20 best original songs from TV, from The Simpsons to Empire
By Sundi Rose
“Chubby Little Loser”
The show: Extras
This show was one of those woefully underrated shows that probably should have gotten far more eyeballs than it did. Conceived by Ricky Gervais for HBO (and the BBC), it follows the lives of a handful of actors that mostly only perform as extras in television, film and theatre. Gervais plays the lead, Andy Millman, who muddles through his professional life taking bit parts and background roles.
Andy finally gets a bit of success by landing a bit part in a B-level sitcom on the BBC, but is unprepared for how hokey and catchphrase-laden it would be. Instead of enjoying the success, he feels like a bit of a sell out, and because he doesn’t feel compelled, at all, to be liked or courteous, his grumblings are irksome and wearying.
Best of the best: “Chubby Little Loser (Little Fat Man)” (“David Bowie,” season 2)
David Bowie produced many, many incredible songs, but his contribution to this episode of Extras proved he’s got chops of all sorts. He guest stars as himself in the second episode of the second season, and turns the tables on Andy’s ridiculous melancholy.
Andy just happens upon Bowie in the VIP section of a bar and inexplicably begins to unfurl his emotional baggage. Forever the gentleman, Bowie listens politely, only turning away when inspiration hits. He swivels to the conveniently located piano right behind him, and begins to extemporaneously compose a burning roast of Gervais’s character.
Best lyric(s):
“Pathetic little fat man
No one’s bloody laughing
The clown that no one laughs at
They all just wish he’d die”