#2. Spaced

How could any list be made without including Spaced? I’d imagine any person whom identifies themselves as a Nerd has heard of Spaced and know of its greatness, if not read on and learn.

Spaced tells the story of two twenty-something’s who pretend to be a couple in order to get an apartment. Daisy Steiner (Jessica Stevenson) and Tim Bisley (Simon Pegg) are the two main characters of the show, Daisy is a “writer” and Tim is am aspiring comic book artist however both are not really reaching their life goals. The series largely follows the adventures of Tim and Daisy as they live their lives through a series of bizarre and surreal events. The duo grow as people and by the end of the entire 14 episode run you feel like you’re a member of Tim and Daisy’s circle of friends.

Besides Pegg and Stevenson Spaces stars Julia Deakin (playing landlady Marsha), Mark Heap (playing artist Brian), Nick Frost (playing Tim’s best friend Mike) and Katy Carmichael (playing Daisy’s friend Twist). All the supporting cast could have shows based around their individual lives and I’d watch each of them. Whether its Brian’s bizarre heterosexual/bi-sexual/homosexual art world adventures to Mike’s army adventures (or mis-adventures) the show is filled with little bits that you wish were expanded upon.

(WATCH THE ENTIRE FIRST EPISODE)

The show excels at referencing pop culture in a way that no show I’ve ever seen has done before, especially in a show like this. Most of the references revolve around science fiction and fantasy but that’s not to say it’s those two entirely quite the opposite in face, Spaced takes on almost every kind of genre out there and turns it on there heads in the name of comedy. The show benefits from using these references with various surreal visual and events that will make you question whats reality and what isn't, it's almost like asking if they can hear Stewie on Family Guy or not (at least back in the day when the show was FUNNY). It could be flashbacks, zombie attacks, gun fights or dozens of other varying situations but whatever it is Spaced excels at whatever it tries.

You also can’t mention Spaced without praising Edgar Wright (the man directed Hot Fuzz, Shaun of the Dead and the upcoming Scott Pilgrim!) and his flair for directing. I only wish there were more directors out there with such a unique sense of style but if that were the case it would cease to be unique I guess. Wright’s scene transitions in particular have always been somewhat hypnotic and I was glad to see he kept the same style with his first two films and I wonder if Scott Pilgrim will continue the glorious tradition.

Spaced is fantastic which I’ll admit is a word I’ve used to death during these reviews and it won’t be the last time it’s used but the word fantastic is the best way to describe it. Hopefully you have been exposed to Spaced in some form of another (I feel like most have had the chance by now) but if you haven’t please, please, PLEASE watch it! Again the series only runs 2 seasons for a total of 14 half hour episodes so you’re not losing a large chunk of your life or anything. You can purchase the series on DVD on Amazon which didn’t happen until recently. I myself own both the U.K. box set as well as the U.S. one, hell you can never have too much Spaced.

Also bonus points for introducing me to JAFFA CAKES...MMMmmmmmm Tasty

Spaced on Amazon

Final Verdict

9.5 out of 10 (CLASSIC!)