Ricky Gervais to make one-off episode of Extras

By Paul Hirons on March 20th, 2007 6 comments

We always thought there might be one last series of Extras, but then again it has become difficult to second guess Ricky Gervais these days. He’s got the happy knack of ending a series when people are expecting more (and wanting more), and I’ve always rated Ricky, and his writing partner Stephen Merchant, for this approach. It makes for a refreshing change when you see series trundle away and go on way past their sell-by date.

And, true to form, Ricky and Stephen have announced that there will be one last episode of Extras, and no full series.

Extras divided opinion. Some say it wasn’t as good as The Office, but in places I think it matched it. The first series seemed to rely too heavily on the cameo appearances, but the second – thanks to Stephen Merchant’s more frequent appearances I think – was more laugh-out-loud-funny. The scene with the poo and the whisk will live long in the memory. As will the David Bowie scene… chubby little fat man.

“Ricky and Stephen are writing one more episode of Extras and that will be it,” a spokesperson said. “There is no storyline or cast yet, and things are in their very early stages.”

So I wonder who will be given the nod when it comes to guest appearances? We’ve already had Ben Stiller, Samuel L Jackson, Kate Winslet and, erm, Keith Chegwin. Place your bets now!

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Category: BBC 2, Comedy
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http://annawaits.blogspot.com AnnaWaits

The first series of Extras was great, and I can’t say I never laughed during the second – mainly thanks to Stephen Merchant. But its wrong-headed, self-aggrandising discussion of comedy (“naturalistic good/catchphrases bad”) made it a soul-less viewing experience…
George

My favourite bits in the last series were the scenes from the sitcom — called something like When The Hooter Blows — the sad thing was that this actually was a lot funnier than the stuff around it. (And don’t smile wearily, readers, you KNOW I’m right). Wake up, Gervais!

And give us a series of it, for goodness’ sake
Peter MD

You sad moron, George. Those sitcom scenes were not at all amusing and you know it. Or are you trying to be post-modern or something.
Paul Hirons

Peter, everyone is entitled to their opinion on tvscoop… George’s opinion is as welcome as your’s here!
http://www.billyosstressrelief.blogspot.com/ Billyo

Funniest scene over two series, was surely the Pen in his agents office.

“look if you turn it upside down….”
http://rambleshamble.blogspot.com/ Clive_Evil_C

I enjoyed the first series (hell I brought the DVD) but the second series, whilst admitedly funny in parts, bored me to tears, the ‘subtle’ pop at other comedies, the frequent auqaurd pauses used in stead of scripting some decent comedy, the ‘oh let’s make keith chegwin a racist’

Saying this, I’ll still watch the episode out of curiosity.