Extras - the King's New Clothes of TV

[robertson]

Remember the fairytale, The King's New Clothes, in which the King has been fooled into walking around naked but nobody dare tell him, precisely because he is the King...until a kid shouts it out from the crowd? Well, that's how I feel about Extras on BBC2. The Office has made Ricky Gervais so revered that nobody dare tell him this is totally unfunny - in fact, it's depressing with the same premise every week. Johnny Vaughan was 'found out' by his aptly-named sitcom 'Orrible, and it's surely only time before that happens here. I also cringe every time I see & hear smug Stephen Merchant either 'acting' or promoting stuff with Gervais - I wanna scream at him: 'You're just a scriptwriter with a face for radio..get back behind your PC!' I await an avalanche of hatred now, but I'd still like to know what you REALLY think.

[Suzyboo]

Did decide to watch it as the first series had some funny moments but agree that last night's wan't amusing and Keith Chegwin being crude was just not funny and I gave up on the programme soon after that

[spat]

i always thought stephen merchant to be the "funny one"
whenever i have heard the radio shows on xfm or the recent podcasts-gervais seems to spend the whole time laughing while merchant does the gags
still have to say i like extras-it is not the office but i think they have tried to keep away from repeating themselves

[kick3m0n]

I really like Extras, prefer it to the office to be honest. Love Stephen Merchant and agree with Spat, he's often the funniest of the two.

Not sure why you expected an avalanche of hatred? If anything, I'd think your view would be supported by the majority of the folk who post here.

[Mikeyd2]

I know his stageshows can be near the mark . But does anyone remember when he used to appear on "The Word" (I think it was ) and he used to have a spot on there and spout mostly foul mouthed rants for 5 mins . Which was "right on " at the time .ie Late night Channel 4. Just an observation .

robertson I agree with your points . Exhibit B , "The Simpsons" episode ....

[doglady]

I didn't really notice the comedy last night. I was too busy looking at Orlando Bloom. Yum!!

[toonmilo]

Ricky used to be on the 11 o clock show.


I find Extras hilarious, not as good as the office was though.
Last nights episode had a lot to live up to compared to the BRILLIANT first series.

Its all a matter of opinion i guess, some like it some don't!

[Mikeyd2]

Thanks for that correction toonmilo.

[Ric.ror]

Sorry but i thought it was very funny - and I hope tht - like the first serious - it will just get better and better

[valsuey]

I found The Office totally cringemaking and totally unfunny.Extras was slightly better but only because of Ashley Jenson. What really annoys me is how Ricky Gervais is hailed as the King of Comedy. He has imo not earned that title, not by a long way. As you so rightly say robertson its like everyone is frightened to say anything against the guy. Oh I forgot to say I loathe him when he does stand up comedy too. Nice to know I'm not alone.

[kick3m0n]

LOL at the way this thread has gone......are you surprised robertson? I said as much in my answer, but I fully expected that most people who posted would agree with you, and that thos who liked Extras (or indeed merchant and gervais) would be in the minority. Far from everyone being afraid to say they don't like it, I think the opposite is true. It's not got the emotional resonance of The Office (I'm waiting patiently) and was never ever going to live up to that hype and so I think that Extras and Gervais/merchant are now very easy and very popular targets.

[lankeela]

Totally agree robertson - only surprised more haven't agreed. And what about the Royal Family - how buttock clenching was that? I can't get my head round how these programmes (like the office) are supposed to be funny.
I just feel embarrassed for the actors, and feel awkward even watching them. I think some people just daren't say they don't find them funny - your description of the Kings New Clothes is just spot on.