Extras: The Extra Special Series Finale (2007) Reviews

I think the show jumped the shark a bit in its final season with its sitcom-parody and self-absorbed analysis of fame. The very best parts of this series were celeberities satirizing themselves and of course, Ashley Jensen. The finale was downright depressing. Do yourself a favor and stick to the first season.
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I was totally freaked out by this Extras finale. I just applied for a job in the morning. Then that evening while watching this episode, Maggie (Ashley Jensen), while looking for a job, circles a classified with the same exact unusual address. And I'm in New York !
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*Extras* does change its tenor a bit in the second series; while Series 1 was more about observing celebrity from the immediate fringes, Series 2 moves on to (as Tod pointed out) a sustained parody of fame from the inside as Andy becomes "star" of his own horrendous sitcom. The Christmas Special picks up right where Series 2 left off. Like Gervais's other masterwork *The Office*, the first half of the special is so painful it's difficult to watch, but (also like *The Office*) the conclusion of the show is ultimately satisfying. Guest appearances are noticeably sparser in the special; while numerous, they play like cameos without opportunity to develop. The finale is about Andy and Maggie. Although I wouldn't recommend starting here for anyone who hasn't seen the show, it will provide a satisfying ending for its fans.
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Late last November '07, I was shocked to learn that this hilarious series was coming to an end so soon. I was very pleased with this final episode, unlike other comedy finales that failed to deliver (Friends, Seinfeld). The Extras finale plays out like a movie - if you haven't followed seasons 1 or 2, you can still enjoy it and not be completely lost. Of course, seeing the previous seasons and knowing the characters makes you treasure the last episode much more. I thoroughly enjoy and highly recommend the Extras series, along with The Office, and I'm steadily keeping an eye on everything else that Ricky Gervais does.
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