Review of Peep Show: Series 4

Introduction

From its humble and low-key beginnings on Channel 4 in 2003, `Peep Show` has gained a large cult following, to the point where it is almost mainstream comedy. After disappointing viewing figures for series 3, Channel 4 considered axing the show before massive DVD sales prompted them to commission two further series from Sam Bain, Jessie Armstrong, David Mitchell and Robert Webb.

In case you are unfamiliar with `Peep Show`, it follows the far from boring day to day lives of Jeremy and Mark (David Mitchell and Robert Webb), shot in subjective POV. Together with seeing what they see and hearing what they hear, we are also privy to their innermost thoughts, which are often completely at odds with what they`ve just said!

Jeremy, a terrible wannabe musician, lodges with Mark, who although both in their late twenties, behave like a teenager and an old man respectively. Series 4 starts where series 3 left off, with Mark unhappily engaged to Sophie, Jeremy lusting after his `administrative-procedure` wife Nancy, but quite happy to sleep with just about anyone. In the six episodes, Mark and Jeremy spend an eventful weekend with Sophie`s parents, try to get Mark`s gym instructor sacked, Jeremy gets a job with his musical idol `The Orgazoid`, which involves more than he bargained for, he does something outrageous with a dog, whilst Mark`s wedding day gets ever closer...

Video

A very clear anamorphic 1.78:1 picture, which is marred only slightly by the occasional `smearing` when the camera pans very quickly. I guess that the show was filmed digitally, so sometimes doesn`t have the quality of film, although this doesn`t detract from your enjoyment of the comedy.

Audio

An excellent DD 2.0 stereo soundtrack, with good optional English HoH subtitles.

Features

In the extra features section of the disc, there is a five minute `Barn Burning` featurette, which shows how the main special effect of the series was executed.

`A Peep Behind the Scenes` runs at nearly 6 minutes and is a brief look at how `Peep Show` is filmed.

`The Best of Peep Show Series 1-4` is the `Top Ten` favourite moments from the show, as selected by members of the cast and crew. I have no arguments with their choices, though picking just ten moments from 24 episodes is incredibly tough.

In `A Peep at Mark and Jeremy`, series producer Phil Clark talks you through the characters, their progression through the four series and their relationship.

In the menus for each episode, there are deleted scenes from episodes 3, 4 and 6 and commentaries on episode 1 with creators/writers Jessie Armstrong and Sam Bain, episode 4 with Phil Clark and script editor Ian Morris, episode 5 with director Becky Martin and producer Robert Popper and episode 6 with Ian Morris, Jessie Armstrong and Sam Bain. The deleted scenes are very funny - as good as the rest of the material - and must have been removed for timing rather than content. The commentaries aren`t as funny or informative as they could or should have been, but are probably worth a listen.

Conclusion

I loved this series when it was on TV, and even though I knew the jokes (or perhaps because I did), it didn`t stop me suffering shortness of breath and nearly choking on some peanuts! I`d advise you to keep food and drink well away whilst watching this, as a character will say or do something which will cause your body to convulse and make swallowing hazardous. Almost everyone is unpredictable and is liable to do or say almost anything - even characters as seemingly disarming as Sophie and her family. Mark, Jeremy and Super-Hans are a different matter entirely.

The key to `Peep Show` is the characters - although both Mark and Jeremy are flawed individuals who make ridiculous decisions, it`s impossible not to empathise with them on some level. Despite Mark`s neurosis and unconscious ability to sabotage everything in his life that may turn out well, you always find yourself wishing him all the best and hoping that things work out even though you know they won`t. Jeremy is full of delusions of grandeur and, like Mark, is subconsciously self-destructive. Most of the humour is derived from the pair`s ability to do and say the wrong thing at the wrong time. The two of them make an excellent pairing and the fact they elicit empathy from the viewer, even they do the most unspeakable things is a testament to the writing.

Normally I would have no hesitation at recommending an instant purchase of this DVD, especially as it is the best series so far, but as it also comes as part of a series 1-4 box set and there`s a fifth series in the pipeline, there is inevitably going to be a series 1-5 box set. Depending on how much you love the show will dictate what you buy, but if you`ve never seen `Peep Show` before, then I would recommend the Series 1-4 box set.