Time to take a break from all these movies for a bit of TV. Based on the recommendation of my sister, and my love of Ricky Gervais' version of The Office, I decided to give Extras a try. The short review goes something like this: if you like The Office, you will like Extras.
Quick synopsis: there are only 12 episodes in the series. The first six deal with Ricky Gervais' life as an extra while he tries to get real acting work. Then the series changes direction for the second 6 episodes, when the character (Andy) experiences a bit of success and all that comes with it.
Extras is hilarious. It has many "Curb Your Enthusiasm"-like moments that are so funny, yet so painfully awkward, especially in the first season. The series does not shy away from any topics as fodder for comedy. There are storylines based around race, sex, and depression just to name a few.
The people around Andy create just as much of the comedy as he does. His dimwitted friend Maggie and completely inept agent often steal the spotlight. And I can't forget the best part: the guest stars. Each episode has well known actor playing a parody of themselves. These include an insecure Orlando Bloom, a bad-boy-wannabe Daniel Radcliffe, and my personal favorite, aspiring screen writer Patrick Stewart.
The series is supposedly over, although they have left the door open for doing more if they so choose. We can only hope that there might be a little more of the Andy Milllman story in store for us, but if not, Gervais will find another way to make us laugh.
Quick synopsis: there are only 12 episodes in the series. The first six deal with Ricky Gervais' life as an extra while he tries to get real acting work. Then the series changes direction for the second 6 episodes, when the character (Andy) experiences a bit of success and all that comes with it.
Extras is hilarious. It has many "Curb Your Enthusiasm"-like moments that are so funny, yet so painfully awkward, especially in the first season. The series does not shy away from any topics as fodder for comedy. There are storylines based around race, sex, and depression just to name a few.
The people around Andy create just as much of the comedy as he does. His dimwitted friend Maggie and completely inept agent often steal the spotlight. And I can't forget the best part: the guest stars. Each episode has well known actor playing a parody of themselves. These include an insecure Orlando Bloom, a bad-boy-wannabe Daniel Radcliffe, and my personal favorite, aspiring screen writer Patrick Stewart.
The series is supposedly over, although they have left the door open for doing more if they so choose. We can only hope that there might be a little more of the Andy Milllman story in store for us, but if not, Gervais will find another way to make us laugh.
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