Review of Peep Show: Series 3

Introduction

`Peep Show` is not only innovatively shot and cut (with all dialogue delivered straight down the barrel, and use of point-of-view shots throughout), it`s also frighteningly funny. Erring on the subversive at times, it takes the comedy of embarrassment to uncharted but hilarious extremes.

It features two decidedly unlikely flat mates; Mark (David Mitchell) who is a cherub faced office worker with public-school boy demeanour, and Jeremy (Robert Webb), a deluded work-shy musician who`s insecure, unreliable, and shallow in the extreme.

Written by newcomers Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain, it mixes the bizarre with the mundane realities of life - a kind of `The Office` meets `Bottom` in concept.

The constant use of point-of-view shots throughout is really unusual and must have been difficult to sustain by the actors as they deliver every line directly to camera. Bar the establishing wide-shots and a few cutaways, it`s exclusively POV throughout (POV was the original name for the show, abandoned as filmic jargon that some of its audience might not have understood).

Series 3, comprising a mere 6 episodes sustains the incredible momentum of the previous two series, often descending into near anarchy as straight-laced middle-manager Mark barely holds on to his young Tory decorum.

The series kicks off with an episode called `Mugging` which starts with two pale-faced Chavs asking Mark, "lend us your phone mate…". His response ("Never a borrower or lender be…") sums up his upper middle-class ability to cope with an increasingly cruel and frustrating urban world. Naturally he loses not only his phone, but a freely-given travel card and his wallet too.

Mark`s on-going relationship with Sophie continues at a pace (with a hilarious `working in the bedroom` scene that has Mark muttering `well, this work won`t get done by itself…` when things hot up too much for comfort). Naturally, any happiness is short-lived as Sphie secures a job in Birstol. The `phone sex` that ensues is hilariously embarrassing too - and it`s clear that this is a relationship going nowhere.

Jeremy`s love-life is fairing no better either as his obsession with ex-`Big Suze` takes on a new turn for the worst when she drops round to visit him with a `hunky monk` in tow.

The flat-sharing duo`s misery continues apace when Jeremy has a magic mushroom party (aided and abetted by druggy musical partner Super-Hans) which upsets the balance of relations as Mark tries to get a decent nights kip in his own flat (after all). Flat-sharers the length and breadth of Britain will recognise these horribly accurate portrayals of their lives, in stark contrast to the glossy representation of `Friends`.

You`d be forgiven for imagining that the series was penned by Mitchell and Webb ( they make the characters so much their own) though you`d be wrong. It`s actually scribed by two low-key young writers, Sam Baim and Jesse Armstrong who can be heard on three commentaries on the disc.

Video

Transferred anamorphically in 1.78:1. You can tell from the outset that this has all been shot on inexpensive digital video; possibly mini-DV. This doesn`t particularly detract but digital video does suffer in low-light conditions, and Peep Show is no exception to this general rule. But then the whole thing is like a voyeuristic security camera style shoot, and it works well here.

Audio

There`s a workmanlike stereo track here that rather matches the deceptive `shot on the hoof` feel to the series. The audio is clear, and dialogue warmly recorded on close mic.

Features

Some deleted scenes, three commentaries by the writers and producer (not as amusing as you might hope) and some specially filmed scenes for episodes 1, 3, and 6.

Conclusion

`Peep Show` Series 3 continues to deliver up its unique brand of high embarrassment and brutally honest critique of modern urban living - and it`s hilarious.

You`d have thought that a series that was so fresh and original two years ago would have become less entertaining and less cutting-edge. Or that it would have become predictable and formulaic (like `Little Britain` in its slightly sad third series) but the truth is that it just gets better and better.

Mitchell and Webb are perfectly cast, and the series manages to cruelly reflect the frustrations, cruelties, falsities and delusions of modern urban living with frightening accuracy and humour.

I think I`d put my neck out and suggest that it`s a deserving equal to `The Office`.

Astonishingly, Series 3 attracted a mere 1.3 million viewers and it was touch and go whether a fourth series would be commissioned. Luckily, high DVD sales saved the day. Do you bit one more time and we may be able to look forward to a fifth series!