Hooked to the Silver Screen I 17 I Extras (2006)
Extras was a good sitcom about (at least in part) about a bad sitcom. More specifically, it was about the misadventures of Andy Millman, played by Ricky Gervais, who rises from being an “extra” on stage and screen to the star of a lowbrow and critically savaged, but popular television comedy. Each episode featured a guest appearance by an enormously famous actor— including Bowie.
Bowie’s appearance in the show’s eighth overall episode (the second of its second season) is significant in part because it includes his performance of an original song created for the show. Also, 2006 was during Bowie’s period of semi-reclusively. The Extras song was the only original song released by Bowie from Reality (2003) to The Next Day (2013).
As a piece of music, the song isn’t one of Bowie’s best. It’s not supposed to be— it’s basically the punchline to a joke. (Although this might be the funniest of Bowie’s intentionally comedic songs, the others of which are forgettable). Millman, self-centered and self-loathing, approaches Bowie, trying to parlay his new notoriety as a a sitcom star into social acceptability. He thinks of himself as a sellout, but he’s a narcissistic character with little artistic integrity to betray in the first place. Bowie recognizes this nearly immediately and writes a song making fun of the character on the spot, getting all the restaurant patrons to sing along. Bowie is presented a a genius who is barely aware of Millman, other than as a musical inspiration.
All that said, I have’s watched the series all the way through. The comedy works by creating a tension— Millman is very unlikable, and what we’re supposed to find funny his him getting his (often understated) comeuppance. Even his putative success is degrading. Instead of jokes, the show establishes slow burning tension ending with Millman’s repeated humiliation. At least that’s what I gather from what I’ve seen.
As an episode in a series, this particular show is a lesser work. It’s not meant to stand on its own. It’s Bowie’s only appearance on the show, and the encounter with Bowie is really the main event of the episode, so Bowie’s part is more than a cameo. But it’s not, on its own, a seismic work of art.
Still, this episode of Extras is fun for sure. Fortunately, YouTube has the entire episode posted, which is what’s attached to this post, so you can watch the whole thing.
Good use of Bowie?
For sure. Bowie’s in the show long enough to be satisfying and it’s one of the rare shows (or full movies) featuring Bowie singing, let alone an original song. If I had the chance to get Bowie to guest star on a show, I’d want no less. So, yes, Ricky Gervais made the most of it.
Rating
The episode does the job, but is really just a piece of a larger work, so I’m not going to give it my highest rating. Still, its a good investment of a half hour worth of watching.
Three out of four Bowies.
🧑🎤👩🏿🎤👨🎤
And to see where Extras fits in the ranking summary, click here.