Extras : Complete BBC Series 1 [2005] [DVD]

They have followed the hardest act in the world with another piece of unique and brilliant television. The nuanced perfection of each episode is astounding. In Andy we get a very likeable everyman, intelligent, self aware and, despite what some critics might say, very far away from Brent (with the exception of an uncanny physical resemblance). Merchant excels as his hapless agent, providing a admirable haul of fall-off-the-sofa laughing moments. But the real gem of this series is getting to know the loveable Maggie. She is brilliant; funny, warm and just the right side of silly, it's like you've known her all your life. Brilliantly written and brilliantly performed, Maggie is actually the beating heart of the series (and as long we are using vital organ metaphors, Andy is the brain and his agent is the erm... spleen). The guest stars are all great in their own way, but I think Les Dennis shades it as the most darkly comic - can't imagine what they'll make of him in the US. Kate Winslets advice is hilarious, as is Patrick Stewarts idea for a script, but Ross Kemps collapse in the face of brutish Vinnie Jones is a class act. If you missed this on the telly, buy it, take the phone off the hook, close the curtains, and watch the whole thing from start to finish. It is further proof of the genius of Gervais and Merchant. Well done lads.

I must confess, when I heard about this I was worried. The idea of Ricky Gervais following up the mostly brilliant "The Office" with a sitcom about wannabe actors featuring appearances from the likes of Ben Stiller and Samuel L Jackson, smacked of "difficult second album" syndrome in epic proportions.
Against all odds, though, it works. By and large, this is another brilliantly observed, funny and cringemakingly embarassing minor masterpiece of a programme. Stephen Merchant's hilariously inept agent - whose qualification is, in the words of Gervais' character Andy, that he printed out some business cards saying "agent" - together with Ashley Jensen's gaffe-prone Maggie, ensure that, unlike in "The Office", Gervais is not the most embarassing and useless character; indeed, he often comes across as quite witty and smooth, especially when his response to a prima donna-ish Benm stiller's demand of "Do you know who I am?" is an indifferent "Starsky or Hutch, I can never quite remember".
Indeed, the fact that each episode has a different star playing themselves (and usually poking fun at themselves big time) keeps the programme fresh. The famous Les Dennis episode is a definite standout, and the sight of him demonstrating his sexual prowess to Gervais - while naked, of course - is one of those horrid
mental images that will stay with you forever.
However, there are also a wealth of diferent characters in each episode, who often contribute more to the programme; for instance the ultra-clingy Welshman who just wants to be friends defines the fifth episode to a far greater extent than Samuel L Jackson.
Overall, this is not quite as great as "The Office"; it lacks the subtlety and character development of that programme (and it lacks the dance too, but it seems unfair to penalise for that). Also, at times it takes the pleasure/pain balance of watching - which is an occupational hazard of Rocky Gervais sitcoms - too far in the "pain" direction. This is the case for much of the Kate Winslet episode, especially during the excruciting scene where Gervais tries to persuade people that he is Catholic by claiming he attended the sermons of Father Michael O' Flatley.
These are relative nitpickings, though. Gervais has, somehow, managed to do it again. Whether he can keep up the quality in series 2, though, remains to be seen.

Yes, Gervais (and Merchant) have done it again. A comedy that breaks new ground in many ways and will permanently alter the TV landscape. Once again, the currency is humiliation. And what could be more demeaning that working as an extra along side the A-listers from the TV/film world.

What is new is that real stars have been persuaded to appear, as themselves, and get ripped to shreds in the process. Only Gervais's huge credibility could have made this possible.

Gervais plays Andy Millman, a theatrical extra in desperate search of a speaking part. He comes close several times but his political incorrectness always trips him up.

Also new is the touching and very credible friendship between Andy and Maggie, a sort of female alter-ego of Gervais's character.

If you caught it on BBC2 you'll be ordering the DVD 'like a rat up a drain-pipe'.

TV comedy perfection.