US Version of "Spaced" Pilot Ordered.

[Rev Scapegoat]

Some more details on the US release of the real Spaced

FROM THE CREATORS OF SHAUN OF THE DEAD AND HOT FUZZ COMES

THE AWARD-WINNING CULT COMEDY SPACED: THE COMPLETE SERIES

“The one, the only…Spaced. Accept no substitute"

Quentin Tarantino (Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill)

New Exclusive Commentary By Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Bill Hader, Matt Stone, Patton Oswalt and Diablo Cody

May 5, 2008 – This July, the clever and edgy comedy series that started it all for the award-winning team behind Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, Spaced will be available for the first time in North America in a new collector’s DVD set from BBC VideoÔ. From creator-stars Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) and Jessica Hynes (nee Stevenson) (Shaun of the Dead, Son of Rambow), this 3-disc set features all 14 surreal episodes of the award-winning show, described by Pegg as “a cross between The Simpsons, The X-Files and Northern Exposure.” Spaced: The Complete Series will arrive in stores on July 22, 2008 for suggested retail price of $49.98. The prebook date is June 17, 2008.

"Spaced is utter brilliance. Constantly and amazingly laugh-out-loud funny and heart wrenchingly emotional, this is a series for, well, anyone who has ever lived," says JJ Abrams (Lost, Star Trek). "Watching Spaced is kinda like watching a Kevin Smith film if Kevin Smith had any real talent," confesses Kevin Smith (Clerks, Dogma). "I watch and re-watch Spaced from time to time to remind myself how good television comedy can be," says Matt Stone (South Park, Team America: World Police).

Boasting over eight hours of content, Spaced: The Complete Series features bonus material including the all-new commentary from Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Matt Stone, Bill Hader (Superbad, Saturday Night Live), Patton Oswalt (King of Queens, Ratatouille) and Diablo Cody (Oscar®-winning writer of Juno).

Among the many accolades Spaced, distributed by Channel 4, has garnered from fans and critics alike, Hynes won British Comedy Awards in 1999 and 2001 for her smart portrayal of moody writer Daisy. Additionally, Spaced received BAFTA (UK equivalent to the Emmy) nominations in 2000 and 2002 for Best Situation Comedy and an International Emmy Award nomination in 2001.

SPEAKING OUT ON SPACED

“The best thing out of England since Winston Churchill.” - Seth Rogen (Superbad, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up)

“I laughed hard and I hate comedy.” - Judd Apatow (Director of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up)

“Daisy Steiner is a revelation: a female character who isn't an accessory, martyr, one-dimensional fantasy object or humorless foil.” “In a world of prefab TV pairs, Tim and Daisy are a miracle: He's an observant, whip-smart geek, she's a slacker-feminist icon, and together, they're as real as it gets.” - Diablo Cody (Oscar-winning writer of Juno)

“Innovative. Witty. Hilarious. Spaced is the show we American comedians watch and say 'How the hell did they get away with this?! Spaced is the sole reason I bought an all region DVD player. Now you have no excuse! Buy this and you can officially be cool.” - Bill Hader (Superbad, Saturday Night Live)

“Annoyingly good.” - Eddie Izzard (The Riches)

“Spaced is a to-be-envied, to-be-cherished blend of pop culture heartbreak and genuine human hilarity. It's also a foolproof Idiot Test. Here's how it works: if someone ever tries to duplicate, replicate, or otherwise re-do this one-of-a-kind show, they're an Idiot! Aren't we all lucky to have such a thing in our world?” - Patton Oswalt (King of Queens, Ratatouille)

“Brilliant! Hilarious! The first TV show to combine my love of Star Wars, Evil Dead, and funny Brits. If I had grown up in England this show would be the documentary of my life... Although I think it already is.” - Eli Roth (Cabin Fever, Hostel I & II)

“The wonderfully funny, outrageous and unique British television comedy series that manages to be both insane and sweet at the same time! A very influential show from the guys who gave us Shaun of the Dead” - John Landis (Director of American Werewolf, Blues Brothers)

“Spaced is too smart, too entertaining, and too hilarious for American television. When Americans get a glimpse of this mind-blowing show, they will take to the streets, demanding a reason as to why they've been deprived of Spaced pleasure for so long.” - Mike White (Freaks and Geeks, School of Rock)

“The greatest television show in the history of television! The gold standard of geek cool!” - Harry Knowles (Ain't It Cool News)

