Spaced

Spaced is a British television situation comedy written by and starring Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, directed by Edgar Wright, and broadcast on Channel 4. It is notable for its almost constant dropping of pop-culture references. Two series of seven episodes have been broadcast (in autumn 1999 and spring 2001); a third series is looking increasingly unlikely, but one-off specials have been hinted at. The first series was a nominee for Best TV Sitcom in the 1999 British Comedy Awards.

Spaced is concerned with the strange adventures of two twenty-somethings sharing a flat in London: Tim Bisley (Pegg), an aspiring comic book artist, and Daisy Steiner (Stevenson), an aspiring writer. In order to secure the (surprisingly cheap) lease of their flat they falsely tell landlady Marsha Klein (Julia Deakin) that they are a couple. Marsha, an aging divorcée rock chick, lives upstairs in a haze of cigarette smoke with her teenage daughter Amber (a heard but unseen character apart from a few fleeting glimpses) and a regular supply of red wine. Also living in the house is conceptual artist Brian Topp (Mark Heap); regular visitors are Tim's army-reject pal Mike Watt (Pegg's former real-life flatmate Nick Frost) and Daisy's best friend Twist Morgan (Katy Carmichael), who is "something in fashion". The regular cast is completed by Tim and Daisy's dog, Colin, and the characterful north London house known in the series as "23 Meteor Street".

References to popular culture - particularly but not exclusively to science fiction and horror films, comic books (especially 2000 AD) and video games - abound in Spaced to the extent that the DVD of Series 2 includes the "Homage-o-meter", an alternative set of subtitles listing every reference and homage. The series is also noted for its regular references to recreational drug use, from its title onwards.

Spaced has a distinctive visual style set by director Edgar Wright and shot (unusually for a sitcom) with a single camera. In addition to borrowing liberally from the visual language of horror film, it has particular stylistic mannerisms like the recurring device of scene changes occurring in the middle of a pan. The series' atmosphere is also established by the use of a particular flavour of contemporary electronica on its soundtrack.

List of episodes

Series 1

1. "Beginnings" - Strangers Tim and Daisy find themselves sharing table and newspapers in a London cafe day after day in a fruitless effort to find somewhere to live. Finding a two bedroomed flat for a "professional couple only" they hatch a plan to make it their new home.
2. "Gatherings" - Freshly unpacked Daisy plans a housewarming party - something to make their home the new hub of north London.
3. "Art" - Daisy gets an interview at womens magazine Flaps, Tim plays Resident Evil all night on speed and Brian gets a visit from his ex art partner Vulva.
4. "Battles" - Daisy decides to get a dog to cheer herself up while Tim and Mike go paintballing and bump into Tim's nemesis Duane.
5. "Chaos"- Daisy's new dog goes missing while Tim is taking her for a walk. Tim gets an anonymous tip-off detailing Colin's location and they plan a daring rescue attempt.
6. "Epiphanies" - Tim's courier friend Tyres pops round for a cup of tea and take the gang clubbing.
7. "Ends" - Tim's ex-girlfriend Sarah decides she wants him back, Daisy finally does some work and Mike has an interview at the Territorial Army.

Series 2

1. "Back" - Daisy returns from Asia, but finds herself in trouble due to "sensitive material" which has found its way into her bag.
2. "Change" - Tim loses his job, so he and Daisy head off to the job centre to find employment.
3. "Mettle" - Tim and Mike are through to the quarter finals of Robot Wars, but conflict with the ones they beat to get there threatens their attendance.
4. "Help" - Dark Star Comics want to see Tim's portfolio, but an unflattering drawing of the owner has been sent along with it.
5. "Gone" - Tim and Daisy spend a night out in Camden but find themselves in trouble with local youths. Meanwhile Mike loses Colin.
6. "Dissolution" - Tim and Sophie's relationship is noticed by Marsha, and events come to a head at Daisy's birthday party.
7. "Leaves" - The group, now broken up, try and persuade Marsha not to sell the house and to come home. Meanwhile Daisy accepts a job at a small newspaper and prepares to leave London.