Peep Show

David Mitchell and Robert Webb return for the sixth series of their sitcom. It continues to follow the life and times of the anorak and the wastrel, although by now the characters are getting longer in the tooth. The credit crunch has hit Croydon, the twentysomethings have turned into thirtysomethings, fatherhood looms on the horizon and the anorak celebrates his promotion at work by splashing out on a boiler. Unlike a classic comedy that appeals to all ages, Peep Show targets a peer group who identify with the preoccupations and insecurities of the characters expressed through internal monologues. "[Its success] has a lot to do with being honest about what your life is like and the reality of living in London," says Mitchell.

Good on Channel 4 for keeping faith with Peep Show, despite viewing figures so small they can barely be seen with the naked eye. Now entering a sixth series, socially inept and emotionally stunted flatmates Mark and Jeremy (David Mitchell and Robert Webb) are trying not to think about the inescapable fact that one of them is the father of pregnant Sophie's baby. Wails Mark, "The baby is too big. You can't look at it. It's like the sun." It's up to the decrepit, drug-addled Super Hans (Matt King), who looks increasingly like a monster in a German Expressionist film, to keep the boys from one another's throats. But Mark's world turns to ashes when there's a fire drill at his office and the egregious Johnson (Paterson Joseph) makes an announcement in the car park. If you know little of Peep Show, then probably nothing short of the offer of a free cruise will persuade you to watch it. If you love it, rest assured, age has not wearied writers Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong's perfect little blackly comic gem.

Following in the footsteps of Kevin Bishop's cringe-fest, Peep Show is back to remind us (and Channel 4) what TV comedy is all about. With Mark and Jez still co-habiting in Croydon and drowning in each other's apathy, it's clear not much has changed (and of course we wouldn't want it any other way). Mark gets promoted and celebrates by getting a new boiler; and also gets Jez a job at his office, providing a platform for a rather brilliant quote regarding a work / porn incident. One of these idiots might be the father of Sophie's baby (anyone else secretly hoping it's Super Hans?). Recently Robert Webb told us that the thing that gets shouted at him most is "Oi, Peep Show". He sighed. But everyone, including him, knows this is the best thing they've ever done by a country mile. Lovely.

Webb 'delighted' with new Peep Show

Robert Webb has claimed that the new series of Peep Show is the best yet.

The return of one of the finest ever sitcoms in the history of the world ever - fact! Sam Bain and Jesse Armstrong's darkly comical flat share work of genius starring David Mitchell and Robert Webb is on tip top form as ever. Considering it's on its sixth series, that's no mean feat. Brilliant, inspired stuff!

Video: Peep Show 'won't change' for anyone

Sam Bain, one of the writer of Peep Show, insists he hasn't been forced to try and chase ratings as the show returns for its sixth series.

I'm going to do a Derren Brown now and predict with absolute certainty that the winner of Most Popular Comedy in the National Television Awards in 2010 will NOT be Peep Show.

How do I know? Well, its ratings are so low it doesn't even make it on to the long-list, so you couldn't vote for it even if you wanted to.

How weird and depressing is that? Perhaps if Derren does succeed in gluing viewers to their sofas tonight, ratings will pick up.

Well done anyway to Channel 4 for keeping the faith. This is series six and they've already commissioned series seven, so the eight or nine of us who do appreciate this comedy gem will be able to get our weekly fix of David Mitchell and Robert Webb. Far from running out of steam, the show just keeps getting better and better and is even in tune with current affairs.

This week, Mark gets Jez a job at the finance company where he works - but the credit crunch is about to hit Croydon and that brand new sofa suddenly looks like a foolish extravagance.

After last season's highlights‚ Mark's stationery cupboard encounter with Dobby, for one‚ it's hard to imagine that Peep Show has any more human awkwardness left to plumb. Wrong! With money tight, even Jez has sought conventional employment, while the imminent arrival of Sophie's baby gives both pause for paranoid interior monologue. As ever, this is uncomfortable stuff, which paradoxically you don't want to end. Generally, you'd imagine what Mark and Jez get up to couldn't conceivably be as bad as what they're thinking; happily, this new series is on hand to prove us wrong.

Peep Show - series six, episode one

While other contemporary sitcoms have staggered into the gutter, Peep Show still leaves people wanting more.

A peep at great comedy

An invitation to the Peep Show set to watch the new series being filmed is definitely an offer not to be sniffed at.