"Peep Show" (2003) TV series 2003-????

User Rating:

9.5/10   

Creators:

Jesse Armstrong
Sam Bain
Andrew O'Connor

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5

Release Date:

19 September 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Welcome to the private world of Jeremy and Mark - two very ordinary weirdos.

Plot:

Mark and Jez are a couple of twenty-something roommates who have nothing in common - except for the fact that their lives are anything but normal. Mayhem ensues as the pair strive to cope with day-to-day life.

Plot Keywords:

Marriage Proposal | Point Of View | Inner Voice | British Comedy | Cynicism

Awards:

4 wins & 10 nominations

Cast

David Mitchell	...	Mark Corrigan (30 episodes, 2003-2008)
Robert Webb	...	Jeremy Osborne (30 episodes, 2003-2008)
Olivia Colman	...	Sophie Chapman (24 episodes, 2003-2008)
Matt King	...	Super Hans (18 episodes, 2003-2008)
Neil Fitzmaurice	...	Jeff Heaney (14 episodes, 2003-2008)

Runtime:

30 min (including commercials) (30 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Canterbury House, Sydenham Road, Croydon, Surrey, England, UK

Company:

Objective Productions

Trivia:

'Peep Show' was originally set to be called 'POV', after the show's Point-of-view perspective. The idea however was scrapped as writers 'Jesse Armstrong' and Sam Bain felt that the title would make the show sound 'too gimmicky'.

Quotes:

Jeremy Osborne: Well, he gave you the keys.
Mark Corrigan: No, he forgot the keys after the pub. Then he called to put me in charge of the keys until he reclaims the keys.
Jeremy Osborne: It's probably an initiative test. Will you... walk like some kind of stupid duck or will you drive like... Clarkson?

Movie Connections:

Featured in The British Comedy Awards 2006 Live (2006) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Flagpole Sitta

Dry humour that'll make you laugh...

...and also consider how strange your own life can be, how unusual your own thoughts and reasoning seem when viewed through the eyes of another. The idea is much more than a gimmick; it forms the backbone and provides a lot of the most hilarious and often shocking moments of the show.

Like all good concepts that are given a successful platform to work from, you wonder why the idea wasn't more popular beforehand. Webb and Mitchell have a dark, dry sense of humour that will appeal only to certain individuals not so bound by convention, somewhat bohemian if you will. People not afraid to admit that their own thoughts and actions can seem completely bizarre when given a different perspective.

To really appreciate the show you definitely have to put yourself in the shoes of the two leads. You have to share in their shame, humiliations and triumphs - literally getting out what you put in. This is no soap opera that you tune into so that you can tune out, this is one that demands your full attention.

Webb and Mitchell have a lot of calibre as actors as this show is obviously very difficult to film, being as it is almost entirely filmed through the eyes of the duo. A lot of tricky close camera situations and complex edits are used and work seamlessly.

It certainly won't appeal to everyone - if it did it wouldn't be a very good show would it? - but those ready for challenging, dynamic television should buy the first two seasons on DVD and enjoy.