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Spaced - Definitive Collectors' Edition
Spaced is a sitcom like no other. The premise is simple enough: Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) and Tim (Simon Pegg) are out of luck and love, so pretend to be a couple in order to rent a flat together. Downstairs neighbour and eccentric painter Brian suspects someone's fibbing, and almost blows their cover with their lecherous lush of a landlady, Marsha. Fortunately he soon falls for Daisy's health-freak friend Twist, while Daisy herself goes ga-ga for pet dog Colin. Tim remains happily platonic with lifemate Mike; a sweet-at-heart guns 'n' ammo obsessive. The series is chock-full of pop culture references. In fact, each episode is themed after at least one movie, with nods to The Shining and Close Encounters of the Third Kind proving especially hilarious. Hardly five minutes goes by without a Star Wars reference, and every second of screen time from Bill Bailey as owner of the comic shop where Tim works is comedic gold. The look of the series is its other outstanding element, with slam-zooms, dizzying montages, and inspired lighting effects (often paying homage to the Evil Dead movies). It's an affectionate fantasy on the life of the twenty-something that's uncomfortably close to the truth. The second series finds the gang at 23 Meteor Street a little older, but definitely none the wiser. Tim's career is hampered by severe hang-ups over The Phantom Menace. Daisy's career is just plain non-existent. There is still a spark of sexual tension between them, but it's overshadowed by Brian and Twist getting it on. Propelling the seven-episode series arc is the threat of Marsha discovering that none of the relationships are what they seem, Mike's increasing jealousy and a new love interest for Tim. That's the basis for a never-ending stream of in-jokes and references that easily match the quality of the first series. Tim has a Return of the Jedi flashback, then déjà vu in reliving the end of The Empire Strikes Back. There are spoofs of One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Robocop, The Sixth Sense and comedy rival The Royle Family. There are guest spots from Bill Bailey, Peter (voice of Darth Maul) Serafinowicz and The League of Gentlemen's Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith. Every episode is packed with highlights, but this series' guaranteed geek pant-wetting moments have to be the mock gun battles, slagging off Babylon 5 and learning that "The second rule of Robot Club is: no smoking." Jessica Stevenson won a British Comedy Award for this year. It deserved a whole lot more. --Paul Tonks
RRP: £29.99
Our Price: £10.39 (subject to change)
Editorial
Amazon.co.uk Review
Comedy at it's best
Review date: 2008-06-18 Rating: 10 out of 10
This is one of my all time favourite shows. A must have for any self respecting sci-fi fan and comedy lover. Show to show it gets better and better and has one of the most satisfying ends to a tv show.
It follows the adventures of a group of 20 somethings that you will undoubtedly have more in common with than Ross or Rachel. Tim and Daisy's will they won't they really reveals the real meaning of friendship and relationships.
Shaun of the Dead is one of my fav movies so my expectations for this were fairly low because of what it had to compete with but my God the utter hilarity. It is genius, the nods to a million and one movies, to Tim's constant hatred of phantom menace, to random nods to grange hill and the royle family will have you in stitches.
Television at its finest, do not hesititate to buy it.
God help us when the US version airs:(
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Reviews
Comedy Brilliance!!!!! *****
Review date: 2008-04-25 Rating: 10 out of 10
To make things simple and not write an essay like most reviewers, if you like Simon Pegg, like Nick Frost and Shaun Of The Dead then you might aswell just buy the Spaced boxset, just pure hillarious the whole way through and only ten quid. Bargain !!!
I cant believe I never knew about it before!!!
Review date: 2008-03-27 Rating: 10 out of 10
I bought Sapced being a Simon Pegg fan, and I kinda expected it to be just OK, but not too brilliant as it was in the early stages of his career. I also never wathced it when it was on TV so I thought for the price I'd give it a go.
