>>I know 'you lot' hate Pegg..

That's generalising a bit isn't it? But I do, yes.

>>but can I just say I really like Spaced.

No you can't, but you can explain why you like it, and why other people *should* like it or at least give it a go. Otherwise there's not much point is there?

Isn't all the 'innovation' in Spaced just talking about the cut-scene animation stuff anyway? Hasn't cacky American stuff like Home Improvements been doing that for donkeys years?

I think the funniest thing about Simon Pegg is his name, sigh. Do I win my arrogant cynical twat badge now?

>>>I know 'you lot' hate Pegg..
>
>That's generalising a bit isn't it? But I do, yes.

"We" don't hate Pegg, "we" just don't think he's the saviour of comedy, that's all. Except Steven, who apparently hates him with a vengeance.

>>>but can I just say I really like Spaced.
>
>No you can't, but you can explain why you like it, and why other people *should* like it or at least give it a go. Otherwise there's not much point is there?

I like Spaced, it's great. (Apart from the last episode, which was crap.) Reasons forthcoming once I've watched it again.

>Isn't all the 'innovation' in Spaced just talking about the cut-scene animation stuff anyway? Hasn't cacky American stuff like Home Improvements been doing that for donkeys years?

Are we talking about the same thing here? I thought Home Improvements was just a cuddly family sitcom, Roseanne with less self-loathing.

>I think the funniest thing about Simon Pegg is his name, sigh. Do I win my arrogant cynical twat badge now?

Steven, you earned that yonks ago. Good on you, the world needs more cynicism (but preferably on Radio 5, not here)

Ewar's in the new series...

>>>>I know 'you lot' hate Pegg..
>>
>>That's generalising a bit isn't it? But I do, yes.
>
>"We" don't hate Pegg, "we" just don't think he's the saviour of comedy, that's all. Except Steven, who apparently hates him with a vengeance.

Sorry about the generalisation but I got the impression from a Corpse writer everyone on this forumm hated him

>>>>but can I just say I really like Spaced.
>>
>>No you can't, but you can explain why you like it, and why other people *should* like it or at least give it a go. Otherwise there's not much point is there?
>
>I like Spaced, it's great. (Apart from the last episode, which was crap.) Reasons forthcoming once I've watched it again.
>

My reasons for liking it: I find it funny, it makes me laugh.

Altogether now boys and girls:

>Sorry about the generalisation but I got the impression from a Corpse writer everyone on this forumm hated him

and not forgetting that campfire favourite:

>My reasons for liking it: I find it funny, it makes me laugh.

For God sake Stocky, I don't mind you liking Spaced, I would just appreciate some effort being put into why. And not just saying 'He makes me laugh' that doesn't explain anything, expalin WHY Spaced is good, what makes it good, why should we watch it?

I really like Hitler, because he's good.

Not something everyone would agree with, but I do gather this man had many friends over his one-testicled life time, just imagine, the guy actually went to the toilet? Can you imagine Hitler sitting on the toilet? How about sitting at home stroking a cat? Amazing isn't it? But he actually DID do these things, I expect.

Steven, you're in danger of sounding like a Viz news story.

But I appreciate what you're saying, it's just that my list of reasons why I like Spaced would look like the following:

* the music
* the camera effects (swooshing, zooming etc.)
* the visual effects (horror movie parodies)
* the weird characters (Nick Frost, Mark Heap)
* the film and TV references
* the naturalised lighting (blah blah drop-framing is evil blah blah)
* Bill Bailey
* etc.

All of these things should give you some guide as to whether you might like it, but at the end of the day, it's the atmosphere of the thing that makes it watchable. How do you get that across in words?

*sigh*

Here we go again...

I saw two episodes. I liked them. I thought the relationship between the two central characters was strong and a good basis for storylines.
I liked it's sense of reality. That is, it wasn't surreal in the cartoony way of, say Father Ted (which I also enjoyed) or real in the way of The Royle Family, but a kind of warped reality.
Given that I thought the effects were not style over content, I think they were appropriate to the writing. They added to the skewed vision.
Also, I thought strong performances from supporting cast - expecially Mark Heap.
Whatever, in the two episodes I saw it had the power to surprise me... which to my mind is essential for comedy. Hazy memory, but at least twice in each episode I would think "fuck, I wasn't expecting *that* to happen"

Now, why is it that you don't like it? In your own words?

