Peep Show rewatch

[Ferris]

I liked all of it, equally. It vacillated between the absurd and the mundane, doing both very well. I didn't feel out of place with either extreme, tbh. Even the eps/seasons that people reckon aren't as good still have their moments and the writing/performance make them eminently (re)watchable, regardless which end of the absurd-mundane matrix they are veering toward.

Anyway, first 2 eps. Monday. Be here, or be a knobhead.

[paruses]

What's the plan tonight? I am going to a static cycling class then will be back to watch if we're still going - if not I will chip in with my insights later.

[Ferris]

Dunno, what's a good time to kick off? Bear in mind I'm 5 hours behind the UK.

8pm gmt? I can catch up with the threads later on

[Thomas]

Good thread, I'm looking forwards to following it. I might not be able to join in with every viewing, but, like a few other posters, I am very familiar with the show, so I'll still be able to chip in and enjoy what others are saying.

[paruses]

Yes! It's the bathroom drinking scene. I'd forgotten it was the phone call that led to this too.

I haven't watched this first series for ages. There is more of a divide between likeable and not likeable characters whereas later you realise that none of them are likeable and they're all self-serving.

David Mitchell's has a bit of range in this first series - he seems to get more one dimensional (although still excellent) as it goes on - maybe I'm imagining it.

[Delete Delete Delete]

I found it odd hearing the orginal theme again. Some great lines in those episodes. "A Lampoon, A Simple Lampoon" and the way Jez takes such a large spoonful of cake.

[paruses]

I found it odd hearing the orginal theme again. Some great lines in those episodes. "A Lampoon, A Simple Lampoon" and the way Jez takes such a large spoonful of cake.

Yes - the cake is great, isn't it? Being able to convey spite with a mouthful of food.

I like the way everything is slowed down in these eps - Jez mooching about the kitchen, Mark trudging through the office to speak to Soph, the JLB office in general seems soul crushing (and sadly familiar).

Great entrance by Neil Fitzmaurice. Really sets the tone for his character and makes him hateful but invincible from the off.

I think I prefer the original theme.

[Edit - that's twice I've forgotten to mention Toni. I still have a huge crush on her although literally with every viewing I dislike her more]

[Ferris]

Whatever happened to Toni? Never seen again after the first 1 or 2 seasons.

Personally, I can't stand the original theme. Hearing it reminded me of this

[paruses]

Whatever happened to Toni? Never seen again after the first 1 or 2 seasons.

Personally, I can't stand the original theme. Hearing it reminded me of this

I have a love-hate with that theme - I find it depressing but apt.

Does she not make an appearance later than S2? The Barry guy at the party is such a toad. Seems to be a speciality of that actor.

Have to say that there's a lot happens in S1E1 that I thought was later or spread over other eps. Hadn't remembered the kids appearing first off.

Question - how would anyone else have handled them? Would a good old alpha male have an approach? I would be just like Mark and they would sense that weakness.

[Lemming]

One thing we should watch out for as we go through the series is how Mark is, to an extent, genuinely unstable and unpredictable in the first couple of series, especially the first. Chasing the kids with a lead pipe is a great example, and we're going to see the peak of that side of his character in S1E5. That element of his character seems to get lost by the third or fourth series, and I've never been sure how much of that is down to the script and how much is down to David Mitchell altering his performance (not that I'm trying to bash the later series, series 6 is my favourite after the first three).

Anyway, the much more amateur-y production quality of the first series really lends itself to the slightly darker material.

I'd love to quote some great lines, but it'd turn into me just writing down virtually every single line in those first two episodes, so I'll settle for just citing Jeremy's "oh, FUCK!" after Mark slams the phone down on Sophie in episode two.

[Phil_A]

I found it odd hearing the orginal theme again. Some great lines in those episodes. "A Lampoon, A Simple Lampoon" and the way Jez takes such a large spoonful of cake.

I also like how he takes a bite out of an entire block of cheese, which I hadn't noticed before.

Anyway, the much more amateur-y production quality of the first series really lends itself to the slightly darker material.

Yeah, it's very noticable how the head cams they were using(when they were literally putting cameras on the actors heads to film the dialogue shots) were much poorer quality than the standard cameras, giving certain shots a grungy indie film look unintentionally. As you say, it works for the atmosphere which is almost uniformly wintery and bleak.

[fucking ponderous]

I think I would just tell the children to fuck off and keep walking. I understand how Mark isn't that sort of person, but what I don't understand is how he's unable to ignore them even with headphones on. Half the reason I wear headphones outdoors is to avoid any sort of interaction with passersby.

