We head into August 2006, but today we have a programme from a year ago. It’s an episode of Extras which I missed (or didn’t archive) at the time. And annoyingly, the first ten minutes are missing. No idea why.
When we join the episode, Greg (Shaun Pye) is winding up Andy (Ricky Gervais) about his lack of actual acting credits. Frankly, if I were Andy I’d just not talk to him at all, as he’s demonstrably a terrible, terrible person.
Andy visits his agent, who still hasn’t got him any acting work. But Shaun Williamson is there, playing himself, but only ever referred to as Barry from Eastenders, and it’s how I’ll always think of him, even when he’s winning every episode of Pointless Celebrities he’s on. Stephen Merchant isn’t getting him much work either.
Andy reads the CV that his agent sends out to Maggie (Ashley Jacobs). It’s not good. “‘From 1986 to 1999 Andy Millman worked at the NatWest in Wokingham. Andy left this comfortable, adequately-paid job to try and become an actor, despite his age, weight and looks. Andy claims to be a great actor but has not yet had the chance to prove it because so far he’s had no offers except “extra” work which as you know is pointless and badly paid. Acting is Andy’s dream. If you can make that dream come true, please, please call.’ I mean, it’s like he’s writing to Jim’ll Fix It.”
Maggie fancies one of the actors, but is worried that he’ll think she’s stupid. But he’s interested, and asks her out.
The TV show they’re working on stars Ross Kemp as Nelson. Over on another stage they’re shooting a film starring Vinnie Jones, and it’s clear Ross Kemp is jealous that he’s still only doing TV. “What’s he doing making a film? He’s a bloody footballer.”
Greg is back, winding Andy up. He’s working on the film with Vinnie Jones. So Andy tells him that Ross Kemp said he could take Vinnie Jones. “You know Ross was trained by the SAS? And said if Vinnie Jones tried his antics on with him, he’d rip him apart. So you might want to warn him.”
Maggie goes out with Mark the actor, and invites him in for a cup of tea. But when they inevitably end up in bed, he’s not a very nice partner.
On set, as you might have expected, Greg has told Vinnie Jones what Andy told him about Ross Kemp so he comes round doing his hard man thing. Greg really is the worst.
Media Centre Description: Comedy series from Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant. Andy Millman has been an actor for five years but he’s never done any acting, instead he is just a lowly film extra. His only friend is Maggie, a fellow supporting artist and a hopeless romantic. Maggie suggests that Andy ask leading man Ross Kemp for a line in the programme Ultimate Force.
Recorded from BBC TWO on Thursday 03 August 2006 21:10
BBC Genome: BBC TWO Thursday 03 August 2006 21:10
The genome link includes the iPlayer link to episode one of the series, as does the genome description. But the cast list is for this episode.
After this, there’s a trailer for Armando Iannucci’s Time Trumpet.
And a trailer for How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?
Then, the recording stops shortly into the first episode of the second series of Supernova.
VHiStory 