Peep Show - Series 1 [2003]

Mitchell and Webb have been performing together for some time and it really shows; their comedic timing and on-screen relationship allowing you to feel for Mark (Mitchell) and Jeremy (Webb) as they plunders through their lives, trying to find love, and sex.

But the real joy of the first series is in watching how their idea--to follow the story through the eyes of the two main protagonists, Mark and Jeremy--comes to fruition on screen. It's a marvellous concept that works so well, being both unique and riotously funny at the same time.

It's helped by a strong supporting cast--notably Olivia Colman (starring as Mark's lusted after colleague Sophie) who has since gone on to star in series such as the equally successful Green Wing.

Peep Show is unique, different and, most importantly of all, a hoot. And with a bunch of decent extras on the disc, this is well worth picking up.--Mark Oakley

Pure genius, much in the same way Pheonix Nights didn't quite get the recognition it deserved with it coming out at the same time as The Office, Peep Show may be overlooked by most with the mighty Little Britain being the peoples choice at the moment.

You can get a brief synopsis of the series in another review but it's simplicity allows you to get straight into it. Filmed in third person this wouldn't be anything special. Filmed in point of view style like this is makes it a classic. Hard to believe that a camera angle can make the difference but watch it and you literally find yourself in the character's places.

If you've never seen it, and like me missed the original airing, then buy it now, you won't be disappointed!


"They're laughing, Jeremy. They're having fun!"   December 18, 2004
Mr. S. Berry (Herts)
13 out of 14 found this review helpful

I was, I have to admit, quite dubious about this comedy series when I first saw trailers for it on television. Oh no, I thought, another sitcom with a so-called quirky gimmick (the point-of-view camerawork). However, it seems that this was just a stealthy way of sneaking a well-written sitcom under the radar at Channel 4, perhaps in order that the press releases could go on about it being "innovative" or something.

Because what you have here is very simply a superbly crafted - and very traditional - piece of work; the story of a couple of blokes living in a shared flat and their inability to get on with the opposite sex or even communicate properly with their neighbours and friends (the fact that we hear the inner voices of Jeremy and Mark, the protagonists, reinforces the discrepancy between what they think and what they say).

Largely a comedy about embarrassment and social mores, there are some stand-out scenes on this DVD worthy of being celebrated alongside the best of The Office or Men Behaving Badly (although this is more Men Behaving Sadly). Unfortunately, taking them out of context does this show no favours at all (Mark trying to extricate his hand which has inadvertantly become trapped under Sophie's bum on a bus seat, Jeremy exacting revenge on Mark by filling his bed with pork products that spell out the word "Judas", SuperHans requesting a pint of Guinness with "no logo" - see, it doesn't seem funny written down). But somehow it all seems to work. The performances are uniformly excellent, the scripting is tight and often takes off in surprising and pleasing directions (the lead actors also contribute, according to the credits, which makes sense as we live in their heads so much). The naturalistic style and lack of laughter track also help. After watching this I find it hard not to think in the voices of Mark and Jeremy myself; it's full of so many quotable lines.

My favourite sitcoms of recent years have been Phoenix Nights, Black Books, Father Ted, Spaced, League Of Gentlemen, The Royle Family and Alan Partridge. This strangely under-rated (and under-ratings-achieving) sitcom deserves to rank amongst them. A BAFTA for series two, I reckon.

The DVD presentation is sound, although I would've preferred more commentary (first and last episode doesn't really cover it, especially as episode three is one of the best), and the extras are worth a couple of views if you want to know more about the characters' wants.

So, if you like your humour to mix the vulgar and the pathetic in the most excruciating of ways, do splash out on this DVD. To not do so would be "a bad thing".