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Extras: Xmas Special

In this 90 minute special from 2007, Andy Millman is (still) frustrated that popularity doesn’t deliver credibility.

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Comedy ‘everyman’ Ricky Gervais doesn’t look like he should ever have become a star, but he’s become a rule-breaker, perfectionist and trend-setter who quits while he is on top -which is why this 2007 Extras Christmas special is all the more cherished.

No doubt derived from his experiences making The Office, Extras was Gervais’ essay on the British industry. His ‘Andy Millman’ character rose from bottom-feeder rungs to the dizzying heights of his own sitcom, the fictional ‘When the Whistle Blows.’

Andy shifted from being ignored to feted, by the BAFTAs no less, and calling stars like David Bowie by their first name. And like most British comedies, it became a comment on a class system.

In this 90 minute edition Andy is (still) frustrated that popularity doesn’t deliver credibility. His likeness is sold in toy doll forms with his hollow catchphrase (“Are you ‘avin a laff?”), he doesn’t have to wait for tables in the best restaurants –unlike guest stars Hale & Pace– and the only roles on offer are as a slug in Doctor Who. He quits the sitcom and dumps his insipid, but hilarious, agent (Steven Merchant).

Meanwhile pal Maggie (Ashley Jensen) sinks lower. As an extra alongside Clive Owen she is “too ugly” to be a period wench. She can only afford to rent a dingy room with a Murphy Bed. Even Andy tells her not to approach him on the set for fear of being seen as too accessible by untalented minions. All the while Jensen’s sweetly sad expressions are the real heart of Extras. She is brilliant as its Greek chorus and conscience.

But, we also love Extras for its star cameos taking the piss. There’s a show-stopping scene by George Michael, dawdling in Hampstead Heath no less! He approaches Andy on a park bench, and the rest you’ll just have to see (or YouTube) for yourself. As in the release of ‘Outside,’ Michael is clearly prepared to proffer self-irony to negate bad publicity.

Extras also takes aim at reality television and Britain’s obsession with Celebrity Big Brother where an unscripted tirade against everything it represents only furthers to elevate Andy’s star. By then there is so much life imitating art that all you can really do is sit back and laugh at the whole thing. Which works just fine.

Extras Christmas special airs 9:30pm Xmas Day on UKTV.

17 Responses

  6. I got so excited to hear it was being shown over Christmas, but alas I don’t have Paytv, so I missed out – I agree with above viewers – I thought the ABC had the rights to this show

  7. I thought that Dr Who scene could have actually been in a real episode (anyone remember Simon Pegg’s award deserving performance a few years back?). Ah sci-fi fans…… get out more.

  8. The Extras episode includes a cameo from David Tennant playing the Doctor as Andy Millman got a part in Doctor Who.

    Doctor Who fans who do not have UKTV this was not worth seeing as this scene was a reflection of what Doctor Who once was and not what it is today.

    Absolutely mind-boggling why there are some people who still have old fashion negative views of Doctor Who despite being a current show.

    It reminds me of a remark I read somewhere else some months ago in which someone said that this year’s season of Doctor Who ended recently and nobody talks about a show that ended 20 years ago. Quite a contradictory statement, how can Doctor Who be both a defunct and current show at the same time especially since this person did not make a distinction between classic and current Who in his remark.

    That remark and the Extras scene is simply not applicable to Doctor Who of today.

  10. edu: Yes this is the 2007 Xmas Extras Special. As written many times in the article. As also stated in the article, the show is available in full on youtube. (As well as in hi-res versions if you know where to look).

    Extras will have another special according to Gervais, no announcement as per release dates though yet. Late 09 I’d hazard a guess. I’m sure the ABC didn’t get it due to it being too expensive at the time. But it will be on Australian release DVD soon I’m sure.

    This special is the best Extras show yet. I really like this show; I liked the Office but Extras is different, I can actually re-watch it and still enjoy it just as much every time. It woudn’t ruin the quality at all if Extras continued for a few years yet.

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