The show: 'Extras' is a British comedy series starring Ricky Gervais as aspiring actor and regular extra Andy Millman
and Stephen Merchant as his agent, Darren Lamb. Gervais and Merchant also wrote and directed the 13 episodes (two
seasons and a Christmas special) of 'Extras', which is a BBC and HBO co-production. The first series was broadcast on
BBC2 in July 2005 and on HBO in the US in September of that year. The final episode, an 80-minute Christmas special,
was broadcast on HBO on 16 December 2007 and on BBC2 on 27 December. The series is notable for the number of 
actors who appeared in it, often playing grossly exaggerated parodies of themselves. The first series saw Andy struggling
to achieve his goal of being an actor, while picking up work as an extra with his best friend Maggie (Ashley Jensen). 
Andy finds success in the second series, when the BBC buys his script for a sitcom called When the Whistle Blows.
But the BBC wants major changes to the show, to which Andy reluctantly agrees (including wearing a really bad wig).
The show becomes a surprise success, along with his character's "Are you havin' a laff?" catchphrase.

The Christmas Special: Andy's sitcom remains highly popular, although stores are finding it difficult to sell dolls of his 
character. But Andy's star is on the rise and he wants to move on to more serious acting work. Darren can only get him
roles on shows such as 'Doctor Who' or 'Hotel Babylon', which Andy refuses to do, so he decides to get a new agent.
Meanwhile, after filming an episode of When the Whistle Blows, Andy tells the studio audience that it will be the last
episode ever. This move proves to be unwise, as he now struggles to obtain acting work, and his agent is not returning
his calls. Andy reluctantly accepts a role in 'Doctor Who', in which he plays a slug-like creature who is defeated by the
Doctor (played by David Tennant) using common salt (a sly nod to the original series, perhaps?). Andy then accepts a
role on 'Celebrity Big Brother', but walks out of the show after realising that fame comes at a cost, including neglecting
his best friend, Maggie. Ironically, his departure from 'Big Brother' makes him a star again, but he walks out of a media
conference and is last seen driving to the airport with Maggie.

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