SPACED

There seems to be a trend for certain BrtitComs to only last 2 Seasons, and SPACED is no exception. This one is tailored for 20-somethings facing the pressures of being out on their own. You know; boyfriends, girlfirends, pets, jobs, video games, parties, paintball, fear of failure, self-doubt, spit-takes, friendship, being uncomfortable in your own skin, handling unemployment, clubbing, battlebots, comic books, Sci Fi movies, problems with authority, etc. The intimate feel of a show centered around two people who start off posing as a 'professional' couple in order to score a flat, makes for a great sitcom with nifty fantasy, slow-motion, flashback and other fresh visuals. Each episode has at least one musical montage that evokes either an actual scene from a famous film or the feel of one. The charm of people in north London fantasizing bits from American films. SPACED was one of the great sitcoms from the 90s which should have run for more seasons. The stars were Simon Pegg, Jessica Stevenson, Julia Deakin, Mark Heap, Nick Frost and guest like Bill Bailey, Reece Shearsmith and Clive Russell. Those looking for a Simon Pegg, SHAUN OF THE DEAD connection; the third episode has plenty of him playing zombie video games. Not that this will really spoil anything; but I love how BritComs like to end on a really mushy nostalgia note.

On the Clever American Ears scale, this one rates 1 out of 5. When excited there is a tendency to speak fast and furiously, but aside from one character Brian (who's a bit daft and speaks in fractured riddles) and a few bit parts (like Irishman Tyus); there's little overlapping talk, minor slang and better than average enunciation.