I agree that Mark does seem slightly more unhinged in earlier series. I haven't seen the later ones in a long time, but I recall them just sort of sanding him down into a neurotic Woody Allen type, when really at the core of every neurotic Woody Allen type is a repressed psycho itching to get out, which is what early Mark portrayed so well ("He won't be laughing when I'm in charge of the morphine supply")

Love Toni. Genuinely a very scary character. During her pyramid selling phase I don't think she shows a single genuine emotion.

Also love the grimy look of the early episodes. Really makes the show feel like something unique and dark and disturbing, which of course isn't something in of itself, but I think it really completes the writing and it's a hell of a lot more interesting to look at than other sitcoms.

I like the early theme but I think the Harvey Danger song matches the show well. They are both good.

Favorite quote (that I can remember, off the top of my head): "They look great. They're probably talking about making a real life porno movie, with a proper story and everything."

[New Jack]

On my next rewatch I'm gonna contrive the opinion that Jeff is the actual de facto hero, from a moral POV, merely defending himself against the office weirdo stalking his bird who says he shagged his mum who goes on dates with kids who tries to broom him who pisses himself at work and hides in cupboards and says our man's a domestic abuser and fucks animals etc.

A working class hero who ultimately settles down with the love of his life who he supports over the years even when she's spurned and humiliated him..... her true rock, he valiantly takes his ex back and helps raise someone else's baby....  All because the office weirdo destroyed the kid's chance of normality when he jilted the kid's mother, and someone had to pick up the fucking pieces

[paruses]

Love Toni. Genuinely a very scary character. During her pyramid selling phase I don't think she shows a single genuine emotion.

I hadn't really noticed how much of a sociopath she is - the Alpen thing struck me this time; it could be a clumsy plot device but it's in keeping with her character that she would just go to someone's flat to eat a bowl of cereal - and bang on about how it reminded her of skiing holidays as a child. I am inferring now that she is also a pathological liar.

[Pebble_Mill]

On my next rewatch I'm gonna contrive the opinion that Jeff is the actual de facto hero, from a moral POV, merely defending himself against the office weirdo stalking his bird who says he shagged his mum who goes on dates with kids who tries to broom him who pisses himself at work and hides in cupboards and says our man's a domestic abuser and fucks animals etc.

A working class hero who ultimately settles down with the love of his life who he supports over the years even when she's spurned and humiliated him..... her true rock, he valiantly takes his ex back and helps raise someone else's baby....  All because the office weirdo destroyed the kid's chance of normality when he jilted the kid's mother, and someone had to pick up the fucking pieces

Interesting you should mention this. I've been rewatching this recently and noticed that in the episode (S2Ep5) where Mark says he shagged Jeff's mum and doesn't do the bungee jump with Sophie, there's two POV shots from Jeff's... POV.

First one (that I noticed) after he says to Mark that he wouldn't have to the balls to fuck Sophie. Then it happens again during the broom sequence.

[paruses]

On my next rewatch I'm gonna contrive the opinion that Jeff is the actual de facto hero, from a moral POV, merely defending himself against the office weirdo stalking his bird who says he shagged his mum who goes on dates with kids who tries to broom him who pisses himself at work and hides in cupboards and says our man's a domestic abuser and fucks animals etc.

A working class hero who ultimately settles down with the love of his life who he supports over the years even when she's spurned and humiliated him..... her true rock, he valiantly takes his ex back and helps raise someone else's baby....  All because the office weirdo destroyed the kid's chance of normality when he jilted the kid's mother, and someone had to pick up the fucking pieces

This is a very good point - I had never really considered it before because Jeff is a competitive wanker and always seems to get one over on Mark which is at odds with how I would like the world to work. However, he does do the right thing all the time. He does antagonize Mark in later series but you could very easily see these as understandable digs because, as you say, Jeff has been there to pick up the pieces.

Maybe Jeff is the only nice person in Peep Show. This changes everything.

[Gregory Torso]

Good idea for a thread. I think the Derek one failed because, well it's just no fun hate-watching something on your own especially when there's already a perfectly good original thread about it.

I'll jump in with this, I think. I did actually watch all of Peep Show last year from series 1 up to 9, so a lot is probably still fresh in my mind, but I'll dip in and out.

Funnily enough, my mates and I initially refused to watch Peep Show when it was first on because Robert Webb went to our school and we thought he was a bit of a knob, and it was the previously mentioned Bowling Alley/House Party episode that made us realise "hey, this is actually really fucking good!"

