Wednesday, August 15, 2007

Peep Show: "Seinfeld" Meets "The Office" Meets "Being John Malkovich"


On the recommendation of some friends from San Francisco, I added this BBC Comedy to my Netflix queue. My life has never been the same. I honestly think this show is as brilliant as "Seinfeld" or "The Office," and I now feel obligated to tell everyone about it.

The premise is simple. Mark works at a credit agency and his friend, Jeremy ("Jez") leeches off his resources. Together, they embark on the exciting adventures of near-middle-aged single men (i.e. constantly trying to have sex with the women around them) but are continuously frustrated by their own insecurities and, inevitably, doomed to stay unhappy. The show's unique conceit is that every single episode is shot in first-person perspective of the characters' while the audience hears that character's inner monologue. At its best, it offers a troubling, insightful window into the darkness of the male mind.

Like "Seinfeld," one of the show's overall messages that of modern sexual alienation. But the situations and thoughts that the character's get themselves in are so relatable that the ensuing disasters are nothing short of hilarious.

This scene should give you a good idea. Enjoy:


RSS Readers: Click here to view the video

The first season is available from Amazon here.

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