Peep Show is a British sitcom created by Jesse Armstrong and Sam Bain. In 2010 it became Channel 4’s longest running comedy, running from 2003 - 2015. The story revolves around Mark and Jez, two flatmates who’s lives are riddled with chaos and comical twists as they aim to continue with their everyday activities.
The first thing that intrigued me about Peep Show was the unique camera work involved. The show completely breaks the fourth wall and uses mainly POV shots to convey the narrative. This use of POV shots helps to create an ‘intimate’ [1] and personal feel as the audience are placed in the shoes of the characters and are therefore engrossed in the action / activities of the characters. Furthermore, due to this method of filming, there is hardly ever any context or exposition. The audience are placed within the action and then left to watch the characters develop in the situations they are put in. This helps to create a much more immediate feel as the audience and the characters are experiencing the action together at the same time.
The camera work helps to create a realistic and authentic experience for the audience, the mise-en-scene adds to this sense of realism. Mark and Jez’s flat is dimly lit with low key lighting, creating naturalistic shadows on the characters. This helps to create the effect of lamps and homely lighting, demonstrating to the audience what sort of environment these characters live in.
The setting of a small flat in Croydon and the surrounding area helps to convey a sense of the characters’ wealth (or lack of) and shows a “real, affordable London… where people live relatively normal lives” [2]. This helps the sitcom to be more relatable with Channel 4’s 18 - 30 year old age demographic who are likely to live in similar conditions. Due to the sitcom being relatable, according to Blumler and Katz’s Uses and Gratifications model, the audience is able to use the show as a form of escapism as they can easily get lost in the action the sitcom has engrossed them in. The props and costume also helps to convey the sense of realism within this sitcom. The characters usually wear t-shirts or jumpers that are similar to those that can be found on the high-street, showing them as normal, realistic people. Their costumes are also used to show their personalities. Jez can often be seen wearing t-shirts with rather juvenile designs which reflects his immaturity, whilst Mark can be seen in a suit and tie, showing him as businessman / aspiring businessman.
The unique POV camera work is complimented by the unique sound design of the sitcom. As well as there being the diegetic sound of the dialogue between the characters, non diegetic voiceover is used to convey their inner thoughts. As well as helping to convey the intimate feel created by the camera work, this technique has proved to be “a goldmine of comedy, because you never normally hear what someone’s thinking as well as what they’re saying” [1]. The comedy comes from their inner thoughts contrasting with what the characters are saying in their dialogue and the fact that the audience is aware of this contrast but the characters are not. For example, in Series 1 Episode 6 Mark is asking Jez whether he wants to come with him and Sophie on a holiday whilst his inner thoughts are saying “please say no”. [3]
The editing involved within this sitcom is very simplistic, adding to the natural, authentic feel of the show. The pace of the editing is consistent with the action occurring on screen. When there is just a conversation occurring between Mark and Jez, the editing is slow paced. However, in the Rainbow Rhythms scene of Series 2 Episode 1, the editing is faster paced due to the increased level of activity of the characters.
In conclusion, Peep Show is able to create an element of realism through the camerawork, sound design, mise-en-scene and editing. This realism helps to engross the audience within the action and therefore allows the show to have greater comic effect.
Bibliography
[1] The Telegraph (2009) David Mitchell and Robert Webb on Peep Show: interview [online] Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/6173383/David-Mitchell-and-Robert-Webb-on-Peep-Show-interview.html [Accessed on: 06/12/2016]
[2] Inside Croydon (2015) How Croydon was the perfect comedy fit for Peep Show [online] Available at: https://insidecroydon.com/2015/12/16/how-croydon-was-the-perfect-comedy-fit-for-peep-show/ [Accessed on: 06/12/2016]
[3] Peep Show (2003) Available at: http://www.channel4.com/programmes/peep-show/on-demand/33196-001 [Accessed on: 06/12/2016]
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