Peep Show

The brilliance of Peep Show (2003-2015)

It's been five years since the 'El Dude Brothers' last graced our TV screens. Written primarily by Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain with David Mitchell and Robert Webb spearheading the project, it is justly Channel 4's longest running comedy show in its history. Famed for its ambitious use of the first person perspective and interior monologue, this cult classic proves to depict the glory of British humour and British sitcoms generally.

Disability need not be a punchline

British television and British humour are two worlds that go hand in hand. British comedy television contains many representations of various groups, but disability often meets comedy at an intersection where disabled people sit at the butt of cheap jokes: from the severely sight impaired American cartoon character Mr Magoo to the use of mental health problems for comedic gain in Peep Show.

Netflix remove Peep Show scene containing blackface

The scene, which appears in the season two episode "Dance Class", first aired in 2004 and sees Jez (p]Robert Webb]) try to impress love interest Nancy (Rachel Blanchard) by breaking "sexual taboos", including wearing blackface. Jez questions the ethics of wearing blackface, saying that it "feels almost wrong" before asking: "Are you sure this isn't racist?", leading Nancy to reply: "We're breaking a taboo, of course, it feels wrong" and later add: "Jeremy, I come from America. I've seen the problems race brings up." The scene has been cut from the Mitchell and Webb sitcom on Netflix, but is yet to be removed from Channel 4's own catch-up service All4.

C4: erasing creative history is not a quick fix

Critics say removal of problematic TV shows from streaming platforms is an 'arbitrary gesture' that does little to combat racism.

Why Peep Show's Mark Corrigan is a psychopath

Funny? Yes. A good person? Most definitely not.

Isy Suttie on Peep Show's legacy

The actress, who played Dobby on the long-running series, reflects on its lasting popularity.

Brits turn to classics such as Dad's Army for comfort

Brits are turning to telly classics such as Dad's Army for comfort during lockdown, new streaming figures show.

Figures from Now TV show that in the past ten days Dad's Army's popularity has gone up 211 per cent.

Other old British favourites have also seen huge leaps -- with 87 per cent more viewers for Only Fools And Horses.

Top 20 British sitcoms of 21st century: Peep Show

Peep Show is still the longest running sitcom in Channel 4 history. Two things particularly (other than Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain's brilliant writing) elevate it above the usual odd couple style flat share set-up. Firstly, the unique way it is filmed, enabling us to not only see the world through Mark and Jez's eyes but hear their (often not entirely flattering) thoughts.