Just great, suble British humour with a twist and an edge - crass and to the point: life isn't always what the optimist makes it out to be......different than the Office but almost as original.

My main gripe about this show on the whole is that every single episode seems to be a carbon copy of the last, albeit a different setting, different guest actor, and different director. However, it borders on tedium. I was very excited to hear Gervais and Merchant were offering up another comedy, but it seems to fall quite short. It's not like I watched the fist 10 minutes of the first show and dismissed it either. No, I sat through three of the eps, finding it sometimes painful to understand the incoherent accents. In a desperate attempt for understanding, I actually put on closed captioning. I watch British series a lot and have never had to resort to that... Plus, hey, if you watch one episode, it seems to me that you have seen the plot line for the entire series.… Expand

Patrick Stewart's scene with Gervais in the trailer has to be one of the most brilliant television dialogues ever. The timing is just brilliant ("Instantly."). The guest stars have done fantastic jobs as twisted versions of themselves. Hopefully season 2 can keep the high level of especially the Winslet and Stewart episodes.

This show requires more than a couple of episodes to create a loyal fan base. Like most good sitcoms (i.e. Cheers, Seinfeld) the storyline is created by the interaction between relevant, evolving characters. When the characters win us over, we will even tolerate the occassional medicre storyline. This formula has worked well for HBO in series like The Sopranos, The Larry David Show, Six Feet Under and Entourage. The verdict is still out as to whether this show can maintain the kind of quality character-development that snares a signifcant audience.… Expand

Has its moments, and tends to be funnier with the earlier episodes than the later ones. The humor relies heavily on the complicity of the stars - Ben Stiller, Ross Kemp and even Kate Winslett send themselves up beautifully but I get the feeling this was really David Brent, from The Office, carrying on with his life after leaving the office. The character behaves much the same with his inbuilt klutzy insensitivities. Had it been seen as Brent moving on it might have worked better for me, but Gervais gives the impression he can really only play one character. Towards the end the comedy becomes suffused with a certain morality and while all good comedy has light and shade I don't think over such a few episodes this works.… Expand

I'm having a hard time with Merchant and Gervais' new offering. When you compare it with The Office, it doesn't stand up. On the other hand, it's hilarious just a little more subdued (if possible) than The Office. I'd like to see if it catches it's stride later in the season. The Kate Winslet (which I hate) episode was bomb.

Shouldn't be compared to the office, but still an absolute corcker of a series. The situations which occur in the series won't be seen anywhere else. Comparisons to Curb your... wich in turn is also a magnificent piece of tv (and comedy).

Hands-down the best thing on TV in a long time. If it were on a broadcast network, it would be killed immediately. Thankfully, it is on HBO.

Still better than anything that Hollywood produces. 10X better than Curb. But, OK, not as amazing as the Office. Even so, it is brilliant and I can not remember laughing out loud so much when I watched the Office.

A little disappointing. It's becoming Seinfeldian

I wish people would rate shows on their own basis, rather than comparing it to the other show a person did. The Kate Winslet and the Patrick Stewart episodes are the best. Sorry couldn't wait. I just hope this series goes on for more than two series. The Office was too short and hoping the American version would live up to the British is a waste of a wish.

Great writing coupled with fine acting delivers a uniquely entertaining show - comedy at its best. I have real pity for people who don’t appreciate it, surely their loss. It TV highlight of the week! Thank you HBO. I’ve been watching series two via torrent (I couldn’t wait) and it’s simply sublime. Well done Ricky & Stephen.

poor man's curb

poor

Genius.

Brilliance.

Hilarious, daring, brilliant, and altogether amazing.

The show is pure genius, the script is close to perfect. Gervais has proved himself to be one of the greatest British comedy writers, in the same league as Cleese and Curtis. A little gripe: I don't understand people's criticism of the show because they don't understand the accents. It's like saying that you hated a well-reviewed Spanish film because you don't speak Spanish.… Expand

this show is funny too. Different than the Office, but wonderful in its own way. This show and CYE pretty make hbo worth having.

No other show makes me laugh so hard and for so long as this show. Some of these monologues (Andy to the Priest, Maggie to her black date, Both of them to Sam Jackson), are just utterly briliant as we watch them wind themselves into the most absurd mess that often, their only choice is simply to walk away. Nobody else can do dialogue like this.

Great stuff. Please don't compare it to the office. It seems most people who gave it a 7 or less didnt give much or any of a reason. i can guess why. whatever argument they put up would immediately show their poor taste in tv programs. if u don't like this show go watch crap like lost and dont bring down the average rating for this comic genius

Incredibly Ricky Gervais has come up with a follow up to THE OFFICE that is just as laugh out loud hilarious! THE OFFICE was the funniest show in the history of television EXTRAS matches it on every level. I was set to be disappointed but this is great stuff!

Sir Ian ... Sir Ian ... Sir Ian "Wizard, you shall not pass!" Sir Ian ... Sir Ian ... Sir Ian. Brilliant! The wig, the glasses, the catchphrase, brilliant.

This is one of my absolute favorite series of all time. The great chemistry with the cast and the fact I can watch each episode multiple times makes it special. I can't honestly choose my favorite episode since the are all soooooo good. I just wish there were more seasons to enjoy :(

Another one of Ricky Gervais' genius creations, Extra's is absolutely awesome!! Comparisons to The Office are pointless, its different and deserves to be treated so because its another work of art by the legend that is Ricky Gervais. Superbly well written from start to finish and the guest stars throughout play their parts to perfection. All round it is simply sensational, reaffirming Ricky Gervais' place as one of the greatest comic writers off all time.… Expand