Are ya havin’ a laugh? Is he havin’ a laugh?
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- March
- 20
I just saw this bit of welcome news over at Give Me My Remote. It seems that genius funnymen Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant have decided their Brit-hit HBO series Extras, which officially ran its course in the U.S. earlier this month, deserved a more fitting coda.
So, just as they did when the original U.K. run of The Office finished, they’re going to write one final episode.
That’s right. We’re going to get a little extra Extras.
Gervais, who plays film extra and aspiring thespian Andy Millman in the show, finally sells a sit-com concept to the BBC, only to have to compromise on his artistic vision at every turn. The man proved his brilliant touch when it comes to finding the humor in life’s darkest and drabbest moments, first as Wernam-Hogg paper exec David Brent, and later as Millman. Merchant, who boasted cameos on The Office, had a regular role as the agent who constantly undermined Millman’s career.
Perhaps the best part about the show, aside from showcasing the charm and talent of Ashley Jensen as friend and fellow extra Maggie Jacobs, was the parade of A-list names that Gervais’s cache now attracts. Orlando Bloom, Kate Winslet, Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Samuel L. Jackson and David Bowie all appeared to hilarious effect.
Gervais launched Extras when he could have rested on the laurels of The Office, which has been imitated in several countries besides the U.S., including Canada and France.
But anyone lamenting the slow pace and plot issues of the U.S. this year would do well to note the man’s take on third seasons.
“We’re always let down by the third season of something we like, usually by the second season,” Gervais told Entertainment Weekly. “John Cleese did it perfectly. He went out with 12 (episodes), and no one slags off Fawlty Towers.”
The Office had the obvious loose end of what was to become of Tim and Dawn, the original Jim and Pam. It’ll be interesting to see how they choose to tie up the myriad loose ends of Millman’s life.
Maybe we’ll see what that barroom pow-wow with DeNiro turned up.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, March 20th, 2007 at 5:36 pm by Brian Howard.
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Kate Winslet’s cameo was not only the best of the bunch (although Ian McKellan was a close second), but it made me appreciate her on a whole new level. I want her to win an Oscar more than ever.
Also, the finale of the British “Office” is nothing short of brilliant, so I have no doubt the “Extras” finale will be just as great.