[Phil_A]

No-one still doing this then? Shame for it fizzle out so early.

[St_Eddie]

No-one still doing this then? Shame for it fizzle out so early.

Indeed.  This whole rewatch idea was SOOOOOOO FUUUUUTILE!  WAAAHHHH!!!

[Replies From View]

I've rewatched the first four episodes of series 1 but don't really have much to say about them.

[QDRPHNC]

Me too. I've got a few things in my head to say but not enough time to write them down.

[St_Eddie]

I'm too busy runnin' underground with the moles, diggin' 'em holes.

[Dr Rock]

I'm in. Only watched the first episode again, do I have to watch three now? I don't mind.

[Ferris]

Yeah still going! Eps 3 and 4 today for me, just got home

[Dr Rock]

My observation on the first episode (I think) where Mark is in the lift thinking nasty thoughts about the man for being lazy and then it turns out the man is disabled and Mark thinks bloody hell they should have to wear stickers, as a man who is not obviously disabled, yes I would wear a sticker. I believe they actually exist so I haven't gone so far as to seek them out and wear them but in theory I would. Send me the stickers in the post please the government.

[paruses]

Yeah still going! Eps 3 and 4 today for me, just got home

Sorry I forgot it was Monday - bit too hectic at work. I'm still up for it.

Might we be better to plough through S1 and discuss as and when before starting on the later series - I get the feeling that the later ones are more neglected than (what I consider) the golden years?

Was also wondering if (spam) might be available for some screenings of later ones - I have no idea how (spam) works - it might just be Delete holding his phone up to a tv screen for all I know (but I am grateful for it and watch it as a lurker so thanks).

[Captain Z]

I ended up binging all of series 1 again, but I'd already rewatched the whole thing in time for the start of series 9 and it still feels too fresh. If it continues I might join in when my favourite episodes get mentioned.

Thought the 'Jeff is the good guy' angle was an interesting one but this breaks down as soon as he sings in the lift at the end of his first episode.

[paruses]

Thought the 'Jeff is the good guy' angle was an interesting one but this breaks down as soon as he sings in the lift at the end of his first episode.

I am still going to watch with this in mind. I think "bit of a competitive twat" suits him better than malicious. From memory (which is hazy at the best of times) he seems more snippy and exasperated at Mark's behavior than trying to ruin Mark.

Will watch the bowling tonight but isn't that the only time he gets owned - even Sophie does a sort of eye roll at his efforts doesn't she?

[Delete Delete Delete]

Sorry I forgot it was Monday - bit too hectic at work. I'm still up for it.

Might we be better to plough through S1 and discuss as and when before starting on the later series - I get the feeling that the later ones are more neglected than (what I consider) the golden years?

Was also wondering if (spam) might be available for some screenings of later ones - I have no idea how (spam) works - it might just be Delete holding his phone up to a tv screen for all I know (but I am grateful for it and watch it as a lurker so thanks).

I'd love to add it to the (spam) scedule. but its more of a fact that it has a full scedule at the moment. Its a case of dead mans shoes. As one series ends we slip in another. Perhaps when we finish Season 1 of Cheers  we will replace it with Peep Show? But that would be in 3 months time.

[imitationleather]

NOT-VERY FUN FACT: My missus used to work at the bowling alley in that episode. She was off the day they filmed there though, so has no anecdotes. Not bad, eh?

I have watched series 1 and 2 so many times that I really can't do it again. Particularly the university one, I easily must have watched that episode over twenty times, as it was the default Peep Show to watch when with a group of people after a night out for years and years. As a result the entire thing is seared onto my brain. I did watch all of series 3 the other night, though. I was really surprised by how good it was, as at the time it felt like a massive nose-dive in quality from what had come before.

Also, I decided to view it from the "Jeff isn't such a bad guy" perspective, and it blew my mind. I'm fully on-board with that philosophy now and I would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

One thing (among the many things) that annoyed that me about the later series were the changes in Mark's personality. In the earlier series he's a bit awkward, but still wants to go out, have a social life, indulge in a bit of the old casual sex and that. As the series wears on this part of him gets discarded and he just comes a bit of a bore, behaving like someone about twenty years older than his character. It's almost as though they start to base his character from the uncool PC man guy him and Webb played in those fucking Mac adverts. A lot of the nuance in his character goes and I think the series suffers as a result.

Still fakin' love Peep Show, though. Love it. Fakin' love it.