Product Description
-------------------
The three-disc Spaced - Definitive Collectors' Edition DVD set
contains all the extras from the previous DVD releases plus a
host of brand new features, including music promos and an
in-depth documentary showcasing interviews with cast members
(Simon Pegg, Jessica Stevenson and Nick Frost), cameo actors
(Bill Bailey, David Walliams, Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith)
and journalists. It also includes a tour of different show
locations made by Simon, Jessica and Edgar, with clips of archive
footage from the very first programmes Simon and Jess appeared in
together.
Series 1: out-takes; trailers; commentary; cast and crew
biographies; deleted scenes; and brand new extras including raw
footage.
Series 2: commentary; homage-o-meter; out-takes; deleted scenes;
trailers; raw footage; biographies; and a photo gallery.
Series 3: music promos; cast interviews.
.co.uk Review
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Spaced is a sitcom like no other. The premise is simple enough:
Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) and Tim (Simon Pegg) are out of luck
and love, so pretend to be a couple in order to rent a flat
together. Downstairs neighbour and eccentric painter Brian
suspects someone's fibbing, and almost blows their cover with
their lecherous lush of a landlady, Marsha. Fortunately he soon
falls for Daisy's -freak friend Twist, while Daisy herself
goes ga-ga for pet dog Colin. Tim remains happily platonic with
lifemate Mike; a sweet-at-heart s 'n' ammo obsessive. The
series is chock-full of pop culture references. In fact, each
episode is themed after at least one movie, with nods to The
Shining and Close Encounters of the Third Kind proving especially
hilarious. Hardly five minutes goes by without a Star Wars
reference, and every second of screen time from Bill Bailey as
owner of the comic shop where Tim works is comedic gold. The look
of the series is its other outstanding element, with slam-zooms,
dizzying montages, and inspired lighting effects (often paying
homage to the Evil Dead movies). It's an affectionate fantasy on
the life of the twenty-something that's uncomfortably close to
the truth.
The second series finds the gang at 23 Meteor Street a little
older, but definitely none the wiser. Tim's career is hampered by
severe hang-ups over The Phantom Menace. Daisy's career is just
plain non-existent. There is still a spark of sexual tension
between them, but it's overshadowed by Brian and Twist getting it
on. Propelling the seven-episode series arc is the threat of
Marsha discovering that none of the relationships are what they
seem, Mike's increasing jealousy and a new love interest for Tim.
That's the basis for a never-ending stream of in-jokes and
references that easily match the quality of the first series. Tim
has a Return of the Jedi flashback, then déjà vu in reliving the
end of The Empire Strikes Back. There are spoofs of One Flew Over
the Cuckoo's Nest, Robocop, The Sixth Sense and comedy rival The
Royle Family. There are guest spots from Bill Bailey, Peter
(voice of Darth Maul) Serafinowicz and The League of Gentlemen's
Mark Gatiss and Reece Shearsmith. Every episode is packed with
highlights, but this series' guaranteed geek pant-wetting moments
have to be the mock battles, slagging off Babylon 5 and
learning that "The second rule of Robot Club is: no smoking."
Jessica Stevenson won a British Comedy Award for this year. It
deserved a whole lot more. --Paul Tonks