SPACED: THE COMPLETE SERIES BONUS FEATURES

New exclusive commentary with director Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, Jessica Hynes (nee Stevenson) and guests Quentin Tarantino, Kevin Smith, Bill Hader, Matt Stone, Patton Oswalt and Diablo Cody.
Exclusive Spaced On Stage reunion Q&A recorded at the National Film Theatre, London in October 2007.
“Skip to the End” - Exclusive feature length documentary
“Spaced Jam” by Osymyso
Outtakes
Trailers
Deleted scenes
Raw footage
Photo gallery
Homage-O-Meter - An onscreen feature that tracks each pop-culture reference
Newly updated cast and crew biographies

SPACED: SEASON ONE EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS

Episode One - Beginnings

Daisy and Tim, two drifting twenty-somethings, meet by chance in a North London cafe. Their love lives and professional endeavors are a mess, and both are desperately in need of accommodation. When the perfect flat becomes available, Daisy and Tim decide to pool their misfortune and pose as a couple in order to secure it. Could this be the beginning of a beautiful friendship?

Episode Two - Gatherings

Having successfully secured the flat, Daisy and Tim get accustomed to their landlady (weird), their angst-ridden artist neighbor Brian (weirder) and each other (weirdest). Daisy helpfully suggests a housewarming party, but there are some things even the best home-made foil disco ball can’t fix.

Episode Three - Art

Tim is plagued by zombies. Daisy is in the midst of a career crisis. Together, they experience a bizarre figure from Brian’s history, when an invitation to an art show is delivered to them by accident, and they enter the strange world of transgender, performance artist, Vulva.

Episode Four - Battles

Daisy decides getting a dog will solve all her problems. Meanwhile, a deadly serious paintball skirmish spirals into something even more critical when Tim and best buddy Mike encounter former-friend-turned-bastard, Duane Benzie. A gripping story of love, betrayal and triumph ensues amidst the spattered battlefield that is Elimination Paintball Games.

Episode Five - Chaos

Daisy loves Colin, her new dog. Tim however, does not. Tension at 23 Meteor Street is at an all time high but things get so much worse when Colin is dog-napped on Tim’s watch. It’s up to Tim to organize a daring rescue mission and clear his name.

Episode Six - Epiphanies

Tim’s friend, the mercurial Tyres stops by to collect a debt and persuade everyone to come raving. Twist and Mike join the party, but for some reason Brian does not “go clubbing.” Will Brian face down his demons? Will Tim and Daisy ever speak to each other again? Will Mike really wear that pink top?

Episode Seven - Ends

The season ends with a bang - Tim gets a call from ex-girlfriend Sarah, asking if he wants to 'meet'. Brian and Twist go on their first date and Mike gets a re-evaluation at the Territorial Army. Meanwhile, Daisy has to face the possibility of leaving the place she has called home for six eventful months.

SPACED: SEASON TWO EPISODE DESCRIPTIONS

Episode One - Back

Having fulfilled her dream of travelling through Asia, Daisy is delighted to finally be home. Things appear to be more or less the same, except that Mike has moved into her bedroom, Brian has apparently discovered what happiness means, Colin doesn't seem that bothered to see her and Tim is even more bitter than usual. Good thing Daisy’s met a cute but mysterious stranger at the airport …

Episode Two - Change

Tim's anguish at The Phantom Menace loses him his job. Daisy is having financial troubles, having let slip her sojourn to Asia at the benefit office. Brian is finding inspiration to be a fickle mistress and after Amber's spectacular departure, Marsha finds herself with a spare room. Lucky then that Mike has just been made homeless.

Episode Three - Mettle

Daisy flies over the cuckoo's nest when she finds herself employed in the kitchen of a Mexican Restaurant. Meanwhile Tim and Mike's plans to win Robot Wars are sabotaged by their dastardly rivals and Brian gets his big chance at success when he is asked to step in for a wounded artist at a local exhibition.

Episode Four - Help

Tim has a shot at the big time when Darkstar Comics, decide to give him a call. However when Daisy unwittingly inserts an offensive drawing of Darkstar boss, Damien Knox into Tim's portfolio, the race is on to retrieve the picture and save Tim’s career. Meanwhile a contrite Daisy decides jogging will absolve her and Brian's unsuspecting Mother pays a visit to her son...the lawyer.

