Extras
By Betsy Bozdech,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Office mate mines showbiz for mature, awkward laughs.
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Extras
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Based on 1 parent review
Great comedy
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What's the Story?
EXTRAS (a co-production of HBO and the BBC) follows Andy Millman's (Ricky Gervais) misadventures in showbiz. A bit player who spends more time sitting around shooting the breeze with his friend Maggie (Ashley Jensen) than he does in front of the camera, Andy is angling for his big break -- which he's probably going to have to get on his own, since his clueless agent, Darren Lamb (Office co-creator Stephen Merchant), is no help at all. So whenever he gets the chance between takes, Andy hits up big-name stars for lines in their movies, help getting his sitcom script distributed, or whatever other favor he can think of. That these celebrities play themselves -- usually with a self-mocking twist -- is one of the series' key gimmicks. Particularly memorable guest-star turns include Kate Winslet candidly advising Maggie on phone sex, Patrick Stewart enthusiastically describing his nudity-heavy script to Andy, and Orlando Bloom sending up his own pretty-boy reputation.
Is It Any Good?
The meat and potatoes of Extras are the funny but extremely socially awkward moments that Andy and Maggie are constantly stumbling into. It's usually by accident (as when they unknowingly mock a woman with cerebral palsy), but it's always with a maximum of embarrassment. No subject is taboo, from racism to disability, and the characters often do rude, selfish things (Andy berating and belittling a lonely man who wants to have dinner with him, for instance) in the name of comedy. This brand of painful humor certainly isn't for everyone, and Extras' colorful language and adult situations rule it out for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about whether they find this kind of purposely cringe-inducing humor funny. What's the point of this kind of comedy? Is it more realistic/telling than traditional sitcom humor?
How is this series like The Office? How is it different? Why do you think the guest stars wanted to participate?
Do you think the show's versions of these people are any more accurate than their "regular" public personas?
Is it OK to do and say things that are generally considered offensive in the name of comedy? When would you say TV writers have crossed the line?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 21, 2005
- Cast: Ashley Jensen, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant
- Network: HBO
- Genre: Comedy
- TV rating: TV-MA
- Last updated: August 16, 2022
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