Craig

>>But I appreciate what you're saying, it's just that my list of reasons why I like Spaced would look like the following:

* the music
* the camera effects (swooshing, zooming etc.)
* the visual effects (horror movie parodies)
* the weird characters (Nick Frost, Mark Heap)
* the film and TV references
* the naturalised lighting (blah blah drop-framing is evil blah blah)
* Bill Bailey
* etc.

So, not the jokes then? Sorry, getting sneery there. But I think I did watch about 4 episodes of Spaced, I wouldn't exactly say it was shit, but it certainly didn't make me laugh, and just seemed to be all based on studenty in-jokes and being 'atmospheric'. I mean, I don't like Pegg's acting style, his entire thing is just doing an 'awkward' voice, watch the Coogan 'Man who thinks he's it' vid and Big Train for lots of this.

I don't like comedy shows that are all effects driven, I like really cheap looking comedy shows that have that late 60's video quality to them. I didn't like all those special effects cut-scenes they stuck on, and yes I'm going to use the word 'dark' again.. the 'dark' characters like Mark Heap's, who was so incredibly dark and interesting because he didn't say much and lived in a dark room.

I seriously don't remember much of Spaced and haven't seen it since its broadcast, but I remember it not making me laugh at the time, and that is probably the most important thing. It wasn't necessarily crap, obviously preferable to another series of 'Something for the Weekend' or 'Eurotrash' or whatever new series Ch4 is desperatley peddling, but I couldn't say it was very funny, or even groundbreaking. Though I do think it was a little mean to start a big thread called 'What is the point of Simon Pegg' and openly diss him in his presence, I certainly think he is no more than a bog-standard comedy actor, but at least he did try and write his own show, which is a good thing, but I don't think it worked. Maybe he's a nice bloke and all that, but when I see him I just get this impression of him doing all these stand up comedy spots all through the early 90's with all his material about Scooby Doo and where do the missing socks go in washing machines, he just has those undertones for me.

Yes, but what is the point in Simon Pegg... actually very funny thread if i remember correctly - and he wasn't too bothered by it, was he? I doubt it would have bothered him, being famous and everything...

I found a video not too long ago with an episode on. Not as funny as i remember it being, but still pretty funny. Some pretty good observaton in the thing (the rave, i think, i can remember being good), despite all the 'style over substance' arguements.

Think i'll be watching it tonight. It's been a while..

>
>* the music
>* the camera effects (swooshing, zooming etc.)
>* the visual effects (horror movie parodies)
>* the weird characters (Nick Frost, Mark Heap)
>* the film and TV references
>* the naturalised lighting (blah blah drop-framing is evil blah blah)
>* Bill Bailey
>* etc.
>
>All of these things should give you some guide as to whether you might like it, but at the end of the day, it's the atmosphere of the thing that makes it watchable. How do you get that across in words?

I agree with all of the above. It's also a very well made programme, with an attention to detail which rewards repeated viewing. It's also well-paced, cleverly edited and well acted.

It is funny too- and even though Simon Pegg hasn't reinvented the comedy wheel, the fact a show like Spaced has been recomissioned is a good thing for well-made comedy programmes that don't need a laugh track or badly-lit three camera studio settings.

Even if you don't find it funny- a highly subjective criticism anyway- the effort lavished on its production/ direction sets it apart from a number of other 'sitcoms'.

>Even if you don't find it funny- a highly subjective criticism anyway-

What a stupid thing to say. I retract that bit.

Though I should also mention that a very well put together Spaced DVD (lots of extras, directors commentary etc etc) is due out soon, which should hopefully set some sort of benchmark for TV comedy releases.

I really enjoyed Spaced, and for the benefit of those who demand reasons I think Stuart O's summary covers most of the bases.

I particularly enjoyed it because under it's tricksyness and stylish flourishes it had a lot of heart - it wasn't cynical. I actually think the world needs less cynicism, not more. (That's cynicism as opposed to critical discernment.) I also found I could relate to its potrayal of twentysomething ennui. A lot of the humour sprang simply from that - recognition and empathy.

'In-jokes' ? Well maybe. But (even though I know they were underwhelmed by it) I'd cite the Corpses here. Why shouldn't a comedy show make jokes that not everyone can understand.

And yes - here we go again...