EXTRAS: IAN MCKELLEN (TV)

Summary

One in this comedy about wannabe actors trying to find fame while employed as extras. In this episode, Andy, Darren, and Barry watch a TV show excoriating “When the Whistle Blows.” Later, Andy asks to be signed up for a Shakespeare-based production. In the “Whistle” dressing room, Andy inadvertently insults the makeup woman when she asks for an autograph and he has to admit that he doesn’t know her name. Later, Steve Sherwood, a handsome school chum of Andy’s, stops by the set and starts hitting on all the ladies. Later, Darren sets up a meeting for Andy with Ian McKellen, who’s directing a new play, “A Month of Summers.” Back on the set, Darren asks Maggie for a date and she accepts. Despite Darren and Steve’s urging, Andy can’t come up with his own date. At Andy’s audition with Ian, he finds out that he’s being cast as a gay man, much to his disdain. Andy subsequently complains to Darren about the situation. At the play’s opening night, Steve and his cronies show up to support Andy, not realizing its subject matter. Shortly before curtain, Ian tells Andy to kiss the actor playing his lover as the Act Two closer, raising Andy’s ire. Elsewhere, Darren and Maggie have their date, which ends on a sour note due to bathroom issues. Back at the play, Andy struggles through his lines but refuses to allow the kiss, bringing the play to a premature close – and generating more negative reviews.

Details

• NETWORK: HBO
• DATE: February 11, 2007 10:00 PM
• RUNNING TIME: 0:28:56
• COLOR/B&W: Color
• CATALOG ID: B:90778
• GENRE: Comedy
• SUBJECT HEADING: Comedy; Satire; Actors
• SERIES RUN: HBO - TV series, 2005-2007
• COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

• Jon Plowman … Executive Producer
• Ricky Gervais … Executive Producer, Director , Writer
• Stephen Merchant … Executive Producer, Director, Writer
• Charlie Hanson … Producer
• Eirwen Davies … Line Producer
• Ricky Gervais … Cast, Andy Millman
• Ashley Jensen … Cast, Maggie Jacobs
• Stephen Merchant … Cast, Darren Lamb
• Shaun Williamson … Cast, Barry
• Guy Henry … Cast, Iain Morris
• Martin Savage … Cast, Damon Beesley
• Shaun Pye … Cast, Greg
• Ian McKellen … Cast, Himself
• Liza Tarbuck … Cast, Rita
• Sarah Moyle … Cast, Kimberley
• Andrew Buckley … Cast, Gobbler
• Jamie Chapman … Cast, Brains
• Gerald Kelly … Cast, Bunny
• Jonathan Cake … Cast, Steve Sherwood
• Sarah Preston … Cast, Make-up Woman
• Rufus Wright … Cast, Fran
• Nadia Williams … Cast, Third A.D.
• Anna Crilly … Cast, Woman
• Priyanga Burford … Cast, George
• Germaine Greer … Cast, Herself
• Mark Kermore … Cast, Himself
• Mark Lawson … Cast, Himself