The Self-Aware Sitcom: Why ‘Spaced’ Rules

Spaced, the 1999-2001 gem from Channel 4/BBC America, is worthy of praise for many reasons. Long before The Guild, Comic Book Men, or Community have come along to celebrate and self-deprecate nerd culture of all kinds, Spaced crafted some of the most elaborate comic and niche culture parodies on television. But it never is bogged down by such references – writers Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes (then Jessica Stevenson) and director Edgar Wright have constructed a unique (to say the least) band of characters that embark on bard-worthy tales in their own right.

However, what sets Spaced apart for me is how well the cast and crew know their strengths and limitations, and how they work within those parameters. From the simply structural – that this series is only fourteen episodes long, to the overall themes – not taking life too seriously, supporting your crazy ass friends through thick and thin - this series knows exactly what it wants to say and how to say it. It’s especially worth recognizing when this fundamental awareness is so often lacking in television series, let alone most sitcoms, airing today.

So what exactly does Spaced know that most shows don’t?

Boob Tube Round-Up, Week of February 12 - February 18

As usual, this week brought the good (epic Batman parody on 30 Rock), the bad (the skyrocketing melodrama of Downton Abbey), and the maddening (Amber Braverman, you break my heart).

‘Downton Abbey’ and Soap (Opera) Scum

There’s a certain point when watching a soap-laden period drama stops being fun and just starts feeling… well… dirty. Not the kind of dirty felt after reading Lady Chatterly’s Lover. But the kind felt because the series has become so implausible and sensational that it overwhelms the enjoyment of it, let alone being intellectually engaged with it. During the first series, Downton Abbey was a grand escape, a way to explore a new world through characters entirely relateable to ourselves. Yet this past season, the melodrama been thrust into the spotlight, and the result is a more uncomfortable viewing experience. Even if there are still characters and relationships that keep this series worth watching, the imbalance of cringe-inducing soap-operatics to genuine emotional connection is growing at an alarming rate. This week’s double episode (2.06 by PBS’s count) is the paradigm example.

Boob Tube Round-Up, Week of January 29 – February 4

Breaking up is hard to do, but sometimes its for the best. New Girl and Project Runway, I'm sorry, but it's not me. It's you.

Boob Tube Round-Up, Week of January 15 - January 21

It's the week of celebrity cameos, and while some raise the bar (Paul Rudd!) and others disappoint (Lizzy Caplan, who deserves better), others are just cringe inducing (burning Miss Piggy as a guest judge from my memory after this round-up is done).

Boob Tube Round-Up, Week of January 8 – January 14

Oh Parks and Recreation, you had me at "Low-Cal Calzone Zone."

The Little Family Drama that Could: Parenthood’s “Road Trip”

 

With all the grand spiritual narratives and cutting comedies on my television line-up, I often overlook the heartfelt slice-of-life drama Parenthood. Yet no series moves me so deeply and sincerely on such a regular basis. Last week’s episode “Road Trip” is a paradigm example of what the series does best, by setting our Bravermans adrift across the California landscape and strictly focusing on the intricate relationships amongst them.

Boob Tube Round-Up, Week of January 1 - January 7

And we’re back in business! All hiatus and no new shows make TiaC a dull girl.