Extras Season 2: Season Grade: A- Special Features: B+

Andy Millman is back, and he's successful. Not so much according to critics, of course, but loved by the common man. Season two of Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant's "Extras" centers itself on Millman and his critically reviled, ratings-winning sitcom "When the Whistle Blows." It's both more madcap and more grounded than season one. \nSeason two's success has a lot to do with letting the characters, rather than the situations, run the show. During the first season it was easy to dislike Millman, his friend Maggie and his agent Darren (much as it was to hate David Brent in "The Office"). The second season, on the other hand, humanizes the characters while still managing to be mostly hilarious.\nThe producers upped the ante on guest stars this season, with every episode featuring a showbiz heavy-hitter or two willing to lampoon themselves on camera. Daniel Radcliffe, David Bowie and Ian McKellen are side-splitting highlights; and Chris Martin, Orlando Bloom and a brief appearance by Robert DeNiro don't disappoint. A host of British celebs also make appearances, but most of them will be lost on the U.S. audience, aside from the members fortunate enough to have the BBC America channel.\nThere are a few amusing bonus features on this set, most of which involve the cast and crew cracking up on set. Gervais' natural outbursts of mad laughter are hilarious, but the majority of the supplemental material here is just wicked self-indulgence. A few deleted scenes and outtakes are also included, but there's nothing terribly illuminating. Don't miss "Taping Nigel: The Gimpening," a bizarre look at the interplay between Gervais and his editor. \nThe arc of the season finds Millman trying to reconcile his dreams of creating a meaningful comedy series and earning the respect of his peers versus pandering for ratings and the cash that comes with them. It's a dilemma all successful artists have to deal with at some point, and it's tackled here with grace, wit and hilarity.