being an “extra” on their various films. In past episodes we’ve seen Kate Whinslet, Ben Stiller, Samuel Jackson and David Bowie, among others, generally making asses of themselves. It’s great fun (and a bit courageous) as they are portrayed as self-centered, pampered stars that, in a perverse way, Andy wants to be like. (Careful what you wish for?) In the finale on Sunday we see George Michael and Clive Owen playing themselves. Michael is picking up litter in a public park frequented by gays as part of his “community service” court sentence. Pondering his miserable life, Andy unknowingly sits on the bench, which happens to be a major pick-up spot. He gets blackmailed for Michael’s whereabouts by paparazzi. Given the alternative, Andy gives Michael up in a heartbeat.
Owen plays the lead in a period piece in which Ashley is an extra playing the part of a whore. Owen is exceedingly handsome but repulsively self-absorbed. Before the scene is shot he looks at Ashley disapprovingly and says to the director his “character would never sleep with her,” adding, “I could do better.” Humiliated for the last time, Ashley quits the film and gives up being an extra. Broke, she moves into a tiny apartment and worries about her bleak future while Andy is wallowing in his troubles. He hardly notices her hardships thanks to his self-centered ways.
Teetering on a breakdown Andy impulsively quits “Whistle” and is cocky about his future prospects. Unfortunately the phone stops ringing, he doesn’t get the best tables at posh restaurants and the paparazzi don’t even bother taking his picture any-more. (A fate worse than death?) Any last episode of a successful show is intriguing. “Sopranos” viewers are still talking about whether David Chase will reprise the story in a film. With “Extras” one wonders, as with Andy Millman, are Gervais and Stephen Merchant through with television? I hope not as they have created two brilliant series in a business where one is a rarity. (“The Office” for BBC and “Extras” for HBO.) According to IMDB Gervais is scheduled to write, direct and co-star with Jennifer Garner in a comedy movie due out in 2009. Whatever the future, “Extras the Special,” which has a satisfying ending, airs on HBO Sunday at 9 p.m. (and other times throughout the month) and is well worth watching.
JACK also writes the “Laughing Matters” column, which appears every Friday. He
Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on December 15, 2007. Read the original PDF.