Extras Extras!!!
Since my time is suddenly at a premium, my brother suggested that he write a blog entry for me. Without further ado...
No, not the “news” slash celebrity gossip television show. I’m talking about the sensational HBO comedy series. A series that matches, if not surpasses, every other great comedy in our time. I'm going to focus on the second season or series, but only because I didn't watch the entire first season –– something I’m now looking forward to.
The second season of "Extras" is everything clever media writers say about these kinds of shows. Some blogger has no doubt called it fresh and creative. I'm sure there’s even some TV critic out there who has likened it to Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream" because of its use of a show within a show. No doubt in the same breath saying its ahead of its time.
And while I agree with all those things, there’s more to it than that. It's funny. It's really, really funny. I am breaking it down to its core because not many shows can claim that. From Sir Ian McKellen explaining to Andy how to act. To Daniel Radcliff having his Johnny unwrapped, because, as he says, he’s "ready for action, just hope its big enough." And then there was Chris Martin, insisting that he appear on Andy's World War 2 era "shit-com" to promote Coldplay’s Greatest Hits.
It’s not just the great guest stars that make this show exceptional. The three main characters add so much to this show. A show that's truly about nothing, they make you want to watch what's happening in their shallow lives. And like that other show about nothing. The characters aren't nice: they’re selfish and, more often than not, unlikable. The show isn’t about plot set up or finding resolution in a 1/2 hour. It's just about comedy, it's just about being funny.
This show, not unlike both versions of The Office, is a show you can watch over and over again. And with each viewing you find something new to love and laugh at. And when Andy Milman's character, Mr Stokes asks, "are you having a laugh?" –– more than likely, you will be.
No, not the “news” slash celebrity gossip television show. I’m talking about the sensational HBO comedy series. A series that matches, if not surpasses, every other great comedy in our time. I'm going to focus on the second season or series, but only because I didn't watch the entire first season –– something I’m now looking forward to.
The second season of "Extras" is everything clever media writers say about these kinds of shows. Some blogger has no doubt called it fresh and creative. I'm sure there’s even some TV critic out there who has likened it to Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Nights Dream" because of its use of a show within a show. No doubt in the same breath saying its ahead of its time.
And while I agree with all those things, there’s more to it than that. It's funny. It's really, really funny. I am breaking it down to its core because not many shows can claim that. From Sir Ian McKellen explaining to Andy how to act. To Daniel Radcliff having his Johnny unwrapped, because, as he says, he’s "ready for action, just hope its big enough." And then there was Chris Martin, insisting that he appear on Andy's World War 2 era "shit-com" to promote Coldplay’s Greatest Hits.
It’s not just the great guest stars that make this show exceptional. The three main characters add so much to this show. A show that's truly about nothing, they make you want to watch what's happening in their shallow lives. And like that other show about nothing. The characters aren't nice: they’re selfish and, more often than not, unlikable. The show isn’t about plot set up or finding resolution in a 1/2 hour. It's just about comedy, it's just about being funny.
This show, not unlike both versions of The Office, is a show you can watch over and over again. And with each viewing you find something new to love and laugh at. And when Andy Milman's character, Mr Stokes asks, "are you having a laugh?" –– more than likely, you will be.
posted by M S Martinez at 3/13/2007 01:42:00 PM
3 Comments:
David is right, Extras can be really funny, but I found myself not liking it as much as The Office because it felt more sitcom-y in the Seinfeld/Curb Your Enthusiasm vein. And more often then not, it felt like the celebrities were playing David Brent as opposed to variations of themselves.
All in all though, plently of lolz to go around.
I too dig extras, though not as much as the office. sometimes the celebs flame, but patrick stewart kicked ass.
this place is dead
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