Extra, Extra!

 


Whenever I get bored with a movie or television show, I start looking at the extras. I try and keep track of how many times an extra walks into the scene. Sometimes, the first walk they'll be alone, then maybe they'll be with someone the next time. I get annoyed with CSI, any CSI, as the mc's talk while people walk in the background with clipboards trying to look important, as if they are on a mission, although they just wander back and forth. I always wonder what extras talk about when they are sitting behind the action? AI says they repeat, "Peas and carrots." I'm going to remember that. I heard they are told not to be animated and try to act naturally. I recently saw a story about the infamous scene in Modern Family where an extra, a woman was sitting by herself, but was pretending to talk to an invisible entity. And who can forget the scene in, 'North by Northwest,' in the lodge where Eva Marie Saint shoots Cary Grant? A boy covers his ears seconds before the gun goes off. 

Here's an article from BuzzFeed with 28 extras who ruined a scene. Very funny stuff.

Besides looking at extras, I look at scenery. Sometimes I feel a sense of deja vue as if I've been here before, and sometimes I have. If you have ever watched, 'The Walton's' and 'The Gilmore Girls,' you'll recognize the Walton home is also the Dragonfly Inn. 

'Desperate Housewives' used the same set as 'The Munsters.'

Oh, this one is crazy. In the episode, 'Miri,' from 'Star Trek,' the town of Mayberry is used. 

'Mike and Molly,' used the house of 'Roseanne,' and 'Everybody Loves Raymond,' used Archie Bunker's house in the pilot. 

The movie, 'Die Hard' and 'Speed,' used Fox Plaza, the corporate headquarters in their movies. 

One of the most used locations is the Vasquez Rocks in North Hollywood. I can see why they are used in so many films. It's a great backdrop which always gives me a sense that there are otherworldly things going on. Or, maybe it's because Star Trek has used them, but so have the Muppets and numerous cowboys. Unfortunately you don't get a lot of extras walking around in the background so your focus usually stays on the main characters and the rocks.

'Third Rock from the Sun,' 'The Cosby Show' and 'Home Improvement,' all shared the same basement. 


So next time to start to lose interest in the plot, look around. You might find a good blooper such as the fake sweeper in the movie, 'Quantum of Solace.'

Comments

ex-ferrer said…
It irks me when suspects or witnesses on Law & Order can't stop what they're doing for 2 minutes to talk to the cops. They continue stacking sacks of cement or whatever while they are interviewed! Who does that IRL?? Cops always want to talk to me, not because I'm a person of interest, but rather, because I'm an interesting person! And I give them the respect of my FULL ATTENTION!
November 30, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Maggie said…
Ha! That's true. Next time a cop wants to talk to you start dancing. See how long they tolerate that. 😊
November 30, 2025 at 12:07 PM
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