Extras to get final send-off, but no series 3

Published July 18th, 2007 in Television Tags: Christmas, Extras, finale, Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant.

Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant’s award-winning television series Extras won’t be getting a third season but will instead be ending with a one hour Christmas special - a send-off similar to their previous project The Office. Originally announced in March by a BBC spokesperson, Gervais later confirmed it in on an episode of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross. More recently, the following video was uploaded to his website RickyGervais.com:

No guest stars have been announced yet for the final episode - which is set to air in December this year - but Gervais has denied rumours of Madonna, David Beckham and Victoria “Posh Spice” Beckham.

So who could be appearing in the one hour finale? Gervais has previously mentioned Bruce Willis, Mickey Rooney, Dick Van Dyke and Arnold Schwarzenegger being on his wish list for a third series. On top of this, John Travolta agreed to guest star in the special after appearing on an episode of Friday Night With Jonathan Ross the same night as Gervais. Whether this means he will actually be in it remains to be seen.

Frankly, I’m a bit disappointed there won’t be a third series of Extras, as I felt he barely scratched the surface of possible story lines and guest stars. Oh well, at least the finale gives me a little more to look forward to. Perhaps an American version could be created? Blasphemous, I know, but The Office (US) turned out really well. However, to play my own devil’s advocate, I think half the beauty of the British one was the limit episodes and Gervais himself that drew in the big name stars. If they started pumping out 22 episodes a season with some unknown (or even known) lead it just wouldn’t be the same.

What are your thoughts? Who would you like to see guest star in the final episode? What do you think about an American version? You haven’t watched the show? You twat, go watch it now. And don’t come back till you’ve finished it all.