Extras: Season 2 Episode 1
Ricky Gervais’s comedy series Extras made a welcome return to British TV screens on Thursday 14th September. The series follows the misadventures of Andy Millman and Maggie Jacobs, two would-be actors who despite their best efforts can’t seem to rise above the level of extra.
Or can they? The end of last season saw Andy sell the idea for a sitcom to the BBC and this episode picks up pretty much where we left off, with the first episode of When the Whistle Blows about to be filmed in front of a live studio audience.
Yet things are not as bright as they may seem for Andy. The BBC wants alterations to his work of comic genius to broaden its appeal and then there are last minute cast changes. There are shades of Gervais’s own problems with the BBC here, over what channel the show would air on. They wanted the mass appeal of BBC1, he refused to do a second series unless they showed it on the more ‘arty’ BBC2, comparing appearing on BBC1 to being a door to door salesman. Ricky won but he had the success of The Office behind him,. Andy’s not so lucky. Parallel to this we get to see Maggie, still working as an extra this time on a legal romcom starring Orlando Bloom.
Ricky Gervais is on fine form as Andy torn between success and his principles and the wonderful Ashley Jensen shines as Maggie. How can you not love a woman who can’t see the appeal of Mr Bloom?
