"Extras" Grand Finale this December

Andy Millman gave up his day job to pursue fame in the movies, only to find he couldn't land the big parts. Then things changed for the determined Andy, who became the star of a hit, albeit lowbrow, sitcom - only to discover success isn't all it seems. Now, desperate for respect, Andy is about to take drastic measures that will turn his life upside down.

The Emmy(r)-winning HBO comedy series concludes its second season with an 80-minute episode when EXTRAS: THE EXTRA SPECIAL SERIES FINALE debuts SUNDAY, DEC. 16 (9:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO. Like every other episode in the series, the finale was written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant (creators of the Golden Globe-winning BBC comedy series "The Office").

Other HBO playdates: Dec. 19 (8:30 p.m., 4:10 a.m.), 22 (11:50 p.m.), 23 (4:30 p.m.), 25 (7:30 p.m.), 28 (12:30 a.m.) and 31 (10:30 a.m.), and Jan. 3 (6:30 p.m.), 5 (12:30 p.m.), 7 (10:00 p.m.) and 13 (4:15 p.m.).

HBO2 playdates: Dec. 24 (11:55 p.m.), 25 (2:15 a.m.) and 30 (4:00 a.m.).
"Fame is a mask that eats into the face - even a pug-nosed face," says Ricky Gervais. "Andy Millman is now a big star. He has a hit TV show, a brand-new hot-shot agent and a multi-million-dollar mansion. But it's not enough."

EXTRAS stars Ricky Gervais (recent Emmy(r) winner for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series) as Andy Millman. The cast also features Stephen Merchant as Andy's incompetent agent; Ashley Jensen ("Ugly Betty") as Maggie Jacobs, Andy's friend and former fellow extra; and Shaun Williamson ("EastEnders") as another unfortunate client of Andy's agent.

Guest stars in EXTRAS: THE EXTRA SPECIAL SERIES FINALE include singer George Michael, actor Clive Owen, chef Gordon Ramsay, TV host Jonathan Ross and actor David Tennant.

The first season of EXTRAS launched in Sept. 2005, while the second season launched last January. New York's Daily News called it "fabulously funny" and the Washington Post described the show as "yet another roguish triumph for Gervais." TV Guide said, "EXTRAS is a winner," and the San Francisco Chronicle hailed the show as "wickedly funny" and "searingly original." Guests in past episodes included Kate Winslet, Patrick Stewart, David Bowie, Orlando Bloom, Ian McKellen and Daniel Radcliffe.

In addition to the Emmy(r) for Ricky Gervais, the second season of EXTRAS received Emmy(r) nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Ian McKellen), Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series (Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant), and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant). Season one of the series also received four Emmy(r) nominations, including two for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (Patrick Stewart, Ben Stiller), Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (Kate Winslet) and Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant).

EXTRAS: THE EXTRA SPECIAL SERIES FINALE was written and directed by Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant; producer, Charlie Hanson; executive produced by Jon Plowman.