I began watching the firt series the day it arrived and had finished it by the end of that day (haha how sad, but I was on holiday so had nothing else to do!) It's soo gripping and hilarious! I cant beleive I hadn't heard of it before when it was on TV, and I cant beleive how underrated it must have been due to its low popularity when it was out. It's a fantastic sitcom for all viewers even if you don't like comics or games (like me) but are just looking for a laugh. The chracters are fantasticly eccentric in their own individual ways and you end up getting really attached to them and I love how they all unite to save Colin!! Haha! Pure genius, buy it if you love Simon Pegg or British humor!
Disco fudge
Review date: 2008-02-08 Rating: 10 out of 10
I'm 21 and Spaced was filmed seven years ago and I still love it. It has stood the test of time, so far anyway, and I don't see it loosing steam. The only thing that I would change is that there was more of it to love. Than again no one wants to watch a favorite go stale so maybe its better this way. Either way buy it, watch it, love it, thank watch it again!
Its "a sandwich of fun on ecstacy bread wrapped up in like a big bag of disco fudge"- Tyres, Spaced.
Never have Jaffa Cakes been referenced so beautifully...
Review date: 2008-01-01 Rating: 10 out of 10
If you're a fan of spectacular comedy writing, this dvd is for you.
If you're a follower of film, television or computer games, this dvd is for you.
If you're a lover of cleverly directed, brilliantly shot material, if you're into watching loveable, complex but completely believable characters, this dvd is for you.
If, however, you're idea of a good night in is sitting down to canned laughter, obvious plotlines and poorly thought out gags, dont go near it.
Spaced is, without a doubt, one of the all time greats when it comes to entertaining a vast range of audiences. Yes, it's surely been enjoyed by "skateboarders" the world over, but not because of too many head traumas (how many IS too many, by the way?).
Pegg and Hynes (nee Stevenson) created an instantly relateable double-series that has become a must-have for fans of comedy. Wright's direction brings a sparkle to the already glittering script, with his quick witted and dynamic style working in perfect harmony with the tone of the show.
The cast could not be bettered - Pegg and Hynes fulfil the lead roles of Tim Bisley and Daisy Steiner with unfaltering dedication and skill, and no matter what storyline they tackle they never fail to be utterly 3-dimensional; I defy anyone to dislike these characters. Katy Carmichael's 'Twist Morgan' is endearingly bitchy, Julia Deakin's 'Marsha Klein' brings a gloriously bitter edge to the group and 'Brian Topp', played by Mark Heap, somehow manages to win the audience's heart with an often childlike vulnerability that shines through his tortured-artist persona. Nick Frost, now renowned as a great comic actor, proves his mettle in an early triumph as Mike Watt, Tim's weapon-obsessed childhood friend.
In fact, one of the most addictive things about Spaced is the relationships explored through the show. The group begins as a number of individuals, but quickly evolves into a tightly knit gang that could thrive for three times as long as they do. But Pegg, Hynes, Wright and the rest of the cast do what so many shows have failed to in the past - quit while they're ahead. Two series will never be enough, but at least we are safe in the knowledge that we will never be disappointed.
The Definitive Collector's Edition is just that - it is a set of perfectly preserved episodes that stand firm either alone or as a collective. The Skip To The End documentary is a joy for those who want a glimpse of the creative process behind the programme, and an abundance of outtakes will keep the deadest of souls laughing for hours.
Really the greatest thing about the series is, in the words of the illustrious Tim Bisley and Daisy Steiner -
Daisy: We live in a fantasy world, Tim. We've just constructed this fake utopia where y'know we never get old and never have to face the responsibilities of adulthood. We're just stretching our childhoods out as far as they can go.
Tim: Yeah, I know. We're lucky aren't we?
You know what? We are.
Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Jessica Stevenson
Simon Pegg
Julia Deakin
Director(s):
Recording label: Channel 4 DVD
Manufacturer: Channel 4 DVD
EAN: 6867441007098
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 3
Format: PAL,
Release date: 2006-08-14
Aspect ratio: 1.77:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
Region code: 2
Language: English (Original Language)
Brand: Generic