Category: TV
Ent
Date: 13.07.2005
Printable version
Extras,
the hotly-anticipated new comedy series from the creators of The
Office - Ricky Gervais and Stephen
Merchant - was today (13 July 2005) launched to the press by
Roly Keating, Controller of 91Èȱ¬ TWO.
Ìý
Said Roly Keating: "Extras has all the hallmarks
of a great 91Èȱ¬ TWO comedy series.
Ìý
"Ricky and Stephen have created a subtle and brilliantly
acted comedy about celebrity, ambition and friendship. In setting and
style it's a long way from The Office, but it's been crafted with just
as much wicked wit and attention to detail."
Ìý
In Extras, which transmits on 91Èȱ¬ TWO from Thursday
21 July at 9.00pm, Ricky Gervais plays Andy Millman who, having given
up his day job to be an actor, finds he just can't land the big parts.
Ìý
In fact, he rarely gets a speaking role so spends most
of his days hanging around with other extras envying the A-list stars.
Ìý
Each week, Extras has a different setting and cameo
appearances from guest artists.
Ìý
They are, in order of appearance: Ben Stiller;
Ross Kemp; Kate Winslet; Les
Dennis; Samuel L. Jackson and Patrick
Stewart.
Ìý
Ricky's Extras co-star is Ashley Jenson - playing
Maggie Jacobs, Andy's best friend and fellow extra - while Stephen Merchant
appears as his agent.
Ìý
In the first episode, Andy and Maggie are working on
a gritty drama about atrocities in the Balkans, directed by Hollywood
star Ben Stiller.
Ìý
Ben Stiller says of working with Ricky Gervais: "It
was my first chance to work in the UK, and it was very damp. Ricky was
really fun, but he kept laughing. Of course he only laughed during my
close up, which I believe was his way of trying to sabotage my performance."
Ìý
Ricky Gervais on working with Ben Stiller: "He's hard
working, he's got a proper work ethic and he's so professional, it was
a joy seeing him work.
Ìý
"I said to him, 'You must be the second best comedy
actor in the world' and he thanked me for that."
Ìý
Stephen Merchant adds: "Ben learnt a lot from Ricky
actually and now he never films after 4.30 in the afternoon either."
Ìý
Extras is a 91Èȱ¬ co-production with HBO, produced by
Charlie Hanson. The Executive Producer is 91Èȱ¬ Head of Comedy Entertainment,
Jon Plowman.
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ TWO 'Pedigree comedy'
Ìý
91Èȱ¬ TWO is a space where the UK's best comedy writing
and performing talent can challenge themselves to innovate and launch
their major new projects.
Ìý
On the same evening that Extras transmits (21 July),
Catherine Tate returns for a second series of her sketch
show, The Catherine Tate Show,
and Stephen Fry returns in Absolute
Power, in which he plays a PR spin meister.
Ìý
Later in the year Rob Brydon launches
a new series about a hapless British astronomer seeking a glorious new
life in the Australian Outback, Supernova,
and Joanna Lumley stars in a dark new comedy about
a successful couple in their sixties, Sensitive
Skin.
