"Extras" is a British situation comedy created by Ricky Gervais, famous for creating "The Office", a British production that the American "Office" is based on.
Now showing on HBO, "Extras" tells the story of an actor who has been relegated to playing as an extra, typically with no speaking parts, and his struggle to make it in the rough and tumble world of BBC television.
In the first season, we are treated to Gervais' character arguing with other extras as to whether or not they had ever actually said a line during a show. The holy grail for these marginal actors is to get a speaking part--any extra who gets it is sure to lord it over the other extras.
Ultimately, Gervais character writes a thick-headed sitcom full of low humor and catchphrases, and the BBC buys it and casts Gervais as the lead character, complete with stupid catch phrase, fright wig and owl-eye glasses-because the producers insist they make him "funnier".
The hallmark of this show is feature appearances by famous celebrities, who unfailingly act like complete idiots--Orlando Bloom is obsessed with being hotter than Johnny Depp; Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) is an oversexed teen hitting on all females in range; Ian McKellan (Gandalf from LOTR) explains his acting method in a bit that is reminiscent of the "this amplifier goes up to 11" bit in Spinal Tap. One of the funniest appearances is by Patrick Stewart, who makes Star Trek references to Brits unfamiliar with the show, and whose pet project has himself playing a man endowed with superpowers that allow him to make women's clothes fall off.
Many of the actors are also British TV actors who Americans may or may not be familiar with, but they all parody themselves mercilessly.
Surrounding Gervais is a supporting cast that includes a very clueless platonic girlfriend, an astoundingly inept agent, and various other extras who are hugely jealous of Gervais (albeit sellout) success.
Definitely worth a watch, and if you have HBO on demand you can look up old episodes to catch up.
Now showing on HBO, "Extras" tells the story of an actor who has been relegated to playing as an extra, typically with no speaking parts, and his struggle to make it in the rough and tumble world of BBC television.
In the first season, we are treated to Gervais' character arguing with other extras as to whether or not they had ever actually said a line during a show. The holy grail for these marginal actors is to get a speaking part--any extra who gets it is sure to lord it over the other extras.
Ultimately, Gervais character writes a thick-headed sitcom full of low humor and catchphrases, and the BBC buys it and casts Gervais as the lead character, complete with stupid catch phrase, fright wig and owl-eye glasses-because the producers insist they make him "funnier".
The hallmark of this show is feature appearances by famous celebrities, who unfailingly act like complete idiots--Orlando Bloom is obsessed with being hotter than Johnny Depp; Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) is an oversexed teen hitting on all females in range; Ian McKellan (Gandalf from LOTR) explains his acting method in a bit that is reminiscent of the "this amplifier goes up to 11" bit in Spinal Tap. One of the funniest appearances is by Patrick Stewart, who makes Star Trek references to Brits unfamiliar with the show, and whose pet project has himself playing a man endowed with superpowers that allow him to make women's clothes fall off.
Many of the actors are also British TV actors who Americans may or may not be familiar with, but they all parody themselves mercilessly.
Surrounding Gervais is a supporting cast that includes a very clueless platonic girlfriend, an astoundingly inept agent, and various other extras who are hugely jealous of Gervais (albeit sellout) success.
Definitely worth a watch, and if you have HBO on demand you can look up old episodes to catch up.