I actually liked the Orlando Bloom episode more, but this one was still pretty funny.

Wow, forgot these were being reshown on HBO. I had watched them all during the British run. This season wasn't quite as strong as the first one, but this episode had some great moments. The Orlando Bloom episode was really good though.

I was watching Extras on HBO last night, having already seen the episode when it aired on BBC several months ago.

To my surprise, some of the dialogue had changed -- a reference to Billie Piper was replaced by one to Hallie Berry. And it wasn't just dubbed in -- you could tell that they'd filmed the scene twice with the different dialogue.

Have there been any other changes between the UK version the US version of the shows? Are any more planned?

That's pretty weak.

I dont know about "weak." It is an HBO co-production, so if the scene was intentionally filmed for a US audience, I dont see the problem. Gervais is certainly the kind of guy who wouldnt compromise unless he wanted to- Hell, thats what the whole second series of Extras is about.

Oddly enough, I actually think Halle Berry works better in that joke. It is sort of odd that they would change that one reference, though, when there are so many other Anglo-centric references in the show that go over my head.

There was another one in last night's show (2/4).

In the original version:

In the US version:

The US version wasn't great, but it was better than the UK gag which made ZERO sense to me...even after somebody explained it on this board.

Well, being a person who doesn't get the appeal of Coldplay or Chris Martin's voice, I still would have preferred the alternative.

When he started singing in his "Are you having a laugh?" voice, I thought it was hysterically funny. I also really liked that he essentially sold them "The Office" and they turned it into "When The Whistle Blows." I loved the "When the Whistle Blows" opening credits.

Anyone know if anything in the US DVD release of the first season was changed?

I don't know about the R1 DVD, but I watched the first season on both HBO and the R2 DVD set and didn't notice any differences.

I only caught the second season. Too bad I really liked this show. Very dry Britsh humor. Anyone now how many total episodes there were?

Twelve episodes.

I'd like to catch up with this show on HBO. Is there an arc to the story, or is it okay to just jump right in? I guess I'm asking if I should start watching random episodes or wait for the DVD box set.

^Watch them in order.

I just heard there will be a special to wrap up the series like they did with The Office.

We need to have a general thread in Feedback explaining the why's of unexplained name changes by the Mods.

Thank goodness. While the 2nd season finale didn't leave as much dangling as The Office's season 2 finale did, it still could use some closure.

Ricky has the shortest attention span ever.

Time for the American version. Coming next fall to NBC.

Yeah, I hear Matt LeBlanc has some time on his hands....

Gervais is keeping one of the main rules of showbiz in mind: Always leave them wanting more.

Personally I think he could have probably gotten another 6 out of the concept without running it into the ground, but if the next thing he does is as good as Office UK and Extras, so be it.

Man, give me a reason not to watch!

I still want an Andy doll. Are you having a laugh.

You could jump right in, but you'd get more laughs if you watch them in order since there is an arc to the show. While you'd be able to pick up the story pretty easily, some of the jokes work better if you've seen the previous episodes.

Sucks that it's over. At least we'll get a special. Extras and The Office are far and away some of the best comedy I've ever seen on tv.

I really enjoyed the show, but I'm not at all surprised that Gervais is done with it and ending it The Office route. I'm glad it's getting a one-off (maybe he'll finally land Leo for a cameo), but I really really wish Gervais would do more episodes of a series than 13. I mean we got more than thirteen podcasts from Gervais, why can't we get more than thirteen episodes of a series?