Absolutely brilliant, mate
We just finished watching all 6 episodes of the BBC/HBO mini series Extras (HBO site). In a row. It's that good.
It's written and directed by the same duo that wrote and directed the British version of The Office, Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.
Flat out, those two are the best writers in television today. Gervais might be the best sitcom actor working in England or America. It hasn't aired on the U.S. HBO yet, but when it does (Sept. 25th)...catch it. Or find the torrents and download it. Or bribe me to burn you a DVD. Just see this show, it's genius. Smart and subtle and base and high brow all in the same show. Gervais stars as Andy Millman, an extra who desperately wants to be a lead. Ashley Jensen co-stars as dim-witted, slightly slutty but well-meaning friend and fellow extra Maggie Jacobs, and Merchant plays the absolutely talentless agent who can't get poor Andy a day's work in anything with a speaking part. Don't miss Ben Stiller in Episode 1, doing the best David Brent that no one will ever catch unless they obsessed over The Office. Another highlight: Jean Luc Picard going on about his idea for a titty movie.
Pure brilliance. Must see television.