Review: Extras
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Parents need to know that this British series comes from the folks behind the original version of The Office. And although this show's setting and characters are very different, the general flavor of the humor remains the same, relying on awkward pauses and mortifying faux pas for laughs. Main character Andy is often selfish and self-serving, and issues like racism and physical disability are used for joke fodder (which mature folks will understand as ironic, but which the younger set may misinterpret). Characters swear casually and frequently (though this is no Deadwood), drink and smoke, and talk about sex (though very little of the latter is actually shown). Recognizable Hollywood stars guest-star as themselves, gleefully mocking their public personas.
Families can talk about whether they find this kind of purposely cringe-inducing humor funny. What's the point of this kind of comedy? Is it more realistic/telling than traditional sitcom humor? How is this series like The Office? How is it different? Why do you think the guest stars wanted to participate? Do you think the show's versions of these people are any more accurate than their "regular" public personas? Also, is it OK to do and say things that are generally considered offensive in the name of comedy? When would you say TV writers have crossed the line? Is that line different for cable and network shows? Should it be?
What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that this British series comes from the
folks behind the original version of
The Office. And although this show's setting and
characters are very different, the general flavor of the humor
remains the same, relying on awkward pauses and mortifying faux
pas for laughs. Main character Andy is often selfish and
self-serving, and issues like racism and physical disability
are used for joke fodder (which mature folks will understand as
ironic, but which the younger set may misinterpret). Characters
swear casually and frequently (though this is no
Deadwood), drink and smoke, and talk about sex (though
very little of the latter is actually shown). Recognizable
Hollywood stars guest-star as themselves, gleefully mocking
their public personas.
Families can talk about whether they find this kind of purposely cringe-inducing humor funny. What's the point of this kind of comedy? Is it more realistic/telling than traditional sitcom humor? How is this series like The Office? How is it different? Why do you think the guest stars wanted to participate? Do you think the show's versions of these people are any more accurate than their "regular" public personas? Also, is it OK to do and say things that are generally considered offensive in the name of comedy? When would you say TV writers have crossed the line? Is that line different for cable and network shows? Should it be?
Common Sense Media Review
Andy Millman may be savvier than David Brent, but the
aspiring EXTRAS actor is no less prone to sticking his foot in
his mouth than the clueless
Office boss was. Which is no coincidence, considering
that both characters are played by Ricky Gervais, who's made a
specialty out of crafting cringe-inducing moments of painfully
funny comedy.
Extras (a co-production of HBO and the BBC) follows Andy's misadventures in showbiz. A bit player who spends more time sitting around shooting the breeze with his friend Maggie (Ashley Jensen) than he does in front of the camera, Andy is angling for his big break -- which he's probably going to have to get on his own, since his clueless agent, Darren Lamb ( Office co-creator Stephen Merchant), is no help at all.
