan Ross show, and becomes close friends with Ross (in reality, Ricky Gervais is friends with Ross, having actually appeared on the show four times to date). Increasingly convinced that he can outgrow his sitcom and agent, Andy becomes detached from his friends in his persuit of meeting famous people. Despite trying his best to weasel out of it, he agrees to visit a boy being treating for cancer, in hospital. Robert Lindsay shows up at the hospital, having been disgruntled that the boy asked for a visit from Andy, and not himself. Lindsay becomes irate that the boy doesn't like "My Family", and has never heard of his older comedy work. Andy determines to fire Darren Lamb for his incompetence, until Darren tells Andy he has arranged a meeting with Robert De Niro. The meeting clashes with his and Maggie's second visit to the sick boy, and he cancels the visit, before guilt (and doubt at the truth of Darren's promises) forces him to change his mind back, at the apparent cost of meeting his idol, De Niro. Ultimately he is apparently able to meet with De Niro anyway, and presumably he keeps Darren as his agent. | ||||
Influences
The HBO series The Larry Sanders Show is a big influence: It also had celebrities guests star as exaggerated versions of themselves, mocking their public images. In addition, TLSS showed what happens behind-the-scenes of producing a talk show; Extras does the same for film and drama.
The HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm is another influence, and Gervais has said as much in interviews. That show follows the everyday life of Seinfeld co-creator Larry David - the comedy often coming from friction that develops between David and others. These others often include celebrity guests like Ted Danson, David Schwimmer and Ben Stiller (who has appeared as himself in The Larry Sanders Show, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Extras).
Andy seems to view comedy precisely as Gervais does. A lot of what he protests against is a nod to other comedy shows, like Little Britain, where catchphrases, a laughter track, costumes and wigs are key elements in producing humour.
When The Whistle Blows
When the Whistle Blows is the fictional sitcom in Extras created, co-written and starring Gervais' character Andy Millman. It was first mentioned in the series one episode "Kate Winslet", as a script that Andy had written and given to his agent (who neglected to read it). The script was turned into a sitcom on BBC2 on the first season's finale, "Patrick Stewart". Excerpts from the sitcom are featured in the second season, and so far all of Andy's plotlines have revolved around his experiences with the show.
The television show was picked up after Andy gave the script to Patrick Stewart, whose fictional production company, Picard Productions, sent it on to the BBC. It is unknown whether the production company is involved with the sitcom beyond that.
It is set in a factory in Wigan, mainly in the canteen. The humour is broad and lowbrow in the manner of, for example, Are You Being Served? or Dinnerladies, in striking contrast to Gervais' real sitcom The Office. It has been suggested that the inclusion of studio audiences/canned laughter, and the reliance on funny wigs, costumes and catchphrases for laughs is a comment on recent comedy hits such as Little Britain. As further evidence, much to his dismay, many people that Andy sees at the recording of the pilot are wearing T-shirts displaying various comedy catchphrases like "Wassup", "It's Chico Time", "I'm a lady", "Am I bovvered?" and "Garlic bread?"
The show is apparently unpopular with reviewers but popular with the public. Andy is deeply unhappy with it, feeling that too many people have interfered with his original ideas in the hunt for ratings. Originally, it appears that he set out to do a comedy similar to the Office, with true to life characters in a work environment. He originally stipulates that he wants it to be without a laughter track and not in front of a studio audience, and to be show aimed at people with a sense of humour that will make them think. Of course, the show has turned out to be the opposite of what he originally wanted.
When the Whistle Blows is a good example of a Show-within-a-show.
Characters
Ray Stokes: Ray is a manager, played by Andy Millman who is in turn played by Ricky Gervais. His catchphrase is an incredulous "Are you having a laugh!? Is he having a laugh?". The character was based on a man who Andy worked for before deciding to pursue acting full time, and originally, his catchphrase was merely something Andy wrote in because it was something the real Ray used to say. To play the part of Ray, Andy wears oversized glasses and a curly black wig (to add to the 'hilarity'), although the real Ray looked nothing at all like that. His employees seem to laugh at his jokes and say 'Oh, Mr Stokes' a lot.
Rita: Rita is played by Liza Tarbuck. She appears to be the centre straight character of the show. She is a single mother with a daughter.
Gobbler: Gobbler is the least intelligent character on the show, played by Andrew Buckley. His inability to understand his co-workers' jokes often prompts his catchphrase, "I don't get it!". He is socially oblivious and is often teased by his co-workers. He appears to have a good relationship with Kimberley. He was in charge of the traditional Japanese entertainment when Japanese investors came to visit, and dressed up in stereotypical Chinese costume with Kimberley (complete with sticky tape pulling their eyes), and sang a song called 'Ching Chang Chinaman', to which the Japanese investors reacted with "Is he having a laugh?"
Kimberley: Kimberley is played by Sarah Moyle, and appears to be an affectionate sort of person who has a lot of expository dialogue.
Brains: Played by Jamie Chapman, Brains is the stereotypical smart one of the group, sporting glasses and a snobbish voice. He over-explains a joke to Gobbler in the pilot.
Keith: Keith is played by TV presenter Keith Chegwin. His name was originally Alfie, but a frustrated Andy changed it when Keith (the actor) became confused at being given an alias to act with. Keith confides in Andy 'Sometimes, I don't know who's talking to who'. Keith, the character, is always late to work. In the pilot episode of When the Whistle Blows his sister died and he attended her funeral causing him to have a legitimate reason to be late for once.
External links
- Extras at BBC Comedy
- Extras at RickyGervais.com
- Extras at British Sitcom Guide
- Extras guide at TV.com
- Extras at IMDb
- Extras at the TV IV wiki