SERIES FINALE: Ricky Gervais’ “Extras”

Ricky Gervais in Extras on HBOGoodbye Little Fat Man… (ahem) little fat man, pug-nosed face… 

Consider that a David Bowie musical farewell to Ricky Gervais and the comedy series Extras, wrapping on HBO tonight with an 80-minute film special. (In the UK, this is being called the “Christmas Special,” and will air December 27).

How has film extra Andy Millman (Gervais) handled his newfound fame on a dreadful sitcom? Can Darren (co-creator Stephen Merchant) halt his stupidity — if only for a moment — to get Andy the professional regard he feels he so richly deserves? And what becomes of Maggie’s (Ashley Jensen) career — and stunted life?

Watch the Extras Series Finale trailer

Stphen Merchant and Ricky Gervais in ExtrasGervais and Merchant will provide the answers. And, in our opinion, there are no wrong ones. Extras could end with no final word or resolution, and still be the most consistently funny HBO series of the past three years (sorry, Curb Your Enthusiasm). It’s both a snicker and a smack in the face to the art of celebrity and Gervais’ sad wit translates extremely well here in the U.S. And I can’t think of anyone who says “oh, for fuck’s sake” better… 

There’s gotta be more to life than shrieking “Izze ‘aving a laff?!” while wearing a bad wig and giant glasses. Isn’t there?

For fun, here’s a list of stars who’ve appeared in the short, 12-episode life of Extras — all currently available on HBO On Demand:
1: Kate Winslet
2: Ben Stiller
3: Ross Kemp, Vinnie Jones
4: Samuel L. Jackson
5: Les Dennis
6: Patrick Stewart (”so you’ve never seen Star Trek?… )
7: Orlando Bloom
8: David Bowie (”the little man who sold his soul… “)
9: Daniel Radcliffe, Warwick Davis, Diana Rigg
10: Chris Martin
11: Ian McKellen
12: Robert De Niro, Robert Lindsay

What’s your opinion of Extras? Have a favorite episode? TELL US

Like this post? DIGG IT!

Other Posts of Interest

4 Comments

  1. Comment by krish on December 19, 2007 6:22 pm

    series 2
    episode 4 (10) has ronnie corbet and stephen fry

    episode 6 (12) also has johnathon ross

  2. Comment by Norm S. on December 21, 2007 12:25 am

    Krish-

    Thanks for the addition. You’ll have to excuse my American sensibilities for having skipped these popular U.K. names.

    (By the way, Stephen Fry’s fiction book, Making History, is one of my favorites.)

    -Norm S.

  3. Pingback by warwick davis extras on March 17, 2008 5:52 pm

    […] we present links to a few of our favorite finds ?????????????????www.quickstopentertainment.comSERIES FINALE: Ricky Gervais?? ???Extras???SERIES FINALE: Ricky Gervais?? ???Extras??? Goodbye Little Fat Man?? ahem little fat man, pug-nosed […]

  4. Pingback by » Review Roundup: GHOST TOWN, LAKEVIEW TERRACE >> Meet In the Lobby -- Movie News And Your Views on September 19, 2008 11:56 pm

    […] this is Ricky Gervais’ time, so if you’re a fan of his from BBC’s The Office or HBO’s Extras, jump on and enjoy. In Ghost Town, he plays a tailor-made role that demands his dry, snooty, […]

Leave a comment