Extras

The second series of the Gervais/Merchant sitcom Extras, in which, once again, Merchant and Barry-off-EastEnders steal the proverbial show. The first disc contains all six episodes - presented via some fun and attractive menus themed around 'When the Whistle Blows'. The second disc is packed full of the usual array of quality bonus features you'd expect from a Gervais and Merchant DVD release. The second disc features a number of bonuses...

Extras Backstage: 1 hour of interviews, trivia and backstage footage broken up into six chapters. If you're a fan of the series then there's plenty of new tidbits of info to gain from this documentary - for instance did you know Sir Ian McKellen had terrible trouble completing his scenes as he couldn't stop laughing.

Outtakes: Eight minutes of funny mistakes.

Taping Nigel II: The Gimpening: One of the highlights of the disc. This 20 plus minute feature continues where the last DVD left off - Ricky Gervais dresses up and harasses series editor Nigel Williams in more and more inventive ways. This series' pranks include taping Nigel up as a slug and making him run down the street eating breakfast cereal out of a box. Looking at all the mucking about and distractions it's amazing Extras was ever prepared for broadcast!

The Art of Corpsing: An entertaining analysis of the problems associated with involuntarily laughing out loud at the same point in the script each time. Series two was apparently a nightmare to film - one particular two minute scene took three hours to complete because Gervais and Keith Chegwin got themselves in a frustrating position when they'd automatically corpse at a particular line.

Easter Eggs: If you search about a bit there's two short but quality hidden extras. One is a sketch featuring the Newsnight Review team being rude about Extras in front of Gervais and the second you have to see to appreciate - it's The Agent and Barry-off-EastEnders dancing to Five Star's System Addict - sweatbands and all!

First released: Sunday 25th March 2007