View source for Spaced

{{Short description|British TV sitcom (1999–2001)}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=January 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = Spaced (title card).jpg
| image_size           = 235
| genre                = {{Plainlist|
*[[Sitcom]]
*[[Satire]]
*[[Surreal humour]]
*[[Screwball comedy]]
}}
| creator              = {{Plainlist|
*[[Jessica Hynes|Jessica Stevenson]]
*[[Simon Pegg]]
}}
| writer               = {{Plainlist|
*Jessica Stevenson 
* Simon Pegg
}}
| director             = [[Edgar Wright]]
| starring             = {{Plainlist|
*Jessica Stevenson
*Simon Pegg
* [[Julia Deakin]]
*[[Nick Frost]]
*[[Mark Heap]]
*[[Katy Carmichael]]
}}
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| num_episodes         = 14
| executive_producer   = {{Plainlist|
*[[Humphrey Barclay]]
*Tony Orsten
}}
| producer             = {{Plainlist|
*[[Gareth Edwards (producer)|Gareth Edwards]]
*[[Nira Park]]
}}
| editor               = {{Plainlist|
*[[Chris Dickens]]
*[[Paul Machliss]]
}}
| camera               = [[Single-camera setup|Single-camera]]
| runtime              = 25 minutes
| company              = {{Plainlist|
*[[London Weekend Television]]
*[[Comedy Central (British TV channel)|Paramount Comedy Channel]]
}}
| first_aired          = {{Start date|1999|09|24|df=y}}
| last_aired           = {{End date|2001|04|13|df=y}}
| num_series           = 2
| channel              = [[Channel 4]]
}}

'''''Spaced''''' is a British television [[sitcom]] created, written by and starring [[Simon Pegg]] and [[Jessica Hynes|Jessica Stevenson]], and directed by [[Edgar Wright]], about the comedic, and sometimes surreal and action-packed, misadventures of Daisy Steiner and Tim Bisley, two twenty-something [[London|Londoners]] who, despite only having just met, decide to move in together after she gives up on [[squatting]] and he is kicked out by his ex-girlfriend. Supporting roles include [[Nick Frost]] as Tim's best friend Mike, [[Katy Carmichael]] as Daisy's best friend Twist, [[Mark Heap]] as lodger Brian who lives downstairs and [[Julia Deakin]] as landlady Marsha.

The first series of the show, comprising seven episodes, premiered in the UK on [[Channel 4]] on 24 September 1999, and the second and final series, also consisting of seven episodes, started on 23 February 2001 and concluded on 13 April.

Both series were nominated for the [[British Academy Television Award for Best Situation Comedy|BAFTA TV Award for Best Situation Comedy]].

== Plot ==
Daisy Steiner and Tim Bisley are two London based twenty-somethings who meet by chance in a café while both are flat-hunting. Despite barely knowing each other, they conspire to pose as a young professional couple in order to meet the requisites of an advertisement for a relatively cheap flat in the distinctive building at 23 Meteor Street, [[Tufnell Park]], owned by resident landlady Marsha Klein. Also in the building is Brian Topp, an eccentric conceptual artist who lives and works on his various pieces in the ground-floor flat.<ref group="ep" name="Beginnings" /> Frequent visitors are Daisy's best friend Twist Morgan and Tim's best friend Mike Watt. The latter ends up becoming a lodger after Marsha's daughter Amber Weary "flies the nest".<ref group="ep" name="Change" />

The series largely concerns the surreal and awkward adventures of Tim and Daisy as they navigate through life, come to terms with affairs of the heart, and try to figure out new and largely unproductive ways of killing time. They repeatedly clarify that they are not a couple to everyone but Marsha, but despite this, romantic tension develops between them, particularly during the second series.

== Characters ==
{{Main|List of Spaced characters|label1=List of ''Spaced'' characters}}

* [[Simon Pegg]] as Tim Bisley
* [[Jessica Hynes|Jessica Stevenson]] as Daisy Steiner
* [[Nick Frost]] as Mike Watt
* [[Katy Carmichael]] as Twist Morgan
* [[Mark Heap]] as Brian Topp
* [[Julia Deakin]] as Marsha Klein
* Aida as Colin, a [[Miniature Schnauzer]]

