Extras

[Peace-Phoenix]

The new series of Ricky Gervais' Extras started today. I remember watching Gervais on the 11 o'clock show before he got famous, I thought he was even better on there than Ali G. I don't think the first series of Extras was a patch on the Office, it seemed to often substitute humour for celebrity. But the new series looks like its got a lot more going for it. Orlando Bloom was hilarious as the vain, egotistical, Jonny Depp hating wannabe stud. And Barry from Eastenders stole the show as an unemployable fat saddo who tries to smuggle out all the free food. Did anyone else catch it? What did you think of the first series?

[Peace-Phoenix]

Incidentally, I was an extra once in a scene with Rhys Ifans in Vanity Fair, and the show really does come painfully close to the life of an extra: standing starry eyed, sitting in trailers all day around aloof celebrities and praying for a few seconds on screen....

[lithium]

I haven't seen it yet ... I was going to download ithttp://www.hipforums.com/forums/images/smilies/eek.gif

But I have to disagree about the first series, I thought it was brilliant. After the Office there didn't seem to be anywhere Gervais could go and ever hope to be as original again. That's what I thought anyway. But with Extras he took the humour and sort of hid it in a more complete character based drama, but it was no less funny for being so subtle... it is incredibly subtle, and the characters are far more rounded, not so much grotesques like in the Office. The man's a god. Favourite character is Stephen Merchant as the clueless manager... you feel sorry for Gervais' character, he doesn't want to drop him because he's a friend, however pathetic...

[Peace-Phoenix]

I agree Gervais had to go somewhere, and I think he's done well in Extras. I do really enjoy watching it. There will of course be comparisons with the Office because Gervais the man comes out so strongly in all of his characters. Although, as you say the characters are perhaps more rounded in this (though I would still say not as entertaining) they don't come alive in Extras as much for me, perhaps because the show is often stolen by the guest stars, who really are stars. I never really laughed out loud in the first series of Extras, the odd chuckle here and there perhaps. But the new episode had me in stitches several times, it was very well written, especially Barry from Eastenders part....

[fountains of nay]

I quite enjoy watching the odd episode of Extras.

[Cerebus]

It's ok, but all a bit too much back-slappy and "ironic" for me now. It's not a patch on the Office, but then the Office was massively overrated too, imho.

[Hippie_Girl]

Loved the first one of the new series!! Haahaa!! Oh Orlando!!!

'Scissors for hands'

[bokonon]

I thought the new episode of 'Extras' was excellent! The first series too I thought was rather excellent. I love the 'everyday humour' in Gervais' writing. Like the way the friends all have little digs at each other, take the mickey, whathaveyou. You don't really get that in mainstream sitcoms.

I suppose Will & Grace do it...But it seems that they kinda mean it! It's nice to see Ricky and his girl pal having a go and have both of them laugh at the foibles they find in each other.

And obviously, credit to "Barry From Eastenders" for being one hell of a sport!

[honeyfugle]

i thought the second episode was miles better than the first one.

[lithium]

It's genius:D I loved the agent's chat up technique ... "gotta know when to cut your losses, Barry"

[Hippie_Girl]

Haahaa!!! David Bowie was amazing in it!!! Top! Haahaa!!! So looking forward to tomorrows episode!!! haahaa!!!! LOVE IT!!

British comedy is by far the bestest!!!

[lithium]

-"Were you masturbating when I came in?"
-"Sort of, yeah. The moment just took me and I went a bit mad."

:D:D:D

[lithium]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MumizDdR-jw

[Peace-Phoenix]

Hahaha, that was the funniest bit in the episode. Once again Barry from Eastenders stole the moment....