newcritics - Latest Comments in Extras: the Comedy of Humiliation

Re: Extras: the Comedy of Humiliation

Kevin Wolf — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 10:08:04 -0000

Oddly, I have seen season two without seeing season one. (Something I must remedy.)

Dan, absolutely, the show is brilliant. I hope Gervais & Merchant cook up another.

Re: Extras: the Comedy of Humiliation

Viscount LaCarte — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 18:34:54 -0000

As much as I'll miss it, I commend Gervais and Merchant for ending the show long before it could have "jumped the shark." They did it with The Office and it was perfect.

One of things that makes this show special is how well each episode fits together. It puts me in mind of Fawtly Towers where the audience is fully apprised of complexities and roots of Basil's predicaments (often finding themselves sympathizing with him,) while the rest of the cast is oblivious and antagonistic. As much as I love John Cleese's masterpiece, I have to say he has nothing on Gervais and Merchant. They are masters of the genre.

High- points for me from Series 2 are Orlando Bloom's obvious conceit and envy over Johnny Depp, and Ian McKellan's explanation of his method of acting to Andy.

Re: Extras: the Comedy of Humiliation

Tony Alva — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 10:59:30 -0000

Bring tea for the tillerman, steak for the sun

Wine for the women who made the rain come

Seagulls sing your hearts away, while the sinners sin, the children pray.

Oh lord how they play and pray for that happy day, for that happy day...

Re: Extras: the Comedy of Humiliation

Kathleen Maher — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 22:16:12 -0000

It really sounds great, Dan. And if it weren't for you, who knows how long, if ever, I'd learn about it. Sooner or later maybe my kids might clue me in.

Re: Extras: the Comedy of Humiliation

Tom Watson — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 20:24:31 -0000

Dan - that Bowie scene is an all-time classic. I laugh out loud just thinking about it. The song was brilliant, but the Gervais mug is what makes it.