"Extras" David Bowie (2006)

Directors:

Ricky Gervais
Stephen Merchant

Writers:

Ricky Gervais (written by) &
Stephen Merchant (written by)

TV Series:

"Extras" (2005)

Original Air Date:

21 September 2006 (Season 2, Episode 2)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

The first episode of Andy's sitcom, "When the Whistle Blows" is getting harsh reviews but draws respectable viewing numbers. Andy begins to get recognized on the street and in pubs. |

Plot Keywords:

Pub | Homeless Man | Song | Actor | Director

Cast

Ricky Gervais	...	Andy Millman
Ashley Jensen	...	Maggie Jacobs
Stephen Merchant	...	Darren Lamb
Shaun Williamson	...	Barry
David Bowie	...	Himself
Liza Tarbuck	...	Rita
Sarah Moyle	...	Kimberley
Andrew Buckley	...	Gobbler
Jamie Chapman	...	Brains
Shaun Pye	...	Greg
Claire Adams	...	Cathy
Ryozo Kohira	...	Mr. Yamaguchi
Richard Morris	...	Homeless Man
David Earl	...	Obsessive Fan
Nicola Sanderson	...	Receptionist

Runtime:

30 min (approx.)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Quotes:

David Bowie: [sings] The little fat man who sold his soul...
Andy Millman: The little?
David Bowie: [sings] Little fat man who sold his dream... Chubby little loser...
David Bowie: [turns round and plays piano] Chubby little loser... National joke...
David Bowie: [stops singing] No, not chubby little loser...
David Bowie: [sings] Pathetic little fat man... No one's bloody laughing...
David Bowie: [sings] The clown that no one laughs at... They all just wish he'd die...
David Bowie: [sings] He's so depressed at being useless... The fat man takes his own life...
David Bowie: [stops singing] No, no
David Bowie: [sings] He's so depressed at being hated... Fatty takes his own life...
[...]

Movie Connections:

References The Hills Have Eyes (1977)

A very nice continuation of the newest struggle for Andy Millman

There is a bit of a change of taste for the second episode in season 2 of Extras. Andy, dealing with his new celebrity, must live through scathing reviews and the sadness of success as his critically acclaimed sitcom gains popularity.

It's funny how pathetic Andy can be in both of the two different bar scenes he visits. In the local pub he shrugs the appraise he gets from authentic fans, yet Andy feels he should be valued with more demeanors. So at the more illustrious setting he is ridiculed and tormented by the entire clientele of the lounge during a breakout singing session lead by mega-celebrity David Bowie.

The episode played fair to the structure we are used to from Extras however there are signs that Maggie is still not feeling on the same level with Andy. Although they both feel the gimmick role he has on his show is a joke, Andy still goes along with it. Maggie looked pretty disgusted when they had to return to the original tavern to entertain the lot of underachievers who truly appreciate Andy's pitiable character role.

This game shouldn't go on much longer (as the title of the show suggest). I predict the staged sitcom 'When the (Wind) Whistle Blows' will be canceled in the coming episodes. Keep watching

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