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While many claimed that Extras (the eagerly anticipated follow up to the phenomenal cult of The Office several years earlier) was just as good - if not better - than the original, it was simply just wishful thinking.
Extras: Series One, put simply, just wasn't that good. It took far to long to get past the fact that Andy Millman wasn't
David Brent, and with only a 6 episode run - there was little you could
invest in the characters. It really rode on the success of it's
creators, only getting interesting by episode five.
Thankfully,
Series 2 is a return to form. The show finally finds it's feet,
deciding on what style of show it is (Series One seemed to busy trying
to be new, while keeping elements of The Office
which just didn't work), with a multitude of genuine laughs to be had -
and not all of them from Gervais' trademark awkwardness. The
second series picks up from where we left Millman, with his long mooted
TV pilot finally getting the go ahead - with setbacks. It seems that
Andy's comedy has been watered down into appeal to the lowest common
denominator, with cheesy wigs and catchphrases, leaving Andy in a
pickle. Fame or Credibility? Merchant and Gervais have upped the
sitcom aspect of the show, with plenty more 'Joke Jokes' and scenes
weaved throughout the six episodes. Thankfully, this injection of style
gives Extras it's own
persona, allowing for the viewer to connect to the characters moreso.
Merchant's on-screen role as the Goggle-Eyed agent is upped throughout
Series 2, and is one of the shows strongest comic improvements. There's
plenty of slapstick, idiotic word play and character interaction (that
wouldn't be out of place in a US based sitcom). The celebrity
cameos this time around are also top notch. Coldplay lead
singer Chris Martin's turn as an arrogant rock star version of
himself is hilarious. At one point, while filming a "Make Poverty
History" commercial, suggesting that the starving children in the
background should be seen holding a copy of "Coldplay's Greatest Hits"
album. Harry Potter fans will find a chuckle with Daniel Radcliffe's
appearance as a horny teen, while Robert DeNiro is somewhat awkward and
under used. But the big kudos must go to David Bowie and Sir Ian
McKellin. Both are absolute standouts in their respective episodes.
Bowie whips out an offensive tune directed at Millman ("Chubby little
fatman, What a Tubby Loser"), while McKellin's suggested acting
techniques to Millman are nothing short of sublime comedic acting. Gervais has suggested that there will be one final "Special" of Extras before the show is put out to pasture (similar to what the creators did with The Office),
but I get the feeling that people aren't exactly going to be distraught
without the adventures of Andy Millman. Perhaps their next project will
work better now that people have had time to get David Brent out of
their minds. There is a lot to like about Series 2 of Extras, it is very funny. Extremely funny in fact. It's nowhere near the quality of The Office, however, it absolutely shit-cans it in over the woeful first series of Extras. A happy medium you could say. EXTRAS
When the first series was released, the Special Features disc was the best thing on offer. The second time around, the show is a great deal better - with the Extras of Extras just as entertaining. You could happily release this material on it's own and you could sell copies in droves. There
is yet another fantastic interview with the show's creators and cast
(it's not simply a fluff piece, but a genuinely interesting and
entertaining insight into the shows creation), some great bloopers and
deleted sequences, and a great little featurette on the art of
"Corpsing" (what happens when the cast get the giggles on set). However,
what makes this Special Features disc is the lengthy second installment
in the "Taping Nigel" series (which became a cult hit on the first
Series). Yep, it's simply 30 odd minutes of the various ways Gervais
sticky taped/bullied Extras' editor, Nigel. It is laugh out loud stuff...well, it is if you're not the one being tortured with tape!
Conclusion:
Movie 85% Extras: 90%
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