Sour Duck: Peep Show Nostalgia

Peep Show actors looking at a poster of themselves.

Post-modern, very crude, very true: Peep Show.

"Peep Show" is a British TV comedy that has an unusual technical format: you see things from the point of view of the characters, switching from character to charater during each scene.

This gimmick wouldn't work if it weren't for the superb writing and cast. The two main characters, Jeremy and Mark (played by Robert Webb and David Mitchell), are almost upstaged by the wonderful supporting cast: "hipster doofus" Super Hans, next door neighbor and sexual interest Toni, and co-worker (and again, sexual interest) Sophie. And the Alan Johnson cameo was a plum that Paterson Joseph didn't waste, turning in a standout performance.

You follow their daily lives: Mark's existence in corporate space ("JLB Credit"), and Jeremy's existence as unemployable layabout. You have access to the character's thoughts, and their mundane internal conversations with themselves, or commentary on external events—often completely opposite to what they're speaking out loud—lead to some of the funniest moments in the series. In one scene, Mark is trying to economize while shopping at the local grocery store: "Life is just one big, black, depressing—hey! buy one get one free!" Another time Mark struggles with the filing cabinet key: "Why —doesn't—it—work!? (key unlocks cabinet opens) Ahhh, it always opens in the end…"

Bizarre, quirky incidents also keep "Peep Show" feeling unique and unpredictable.

I saw Series 1 while living in the UK, but now that I'm back in the states I feel a bit of "Peep Show" nostalgia coming on. I do have three episodes from Series 1 on VHS, recorded from BBC America.

That tape is getting pretty worn.

Some of my favorite quotes:

"Those kids have absolutely no idea about Stalingrad."

(Panicked) "Johnson is here! Johnson is here!"

"You're such a good mate."

"Right is bollocks - I'm going rogue."

"The longbow beats the crossbow, my idiotic friend."

"Only you know where you are with a cock."

"It's probably a test. Are you going to walk, like some stupid - duck - or are you going to drive, like Clarkson?"

"Of course. She's giving you the 'book-off'."

"Winter is coming. Is this my 'Stalingrad'?"