Papa’s Basement 12-19-11-The Duggars And Their Dead Baby
I’ve been utterly fascinated with the Duggar family ever since they appeared on my radar a few days ago for snapping photos of themselves fondling their miscarried child. (“Fondle” doesn’t […]
In the pantheon of brilliant television comedies, one show stands above all others. Its name? The Larry Sanders Show. That said, Peep Show (a Britcom, but don’t hold that against it) is in my all-time top five and currently streaming on Netflix, which is a good thing, because the British have never bothered to release the show on a DVD compatible with our fat, lazy American players. Perhaps they assumed that we’ve spent too many hours eating fast food and gazing upon the slaves we still own from under the brim of our ten gallon hats to have cultivated intellects powerful enough to enjoy their brand of comedy, which, as far as I can tell, translates to well-written dick jokes spoken with that foppish accent.
Look, all you need to know to enjoy British television is that: 1. They call it a “series”, not a “season” and 2. There’s only one commercial break and it comes in the middle of the show. All caught up? Good. Now let’s talk about what makes Peep Show so damn excellent.
PS tells the tale of two hopeless beta males, Mark Corrigan (David Mitchell) and Jeremy “Jez” Usbourne (Robert Webb), as roommates who toil through their unsatisfying day-to-day lives as a desk drone and unemployed musician, respectfully. In the annals of television friendships between two men, this is perhaps the most believable. Mark and Jez desperately resent each others’ scant successes (especially those of a romantic nature), delight in each others’ misery and have no compunction about screwing one another over for even the slightest benefit. Yet, in spite of that, the duo honestly care for each other, and, as every other one of their relationships inevitably fails, you realize they are meant to be (in a hetero life-partner sort of way).
What makes Peep Show tick beyond the almost-stifling plausibility of its characters and the situations they inhabit is the sharpness of the writing. You will be laughing within moments of watching the first moments of the first episode. Because not only are the writers absurdly talented, but they take the time to develop each character and allow them to be funny in way specific to them.
Have you watched a prime time American sitcom recently? It’s okay to admit it, I’m not going to judge you (yes I will). Each character takes turns firing off one-lines with the speed and delivery of a comedian. That’s not how real people function. What’s worse, it destroys any individuality a character might have. If everyone is talking in the same manner and speaking the same words, why would I be excited by or identify with any one of them? Peep Show lets its denizens be funny in a way unique to each of them, and the show is richer for it.
Last month, I wrote this piece about ten movies to watch via Netflix during Thanksgiving. Well, I nominate Peep Show for the task of amusing you during Christmas. Give it a try. I’m sure you’ll love it. And, if you don’t, write me a letter saying why. Don’t worry, crayon is acceptable. You dolt.
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