"Spaced" (1999) TV series 1999-2001

User Rating:

9.4/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

24 September 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy

Plot:

The adventures of Tim and Daisy who rent a room in Marsha Klein's house under the pretense that they are a couple...

Plot Keywords:

Dog | Landlady | Animal In Cast Credits | British TV | Generation X

Awards:

2 wins & 5 nominations

Cast

Jessica Hynes	...	Daisy Steiner (14 episodes, 1999-2001)
Simon Pegg	...	Tim Bisley (14 episodes, 1999-2001)
Julia Deakin	...	Marsha Klein (14 episodes, 1999-2001)
Nick Frost	...	Mike Watt (14 episodes, 1999-2001)
Mark Heap	...	Brian Topp (14 episodes, 1999-2001)
Katy Carmichael	...	Twist Morgan (10 episodes, 1999-2001)
Aida the Dog	...	Colin (8 episodes, 1999-2001)

Runtime:

27 min (14 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:MA (some episodes) | UK:12 (some episodes) | UK:15 (some episodes) | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Alexandra Park, Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way, Muswell Hill, London, England, UK

Company:

Paramount Comedy Channel

Trivia:

The opening of episode 1.7 was originally intended to feature Tim having a conversation with a fictional character. Originally, this was intended to be Lara Croft, the heroine of the 'Tomb Raider' video game series, but the writers were not granted clearance to use the character. The scene was reworked to feature FBI agent Dana Scully of the TV show "The X Files" (1993) and the producers had even considered approaching Gillian Anderson, (Dana Scully), to fill the role, but the scene was eventually filmed with a lookalike. Writer and star Jessica Hynes was going to dub the voice of Scully, but the scene was cut and never completed.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Shaun of the Dead: EPK Featurette (2004) (V)

All comedies should be like this

Having just watched this series again, I am prepared to say that "Spaced" is definitely one of the greatest comedy shows EVER!

Funny, striking, imaginative, clever, compassionate, sarcastic, inventive, etc, etc, etc. You get the impression that co-stars and co-writers, Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, just cannot write a boring line of dialogue or envisage a predictable scene. Using its "nothing new" premise (mismatched couple pretend to be romantically entangled to find a place to live), this show twists and turns its way off into many brilliant and original directions, while never failing to provide the required belly laughs along the way.

It uses movie in-jokes and references in a way that would make Tarantino envious, and the hipness of its execution makes it both a show that, paradoxically, is of the moment but is also certain to be talked about in ten or twenty years from now.

The cast are all first-rate: Pegg and Stevenson manage to be both madcap and touching, and are backed up by a sterling supporting cast of fresh and exciting talent. Julia Deakin as Marsha, the flirtatious middle-aged landlady and Mark Heap as the pretentious but vulnerable artist from hell, Brian, make a hilarious double act; Nick Frost is a real find as military mad Mike; and Katy Carmichael as the initially snobby Twist manages to be dotty without turning up the annoyance factor.

Even the guest appearances are great. My two personal favourites are Michael Smiley as the chemically enhanced Tyres O'Flaherty, a non-stop raver who even dances to the ringing of a telephone; and the excellent Charles Dale (II), who is usually cast as the heavy, but gives a marvellous comic performance here as the "yes man" security guard who helps our bumbling heroes rescue their beloved pooch, Colin, from an evil freelance vivisectionist!

Credit must also be given to director Edgar Wright who has created a unique and vivid look to the show, enhancing the script's wired look at the banalities of everyday life with his brilliant use of camera movement, lighting, cross-cutting, flashbacks, etc. Even if it wasn't funny (which it most emphatically is), "Spaced" would get top marks for being the best looking show on the box.

I could go on, but "Spaced" is a comedy that needs to be seen to be believed, and then seen again...and again...and again...