Episode Five - Gone

When Tim's new girlfriend Sophie, cancels a date, Daisy offers to hang out with Tim. However, their night on the tiles does not go as planned and the dynamic duo find themselves pitted against a pack of terrifying youths. Fortunately Daisy and Tim are armed and ready, with some premium oregano and a fistful of fingers.

Episode Six - Dissolution

It’s Daisy’s birthday and Tim has a big surprise planned. However when Marsha spies him snogging Sophie in the front garden, the little falsehood he and Daisy wove so long ago begins to unravel and the real surprise turns out to be far less pleasant than a cake.

Episode Seven - Leaves

Marsha puts the house up for sale. Tim, Daisy, Mike, and Brian will soon be homeless and Twist is leaving for Manchester. Is there anything that can stop our heroes drifting apart forever? If there is, it will definitely have to be something "bloody spectacular".

Notes to Editors:

BBC Worldwide Limited is the main commercial arm and a wholly owned subsidiary of the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). The company exists to maximize the value of the BBC’s assets for the benefit of the license payer and invest in public service programming in return for rights. The company has seven core businesses: Global Channels, Global TV Sales, Magazines, Content & Production, Home Entertainment, Global Brands and Digital Media. In 2006/07 BBC Worldwide generated profits of £111 million on sales of £810 million.

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Artwork for all titles is available on www.whvdirect.com. Register on this website for exclusive art to this title and all BBC Video and Warner Home Video titles.

# # #

Spaced: The Complete Series
Street Date: July 22, 2008

Price: $49.98

[MarkMono]

lost of Americans rip off British comedy, tell us something we don't know.

[Draven]

Why the fuck do they need another special edition DVD? I've got mine proudly sitting on my bookshelf, I don't need a bunch of Yankee voice overs.

Seriously, leave Spaced alone. It will not translate well. Spaced was very "on the pulse" for British culture, and for it to do the same in America would require a complete re-write of the show so it's completely different.

Not happy with this at all. I still would like to see a third series, I don't care if Pegg says "nobody wants to see Tim and Daisy all grown up" WELL I DO!!!

[Draven]

Couldn't edit my post.

But here's the appropriate response to the news of a Spaced remake I'm sure you will agree:

YouTube - Simon Pegg

[GreatKingRat]

Originally Posted by softparody

The humour in Spaced is very british humour and it's just not going to work if they remake it.

I would've said that about The Office.

[Rowsbette]

Originally Posted by GreatKingRat

I would've said that about The Office.

But surely Curb Your Enthusiasm is the same kinda comedy of embarrassment...?

I too think this is a daft idea (snapshot of a certain time, as mentioned loadsa sitcoms now whack in loadsa cultural references etc.) but I think some of the claims that Americans won't "get it" are a bit patronising. It's a pretty big country.

[Tacky]

There's a group on facebook who have tried to start a petition against this being made.

And come on - there are so many jokes that dig at America in red Dwarf, so surely them having their own version.....i mean, its just silly!

The big bang theory, for example - it is funny, i quite enjoy it, i hate the amount of canned laughter over it. Spaced has NO canned laughter. If there was, the guys in the scene would all look around them to see someone pressing a button on a sound machine you know? I really hope they dont do the canned laughter thing.

[metallideth]

That Big Bang Theory is utterly atrocious, and exactly how I'd imagine a US version of Spaced. The problem with most mainstream US comedy isn't that it's necessarily "dumb" or irony-free, it's that for some reason the producers try to turn the end of every sentence into a punchline.

[Stew]

Originally Posted by Rowsbette

But surely Curb Your Enthusiasm is the same kinda comedy of embarrassment...?

I always had Curb Your Enthusiasm next to Alan Partridge's show, and Arrested Development next to The Office in my head, I have no idea why though. My brain works in mysterious ways.

[Tacky]

Originally Posted by metallideth

for some reason the producers try to turn the end of every sentence into a punchline.

Its like a formula they use? Or maybe they have to write it that way because its a requirement by some of the networks?

[MarkMono]

Or the way they phrase everything as a question?

[Tacky]

Yeh, what's with that?

[Draven]

Like yeah, totally, y'know?

[PapaZeb]

Ah...the California rising-inflection mode of speech that makes me want to throttle people as they open their mouth.

[Rev Scapegoat]

I thought that was an Australian thing?