Friday Night Dinner fans must watch forgotten sitcom with 100% Rotten Tomatoes score
Friday Night Dinner fans have been urged to watch a British sitcom that aired 12 years before the Channel 4 hit show.
A TV enthusiast recently appealed to Reddit users, asking them to recommend similar "light-hearted shows." The thread quickly garnered over 100 comments, with some urging the original user to stream Spaced, which also aired on Channel 4.
Making its debut in 1999, the two-season series received critical acclaim during its time on air. It was nominated for a British Comedy Award for Best TV Sitcom in its first year on air, and went on to received two BAFTA TV Award nominations for Best Situation Comedy.
Written by Simon Pegg and Jessica Hynes (née Stevenson), who also star, the comedy follows 20-somethings Tim and Daisy. Desperate to find a new home, the duo pose as a couple to secure the only apartment they can afford.
Pegg and Stevenson are joined by Julia Deakin, Nick Frost and Mark Heap, who also starred in Friday Night Dinner. Behind the scenes, celebrated filmmaker Edgar Wright serves as the director.
Over 25 years since its debut, Spaced is still a hit with viewers and critics alike, boasting a rare 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating for both seasons. What's more, viewers are still petitioning for the show's return, with one voicing: "I wish this show could come back!"
Audiences on IMDb are equally enthusiastic about the Pegg-led comedy. "Possibly the best thing to ever happen to television," raves a recent review.
The viewer continues: "The whole two series was as close to perfect as I can imagine. Funny, beautifully shot, well-produced, the only downside was that there wasn't more of it."
Another fan agreed, writing: "Possibly the best British show ever," before adding: "Simon Pegg, master of modern comedy and the gorgeous Jessica Stevenson [...] have written and starred in what I consider to be the best British comedy ever."
Meanwhile, a third viewer echoed the praise: "Having just watched this series again, I am prepared to say that 'Spaced' is definitely one of the greatest comedy shows EVER!"
With a final person sharing their verdict: "It's just brilliant! It's one of my favourite shows and I love rewatching it and noticing all of the different little laughs!"
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