"Extras" is a low-key hilarious spoof of the universe as seen through the eyes of a miserable & failed actor who is equally miserable & failed at the role of being a human. The main draw of this clever comedy is the cameo appearance by a famous moviestar in each episode (Ben Stiller, Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, David Bowie, etc), and in each case the celebrity moviestar plays an outrageous parody of himself or herself which is totally at odds with their true personality.
For example in Episode 1, "Ben Stiller", Ben plays a totally unhinged, arrogantly-insecure movie director who boasts about slapping Jennifer Anniston's ass ("in a movie though." "THAT COUNTS!") or in Episode 6, "Patrick Stewart", the Shakespearean goliath himself Patrick Stuart plays a vapid, emotionally-stunted, nudity-obsessed adolescent who makes you realize how Beavis & Butthead might be after they grew up. Also definitely stick around for Episode 8, "David Bowie" where bowie thrills a party with his impromptu song "Chubby Little Loser" with which he serenades Ricky Gervais.
All of this is played with a totally straight-faced, deadpan, witty & distinctively British sense of humour (spelled with an 'our') that should thrill all English speaking audiences.
But it gets better. Or worse, depending on how you feel about this. The stories aren't pure absurdist comedy like the examples I mentioned. Each episode carries an undercurrent of some serious social problem, usually regarding prejudice & insensitivity, that is brilliantly and hilariously--and slightly depressingly--woven into the story. I'll give you an example:
In Episode 3, "Kate Winslet", Kate plays an obnoxious, Oscar-award-obsessed parody of herself, taking on roles in powerful dramas about things like the Holocaust, pretending to care about the issues, just because she knows those roles win the awards. In a parallel story, Ricky ("Adam") begins flirting with a girl he meets who is Catholic, so he pretends he too is Catholic, with hilariously disastrous results when he meets an actual priest. And at the same time he is forcing a show of empathy for the girl's sister who has cerebral palsy (excellently played by comedienne & real-life cerebral palsy afflicted Francesca Martinez, whom you gotta check out on youtube after the show). Like Kate, Ricky is merely putting on a front to mask his selfish agenda, only we see the duality of Kate's success vs. Ricky's utter failure, and that's the "a bit depressing" part I mentioned in my title.
It's not played off as schlocky or silly or with a big drumshot punchline. Instead we get just enough sobering reality to affect us on a serious level while on the surface we are mirthfully awaiting the next gag. Sometimes, masterfully, the next gag doesn't come and we are left with the sobering reality. This might be disorienting to audiences who are just expecting a zany comedy, but to me it's what elevates this production from zany comedy to masterpiece material. Without losing its comedic rhythm, "Extras" gives us some powerful thoughts to ponder, but ultimately leaves us laughing.
Ricky Gervais would continue to refine this storytelling technique, perhaps even recycle some of these powerful thoughts in later productions (such as his 2009 film "The Invention of Lying" which uses a powerful bit from the "Kate Winslet" episode regarding faith and the afterlife), and Ricky would eventually arrive at what is to me is best work so far, the currently running "After Life". If you enjoy "Extras" then definitely check out "After Life" where Ricky turns up the volume on the depressing aspects while keeping in line with the witty, sarcastic humour that keeps us coming back for more.
This sort of societally-self-deprecating comedy is a rare occurrence (and by 'societally-self-deprecating' I'm talking about comedies that shed light on society's flaws by unapologetically parading these flaws in our faces). But if you enjoyed "The Sarah Silverman Show" (where she herself plays a cluelessly selfish, borderline racist, privileged white girl) then you might know what to expect. But in Sarah Silverman, the comedy does come across as campy and silly so it's not quite as powerful and quietly sobering as what we get here. But in both cases, it's a novel way of looking at our crazy, conflicted society through the veil of laughs. Definitely check this series out if you have the chance.
