Modern Classic (Spaced)

Member Name: pbyron

Product:	Spaced
Date:	06/02/03 (1018 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny, orginal stories, Great acting

Disadvantages: None

The far-from-unusual story of two people who find themselves having to pretend they are a 'professional couple' in order to secure a nice flat is turned into something far more surreal and entertaining when penned by Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson for Channel 4. What it becomes is something resembling 80's hit The Young Ones with a 90's twist.

The plot revolves around the two housemates, Daisy Steiner and Time Bisley, who have a certain love hate relationship and the mix of them together with their oddball friends like Mike the man obsessed with guns and the army make for some fantastic and classic TV moments.

Spaced is a sitcom with a difference. It's fresh and funny, yet reminds you of the old days when they used to make quality sitcoms all the time. A bit like Ally McBeal, there are strange interludes in the story where a character has flashbacks or dream sequences. Most notable is the episode where Tim plays far too much Resident Evil 2 while spaced out on drugs and ends up thinking everyone around him is a zombie, which goes down really well at an art party that Daisy and Tim attend! If it sounds weird, then it's because it is and much more entertaining than the usual run of the mill sitcoms.

It's not just the plots that make this modern classic so watchable and different, the way that the actors react to their situations and their constant play with the camera (think Moonlighting) will have you in stitches. The other cast members are equally bizzarre and entertaining too.

So who's in the house?


Tim Bisley - Played by Simon Pegg
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Tim specialises in Graphic Art, which he tries to sell to the comics companies. While he waits for success, he works in a Comic shop, for owner Bilbo. Tim has a close friend called Mike, who is mad on the army.

Daisy Steiner - Played by Jessica Stevenson
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Daisy is a would-be writer for any magazine that would take her articles. Her best friend, Twist, is a fashion victim who loves to shop.

Mike Watt
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Due to an undisclosed (well, until the second season) incident, Mike is unable to join the Army and makes do with the TA's until he is booted out due to an incident with a Tank and Eurodisney. Nevertheless, Mike is mad about the army and can always be found wearing his uniform. Mike and Tim have been best friends since they were young.

Twist Morgan
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Into fashion in a big way, Twist works in clothes (well, at the dry cleaners) and is best friends with Daisy.

Marsha Klein
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Marsha is the landlady at Tim and Daisy's flat. She has a thing for red wine and also for Brian, who tries to avoid her at every cost. Her daughter, Amber, can often be heard shouting at her mother or storming out of the house.

Brian Topp
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Brian is an artist who lives downstairs from Tim and Daisy. He tends to be very introvert until he paints. He is also....strange.


Channel 4 are willing to take risks and this one has really paid off, now planning for its 3rd series, Spaced just seems to get better and better. It's finding new audiences with every repeat though the 3rd season is rumoured to be the last as Simon and Jessica don't want the series becoming stale.

The good news is that the whole of series 1 and 2 is now available on video and DVD, the DVD having loads of deleted scenes and a fantastic commentary from the stars which adds a whole new dimension to the storyline of each episode. These feature all the episodes and some fantastic menus (particularly season 2, which has some great artwork of the characters). You should be able to pick these up for around £18.99 each.

I'd recommend Spaced to anyone fleeing from Eastenders or the miriad of other
plain soaps around, or anyone just trying to find something new and original.

Summary: