User reviews

The whole two series was as close to perfect as I can imagine. Funny, beautifully shot, well-produced, the only downside was that there wasn't more of it. Perhaps the reason that it wasn't as successful as it should have been was that it didn't get a large enough audience. It was aired in a time when "The Royle Family" undeservedly won all the awards and praise, whereas Spaced was considered to be aimed at immature adolescents, film parodies and comic book references only worthy of an audience that doesn't know quality when they see it. And this is a tragedy, because, if television series' can be considered art form by any stretch of the imagination, then this is a masterpiece, something to be admired by others, a definite benchmark for all other programmes.

Well what can I say??? The man is a genius.

Simon Pegg, Master of Modern Comedy and the gorgeous Jessica Stevenson (yes I did say gorgeous!) have written and starred in what I consider to be the best British comedy ever.

From Colin the lovable dog to Brian the nutty artist who lives downstairs, the script and acting is 5*.

Set in London with a fantastic cast including the hilarious Nick Frost as Mike (later Ed in Shaun Of The Dead along with Simon Pegg as Shaun and Jessica Stevenson appearing in cameo role) and Julia Deakin as Marsha, the permanently drunk landlady who lives upstairs, you know you're in for a great night on the TV.

It was a shame that there was only ever 2 series made however I can understand why it ended when it did.

Best character??? Brian as the somewhat over-emotional artist (Anger, Pain, Fear, Aggression...)

My favourite moments in the series??? Tyres enjoying the effects of the rave culture with the help of various household noises!!!

Best Line (episode 1) Tim : Daisy this is Brian... Daisy : oh hi, Do you rent downstairs?... Brian : Do you mean am I gay?

All In All - ENJOY!!! You Americans don't know what you're missing!!!

...this is the show for YOU.

It's hilarious on many different levels, ranging from the ultra-obscure comic book/film/TV/music references to the downright slapstick.

The much-celebrated references may cause you to roll around on the sofa clutching your stomach laughing, or they may pass you by. It really doesn't matter. The programme is also incredibly touching. The writing and performances bring the paint-by-numbers characters (self-pitying cartoonist, lazy would-be journalist, tortured artist, drunken landlady, vain self-appointed fashion guru, weapons-obsessed idiot) to painfully vivid life, and no matter how cynically you may approach "Spaced" you will end up caring about these people and their relationships. But hey, even if you don't, there's still the pop-culture references to cling onto.

From Tim fantasising playing "Resident Evil 2" and blasting zombies in his living room (before reality takes hold), Daisy seeing herself in the future in true "The Shining" style, and Marsha seeing how she might have been had she not turned to drink and rock stars, you'll start laughing and you won't stop.

In fact, it doesn't matter what age you are, you will identify with the characters and you will care about them and you will laugh with them. A lot.

Which just leaves the evil hidden agenda behind the series: watch it, listen to the audio commentary on the DVD and it becomes clear that they will make you watch Evil Dead 2. Before you know it, grandmothers will be watching notorious horror films and LAUGHING.

For that alone we should be truly thankful.

Having just watched this series again, I am prepared to say that "Spaced" is definitely one of the greatest comedy shows EVER!

Funny, striking, imaginative, clever, compassionate, sarcastic, inventive, etc, etc, etc. You get the impression that co-stars and co-writers, Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, just cannot write a boring line of dialogue or envisage a predictable scene. Using its "nothing new" premise (mismatched couple pretend to be romantically entangled to find a place to live), this show twists and turns its way off into many brilliant and original directions, while never failing to provide the required belly laughs along the way.

It uses movie in-jokes and references in a way that would make Tarantino envious, and the hipness of its execution makes it both a show that, paradoxically, is of the moment but is also certain to be talked about in ten or twenty years from now.

The cast are all first-rate: Pegg and Stevenson manage to be both madcap and touching, and are backed up by a sterling supporting cast of fresh and exciting talent. Julia Deakin as Marsha, the flirtatious middle-aged landlady and Mark Heap as the pretentious but vulnerable artist from hell, Brian, make a hilarious double act; Nick Frost is a real find as military mad Mike; and Katy Carmichael as the initially snobby Twist manages to be dotty without turning up the annoyance factor.

Even the guest appearances are great. My two personal favourites are Michael Smiley as the chemically enhanced Tyres O'Flaherty, a non-stop raver who even dances to the ringing of a telephone; and the excellent Charles Dale (II), who is usually cast as the heavy, but gives a marvellous comic performance here as the "yes man" security guard who helps our bumbling heroes rescue their beloved pooch, Colin, from an evil freelance vivisectionist!

Credit must also be given to director Edgar Wright who has created a unique and vivid look to the show, enhancing the script's wired look at the banalities of everyday life with his brilliant use of camera movement, lighting, cross-cutting, flashbacks, etc. Even if it wasn't funny (which it most emphatically is), "Spaced" would get top marks for being the best looking show on the box.

I could go on, but "Spaced" is a comedy that needs to be seen to be believed, and then seen again...and again...and again...

They say the family of the 21st century is made up of friends and not relatives and if that's true, then these are the best siblings I ever had.

Amazing writing, acting, directing, humor and references. I wish there was more of it, at least one more season... but what we got I will revisit over and over again.

I thought this was glorious. Brilliantly written, constantly funny and a quirky bundle of joy from start to finish. Everyone was so well cast in their roles and you can see why the likes of Simon Pegg and Nick Frost have done so well. They're already so good here (as is Jessica Stevenson), so job done. I loved the way the storylines unfolded, the unexpected drawing on well-known movies, the development of relationships and the over-all good-heartedness of the whole thing. I could happily have watched a third series, but as it ended in a satisfactory way I wasn't left feeling cheated. This is surely the bench mark for all comedy series.

Never seen this shown until recently and basically see where Shawn of the Dead etc came from, it's weird and fun and well worth a watch.

Tim Bisley (Simon Pegg) and Daisy Steiner (Jessica Hynes) are just platonic friends in desperate need for a place to stay. They pretend to be together to rent a couples-only room. It's a 20something show with Nick Frost as Tim's best friend Mike Watt. There's a lot edge to it. Tim and Daisy are both geeks. She's a frustrated writer, and he works at a comic book store. It's a great alternative slacker sitcom chalk full of pop references. The second series is better, and more well written. The first one is a little bit uneven. But more than anything, it gave us two important things. First, it gave us Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. Second, it gave us Burning Star Wars Paraphernalia for The Phantom Menace. For that, they should have gotten a Nobel Prize.

This show is one of the most influential comedies of all time. It's definitely my favorite sitcom ever! As the title of this review suggests, Spaced is (at this moment in time) my personal favorite sitcom of all time. The characters, the situations and the filming is / are brilliant and the lifestyle the show focuses on will probably be quite a good prediction of what my life will be like immediately after University life ends. The characters are comic creations of real life and the situations are on the ridiculous side of real life, occasionally falling over into absolute madness, but in a very good way. It is the ultimate fan boys show - there are hundreds of nods to other TV shows and brilliant films and you can tell that the writers are just as huge fans of quality entertainment as most of the fans of Spaced are. The music is inspired. Although some aspects of the show look slightly dated already (even though it was filmed from 1999 to 2001) it is well worth discovering if you've never watched an episode. Also the second series is better than the first and just as fresh as the first series. The characters are developed further and the direction and stylistic features are even more sharp than the first series. The main characters (Tim and Daisy) are great, and the characters of Mike, Brian, Marsha and...Tyres (I LOVE HIM) are wonderful in supporting roles, and provide much of the comedy. If you've seen Shaun of the Dead and you haven't seen Spaced, you're missing out. You will love it.

This series is centred on Tim Bisley and Daisy Steiner; two twenty somethings who meet while each is looking for a new place to live; unfortunately everywhere each of them want to live is for couples. Then they hit on the idea of pretending to be a couple to hire a flat together. They get a place in a house belonging to Marsha, who lives upstairs with her teenaged daughter; Brian, an artist lives in the flat downstairs. Other key characters are Tim's friend Mike, who was kicked out of the Territorial Army for stealing a tank and trying to invade Paris and Daisy's friend Twist.

Over the course of two seasons (fourteen episodes) they get involved in various amusing antics. This includes going to some performance art involving an old friend of Brian's; going clubbing; looking for jobs and rescuing Daisy's dog from a rogue vivisectionist. Along the way they meet a variety of characters; some of whom return in further episodes.

It is hard to believe this series in now twenty years old as it still feels very fresh. There are lots of great jokes and many fun references to classic, and some not-so-classic films... don't mention 'The Phantom Menace' to Tim. The success of the series is down to the great characters; Tim and Daisy are fairly normal and those around them are just a little bit over the top without feeling unbelievable. Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson are great as Tim and Daisy and Nick Frost, Julia Deakin, Mark Heap and Katy Carmichael are just as good as Mike, Marsha, Brian and Twist. The guest cast, which includes plenty of familiar faces is also solid. The situations are a good blend of the everyday and the slightly exaggerated; this works well and keeps the laughs coming. Surprisingly for a sitcom the laughs don't seem overly forced. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to anybody who likes a good laugh; I'd only caution that the language might be a bit strong for some viewers.

After 21 years still funny and inventive and the crucial part, likable characters

This is by far (opinion of course, not fact) the greatest sitcom/tv series ever made. It captured so much of what was and what is! The nostalgia. The gaming. The movies. The TV. The jokes. The life of 1998-1999! It is now (unfortunately for me) classed as a classic! Cult classic (Whatever 😁) It is amazing in every sense of the word! Spaced captures all. Enjoy. Love it. Reel it in. Absorb. Most of all...love Daisy and Tim (not Rosie and Jim) 🍺🍻🍺🍻 SPACED 10/10

Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes, the fantastic Nick Frost and the superbly dry Mark Heap as downstairs neighbour and whacky artist, in this trippy, in-joke, homage-a-plenty romp. Tim and Daisy (Pegg and Hynes) pretend to be together to get a flat that requested couples only. They're both slackers (aspiring graphic novel artist and journalist respectively), and nothing much happens but they are both drama-queens, off the wall and it's written so tongue in cheek, and more or less everything is a representation of something else or a gratuitous take off of it. Very dry humour, drugs, sexual references and bad language so not for everyone, but if you were relatively young in the nineties and don't laugh at this I wonder if you have all your neurons firing. There are lots of set pieces, repetitive montages and crazy monologues by Pegg. Nick Frost is TA gun enthusiast Mike and he's the comedy relief in this otherwise already comedy; totally nuts and laugh out loud funny with the bromance between Pegg and Frost superbly referenced. Their comedic timing is just perfect. Both of the two series are short at seven episodes each but it's great laughs, penned by both Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes (nee Stevenson), the stars of the show, demonstrating an originality and freshness, something a little different in the world of the humble sitcom.

A supposedly surprising sitcom based upon the very modern idea of a couple of twenty-somethings sharing a flat: 'Spaced' sounded as if it should feel fresh and original. But in fact the set up feels very familiar: the landlord (in this case, actually a landlady) lives under the same roof as her collection of sexually inadequate, loser tenants; although the permutations are different, 'Spaced' really doesn't feel so completely different from 'Rising Damp'. The one original quirk is that jokes are often followed up by vividly unreal exaggerations showing us what the characters really think. But this was done with more style in 'Dream On' and in this case, far from adding to the original joke, seems more to labour the point - this isn't the sort of comedy whose humour is allowed to nearly escape you. In some senses, these visual plays are more the equivalent of a laughter track - something to tell the audience to laugh. The odd line made me smile, but overall, I prefer a bit more realism in my comedy; there's no real bite when the characters are drawn so thin.

I have watched this series a few times over the years and it still makes me laugh. The casting is so good and the storyline is fantastically unique and engaging. You want to believe these quirky, sometimes absurd oddballs actually exist as they would be a hoot to hang out with, heck even do a character study on them.

It's been a pleasure to watch Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright grow in their respective careers; together and individually. In retrospect, you knew they had a bright future but 20+ years later, it's awe inspiring to actually see it come to be.

They are masterful at weaving in references to other works whether it's verbal or visual. They so cleverly integrated in many movie references that are part of my lifelong list of favorites (and not so great Phantom Menace). They did it again in Paul, going to the extent of paying homage to these movies as the storyline.

In the Spaced universe, I have always hoped for a follow-up movie over the years but...... If you have never seen it, I highly recommend it.

As a fan of Edgar Wright and his films, discovering "Spaced" on Hulu a few years ago was an epic surprise. I'd had no idea that Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost had done a two-series television show in England and it came as no surprise that it was full to the brim with the geekiest of references. It's bound to appeal to anyone who loves their films and, as popular as their films have become with American audiences, I'm surprised "Spaced" hasn't found some sort of syndication on this side of the Atlantic to introduce a whole new audience. The premise of the show isn't something we haven't seen a hundred times before in other sitcoms but it's the execution that makes it stand out. The show opens with Tim Bisley (Pegg) meeting Daisy Steiner (Jessica Hynes); Tim has just gone through a nasty breakup and Daisy is hoping to move out of the flat where she's squatting with a bunch of losers. Options are scarce until they discover an advertisement for a flat available for "professional couples"…so Tim and Daisy agree to pose as a couple in order to move in. The series follows the lives of these two and their eccentric friends: militaristic Mike (Frost), struggling artist Brian (Mark Heap), fashion-obsessed Twist (Katy Carmichael), and their perpetually drunken landlady Marsha (Julia Deakin). Over the course of the fourteen episodes, they will pursue their dreams, form relationships, engage in robot battles, and, in Tim's case, come to terms with a crippling hatred for THE PHANTOM MENACE.

One of the coolest parts of Wright's films is the constant barrage of homage to other films he loves and, subsequently, influenced him. "Spaced" is no different, as each episode could be spent just counting the references to iconic films, television shows, and video games. It's a geek cornucopia. And to those fearing that the focus of the series is on forcing in Star Wars or X-Files sight gags, there is nothing to worry about. The show, written by stars Pegg and Hynes, is well written and consistently hilarious. Imagine a sitcom in the vein of "Friends" but aimed at the film geek crowd and better written. It's sad that the series only lasted the two series because fourteen episodes was enough to get me hooked but I would've loved to see where these characters lives went, especially since the final episode does sort of hint at some changes in the characters' dynamics. The first series was fun but it wasn't until the second series that the show really seemed to find it's footing and had some great stuff. In particular, the second series episode 'Gone' where it builds the most on the relationship between Tim and Daisy. The whole series is built on the usual "will they or won't they" relationship dynamic but it never really focuses on it, and this episode gives the two the most time together where we actually get to see them come a little closer over the course of one night's drunken/stoned adventure.

As fun as all that is, it's the bizarre characters that inhabit the world of "Spaced" that really make the show addicting. In its short run, the show managed to flesh out these characters better than most other sitcoms I've seen. Tim is pursuing his career as a graphic artist with dreams of drawing for a major comics company and, oddly enough for Simon Pegg, I actually found the character to be the least likable (note: not unlikable). Tim's somewhat self-centered and makes obvious on multiple occasions that he'd often rather not be bothered with others' problems while he pines away for his ex-girlfriend. Still, he's a goofball and he's got his moments. Daisy is far more caring but she's not without her own flaws. A professional procrastinator, she's slowly but surely working her way towards a life in journalism if she'd just sit in front of the typewriter long enough. Her feelings toward Tim become pretty obvious early on in the series but Tim's pretty oblivious to it all. My personal favorite would be Brian, the spastic artist living on the bottom flat. Mark Heap created the most memorable character of the series with Brian, always on edge and awkward beyond words in social situations. The episode focused on his reunion with a former artist colleague (series one, episode three: 'Art') is one of the best purely because we get the most time with his character, and his later (short-lived) relationship with Twist in the second series gives it some of the funniest jokes.

"Spaced" is a must-see show for anyone who fell in love with Wright, Pegg, and Frost in the Three Cornetto Trilogy films. It's all of the fun of their big screen features dished out in bite-sized 25 minutes episodes. While it doesn't have the same strong laughs that I found in "The IT Crowd", the characters and stories are infinitely more complex and the whole production has got Wright's trademark visual flair to give it some extra appeal. "Spaced" really was a great show and another prime example of fantastic British television.

A brilliantly British series and one of the early signs of Pegg and Frost's perfect partnership. Written by Pegg and Hynes, they are obviously the perfect fit for the messy couple/non-couple leads. The surrounding characters all bring their own flavour and are again perfectly cast.

The humour maybe wouldn't extend to all audiences, with frequent references to popular and 'geek' culture from the turn of the millenia, but for it's niche audience it is perfect.

A semi-structured arc across episodes, with regular callbacks, but really each episode has it's own distinct and daft plot. The quality does dip on a couple occasions but for the most part it's consistent. A very easy, enjoyable watch.

"Spaced" is a perfect portrait of my generation (well, pretty much my generation - I was born in 1979). It features everything I associate with people my age - clubbing, gratuitous pop culture references, heavy-duty substance abuse and, of course, chronic laziness.

I probably shouldn't like it, because I tend to get really bored with TV shows and movies about shiftless twenty-somethings getting stoned. But "Spaced," weirdly enough, manages to balance its sarcasm and weirdness with brains and creativity and even a dash of sentiment. I like the characters, and I root for them to succeed, which is more than I can say for the jerks on "Seinfeld" or "Sex and the City"!

I've also gotta admire Spaced because it looks so damned cool. Director Edgar Wright probably labored under a typical British budget of eight pence per episode, but he created some really freakish and memorable imagery. And the camera-work is great - how often can you say that about a sitcom?

I have a slight preference for the second-season episodes, but basically the whole thing rules. I find it addicting. Once I watch the first episode, I find that I have to blast through the whole series in a day or two.

I have maybe only one interesting (and possibly heretical) observation. Has anyone else noticed that, of all the lead characters, Daisy is the only one who's sort of unpleasant? Think about it...

This is one of Edgar Wright's first of many successes! It's just brilliant! It's one of my favourite shows and I love rewatching it and noticing all of the different little laughs!

This show kick started Simon Pegg and Nick Frosts career on our TV and cinema screens. A very quirky plot with unbelievable characters but a great storyline and dialogue - especially if you are a fan of sci-fi as you will be treated to numerous Star Wars references amongst others! Worth a watch - can be viewed on 4oD and is one of the better comedies I've seen, albeit for a niche audience of those who love pop and sci-fi references on their screens. There is a good chemistry between Simon and Nick's characters as well as the female which points towards romantic interest on all parts. This can be watched on many levels as one can simply ignore all references contained and enjoy the comedy for what it is - witty and sharp!

This was his first project that got noticed and deserved it.

The premise of Spaced is simple enough - two strangers pretend to be a couple to acquire flat lodgings and a menagerie of characters are thus brought together. But where Spaced shines is in its script and presentation with hilarious interactions, elements of horror and sci-fi, abundant film and television references, colourful dream and fantasy segments, and dynamic camera action all combining to make it a timeless British classic. The acting of the main cast is marvellous along with some great cameo appearances and the varied soundtrack plays an integral part in the narration.

If you think you'd like a British sitcom that takes full advantage of the visual medium, or if you love 90s pop culture, Spaced is the show for you. Its humour might be a little hard for everyone to appreciate, but the likeable characters and light-hearted settings and stories can still provide one with immense enjoyment.

I just watched the first episode and peeked into the second, and I am more than annoyed. Have I accidentally rented the wrong DVD? Is this show the one all the IMDb voters have seen? This show was recommended to me because I like Father Ted, Black Boooks, IT Crowd, etc. And what does this piece of "series" turn out to be? Stale, well-behaved, not even slightly absurd relationship garbage (type "roommate comedy"), probably targeted mostly at college folks. What's next? Are people going to tell me it is just like The Young Ones, only better (because its not as depressing and disgusting)?

All you out there who like British comedy for the bizarre and psychopathic characters, the pitch dark humor, the really painful slapstick (give me some Fawlty Towers!), the really disgusting bits, stay *far* away from this! This is toothless boredom for the Big Brother/Ally McBeal/Sex and the City generation. Maybe it's a step up if you're used to Roseanne and stuff like that. I wouldn't know.

Honestly, why do so many people like this? The editing is pretentious (what do all the shaky camera and the whoosh-whoosh cuts actually do story-wise or wit-wise?), there are no detectable punch-lines, the actors are merely saying the words and making stupid faces instead of acting (oh boy... the "crying" scene in the café in he first episode!), and there is this constant muzak playing in the background. I could go on! I think I am now going to wash my brains out with some The Comic Strip Presents... or League of Gentlemen! And it's now time for you guys to find this comment "not helpful".