10 Shows and Movies Similar to Peep Show (2003)

Description: This Irish sitcom shares 'Peep Show's' dark humor and focus on flawed characters in absurd situations. Both shows feature protagonists who are trapped in their circumstances (priests on a remote island vs. flatmates in London) and who frequently make terrible decisions. The shows share a similar surreal quality and use of visual gags.

Fact: The show was originally going to be set in a retirement home. The small island setting was inspired by real remote Irish islands. The show's creators later made 'The IT Crowd' and 'Black Books'.

Description: Like 'Peep Show', 'Spaced' uses innovative visual techniques to enhance its comedy, though where 'Peep Show' uses first-person perspective, 'Spaced' employs homages to film and TV genres. Both shows feature aimless, twenty-something protagonists navigating relationships and dead-end jobs. The shows share a similar British sensibility and surreal humor.

Fact: The show launched the careers of Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, and director Edgar Wright. Many scenes parody specific films, including 'The Shining' and 'Dawn of the Dead'. The show was originally going to be called 'Asylum'.

Description: This British sitcom shares 'Peep Show's' dark humor and focus on misanthropic characters. Both shows feature protagonists who are socially awkward and often drunk, with a similar cynical view of the world. The shows share a surreal quality, with everyday situations escalating into absurdity. Like 'Peep Show', 'Black Books' uses quick cuts and visual gags to enhance its humor.

Fact: Dylan Moran (Bernard) co-created the show with Graham Linehan. Many scenes were improvised, particularly those involving Bernard's drunken rants. The show was originally going to be set in a record shop rather than a bookshop.

Description: Like 'Peep Show', 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' uses a cringe-inducing, awkward humor style, often putting its protagonist in socially uncomfortable situations. Both shows feature flawed, self-absorbed main characters who frequently make poor decisions. The improvisational style of 'Curb' mirrors the naturalistic dialogue of 'Peep Show', and both use point-of-view shots (though 'Peep Show' takes this much further with its first-person perspective).

Fact: The show was originally conceived as a one-hour special called 'Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm'. Most of the dialogue is improvised based on detailed outlines rather than scripts. Larry David plays a fictionalized version of himself, similar to how Jerry Seinfeld played 'Jerry' on 'Seinfeld'.

Description: Both 'Peep Show' and 'Arrested Development' feature deeply flawed characters who constantly make terrible decisions, often due to their own selfishness or stupidity. The shows share a similar cynical, satirical tone and both employ innovative storytelling techniques - 'Peep Show' with its first-person perspective and internal monologues, 'Arrested Development' with its complex narrative structure and running gags. The dysfunctional family dynamic in 'Arrested Development' mirrors the dysfunctional friendship in 'Peep Show'.

Fact: The show was nearly canceled after its first season due to low ratings. The narrator, Ron Howard, was also one of the show's executive producers. Many jokes and references are designed to reward repeat viewing, with subtle foreshadowing and callbacks.

Description: This surreal British comedy shares 'Peep Show's' innovative visual style and dark humor. Both shows feature eccentric characters navigating awkward social situations, with a similar mix of verbal and physical comedy. The shows share a fast-paced, almost chaotic energy, with scenes often cutting rapidly between characters.

Fact: The show was originally developed as a more traditional medical drama. Many scenes were improvised, particularly those involving Mark Heap's character. The show used unusual filming techniques, including speed changes and jump cuts, to create its distinctive style.

Description: This show shares 'Peep Show's' dark humor and focus on terrible people making awful decisions. Both feature protagonists who are selfish, delusional, and completely lacking in self-awareness. The shows similarly explore the absurdity of everyday situations taken to extremes. While 'Peep Show' uses internal monologues to reveal characters' thoughts, 'Sunny' externalizes this through characters' outrageous dialogue and actions.

Fact: The show was originally rejected by several networks before FX picked it up. The main cast (Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day, and Glenn Howerton) are also the creators and writers. Danny DeVito joined the cast in season 2 after FX requested a 'name actor' to help ratings.

Description: This workplace comedy shares 'Peep Show's' focus on socially awkward characters and cringe humor. Both shows feature protagonists who are outcasts in their own environments, with a similar mix of verbal and physical comedy. The shows share a cynical view of modern life and corporate culture, though 'The IT Crowd' is more overtly farcical.

Fact: The show was created by Graham Linehan, who also co-created 'Black Books'. The iconic 'Have you tried turning it off and on again?' line was almost cut for being too technical. Richard Ayoade (Moss) went on to direct several acclaimed films.

Description: Like 'Peep Show', 'The Inbetweeners' focuses on socially awkward characters navigating embarrassing situations, with a similar cringe comedy style. Both shows feature protagonists who are often their own worst enemies, making terrible decisions due to insecurity or misguided confidence. The shows share a brutally honest portrayal of male friendship and the awkwardness of young adulthood.

Fact: The show was originally going to be called 'The Inbetweeners' because the characters were 'in between' childhood and adulthood. Many of the show's most outrageous moments were based on real-life experiences of the writers. The show spawned two successful movies after its TV run ended.

Description: While different in format (reality TV vs. scripted comedy), both shows share a similar cringe-inducing humor and focus on social awkwardness. Nathan Fielder's deadpan delivery and the show's exploration of human behavior under uncomfortable circumstances mirror the tone of 'Peep Show'. Both feature protagonists who are socially inept but convinced of their own brilliance.

Fact: Nathan Fielder graduated from business school before creating the show. Many of the business owners featured on the show didn't realize it was a comedy at first. The show's most elaborate episode, 'The Hero', involved creating an entirely fake TV show within the show.