== Production ==
The show has a distinctive style inspired by cinema and sitcoms, with Edgar Wright citing ''[[The Simpsons]]'', ''[[The Young Ones (TV series)|The Young Ones]]'' and the "whimsical dream sequences" of ''[[The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin]]'' as influences.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Spaced at 20: How we made a British cult classic |url=https://lwlies.com/articles/spaced-oral-history-simon-pegg-edgar-wright-jessica-hynes/ |access-date=2025-01-07 |website=Little White Lies |language=en}}</ref> It was shot with a [[single-camera setup|single camera]]. In addition to borrowing liberally from the visual language of film it has particular stylistic mannerisms, such as the recurring device of scene changes occurring in the middle of a pan. The series' atmosphere is also established by the use of a particular flavour of contemporary dance music on its soundtrack.<ref name="bbc-comedy-guide">{{cite web|title=BBC&nbsp;— Comedy Guide&nbsp;— Spaced|first=Mark|last=Lewisohn|author-link=Mark Lewisohn|work=The bbc.co.uk Guide to Comedy |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/s/spaced_66603210.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070301015447/http://www.bbc.co.uk/comedy/guide/articles/s/spaced_66603210.shtml|archive-date=1 March 2007 |access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

''[[Northern Exposure]]''<nowiki>'</nowiki>s frequent use of fantasy sequences was "one of the key influences" in the creation of the show, and Pegg and Stevenson pitched the show to [[LWT]] as "a cross between ''[[The Simpsons]]'', ''[[The X-Files]]'' and ''Northern Exposure''."<ref name="spacedout-about-spaced">{{cite web |last=Pegg |first=Simon |last2=Lee |first2=Nick |date=April 2001 |title=About Spaced&nbsp;— What Is Spaced? |url=http://www.spaced-out.org.uk/about-spaced/whatisspaced.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505031406/http://www.spaced-out.org.uk/about-spaced/whatisspaced.shtml |archive-date=5 May 2008 |access-date=21 October 2011 |work=Spaced Out |at=Influences}}</ref><ref name="partypeople">{{cite web|url=http://www.partypeoplemovie.com/film_sub.php?section=1&subsection=1&article_id=64|title=We Grab the Spaced Leading Man in a Quiet Moment Between Projects...|work=24 Hour Party People|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080416072720/http://www.partypeoplemovie.com/film_sub.php?section=1&subsection=1&article_id=64|archive-date=16 April 2008}}</ref>

The series is dense with references to popular culture, including but not limited to science fiction and horror films, comic books, and video games. The Series 2 DVD release introduced the "Homage-o-meter", an alternative set of subtitles listing every reference and homage; the "Definitive Collectors Edition" boxed set introduced a similar subtitle track for Series 1.<ref name="screenonline-homages">{{cite web|title=Spaced (1999-2001)|first=Emma|last=Perry|work=BFI Screenonline |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/966650/index.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302033135/http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/966650/index.html|archive-date=2 March 2008|access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref> ''[[2000 AD (comics)|2000 AD]]'' artists Jim Murray and [[Jason Brashill]] provided the artwork for Tim's comic ''The Bear'', as well as other incidental artwork for the show. Tim's boss Bilbo wears a ''2000 AD'' comic T-shirt whilst lecturing Tim about ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace]]''.<ref group="ep" name="Change" />

The series is also noted for its regular recreational drug use references, from its title onwards. Tim and Daisy smoke cannabis on a number of occasions, one episode centring on its use.<ref group="ep" name="Gone" /> Tim and Mike take speed on one occasion,<ref group="ep" name="Art" /> and it is implied that Tim, Mike, Daisy, Twist and Brian take ecstasy while clubbing.<ref group="ep" name="Epiphanies" />

== Music ==
{{Main|Spaced: Soundtrack to the TV Series}}

Individual tracks that were particularly featured in an episode included "[[Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby]]?" by Louis Jordan,<ref name="Ends" group="ep" /> "Smash It"<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq7trCPhxyo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/qq7trCPhxyo| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-08|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> by [[Fuzz Townshend]],<ref name="Back" group="ep" /><ref name="Mettle" group="ep" /> and "[[The Staunton Lick]]"<ref>{{Cite web|title=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ls_XYQuGJU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211211/6Ls_XYQuGJU| archive-date=2021-12-11 |url-status=live|access-date=2020-07-08|website=www.youtube.com}}{{cbignore}}</ref> by [[Lemon Jelly]]. A [[Guy Pratt]] remix of the ''[[The A-Team|A-Team]]'' theme song, featured at the conclusion of "[[#ep6|Epiphanies]]",<ref name="Epiphanies" group="ep" /> was a fan favourite{{citation needed|date=June 2017}}, but was never made commercially available.

In 2001, a [[Spaced: Soundtrack to the TV Series|soundtrack to the first series]] was released in tandem with the first series' release on DVD and videotape. A second soundtrack was not released, although the series' official fan website has an episode-by-episode list of music featured in the second series.<ref name="spacedout-soundtrack">{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Nick|title=The Series 2 Soundtrack|url=http://www.spaced-out.org.uk/s2soundtrack/|access-date=21 March 2007|work=Spaced Out}}</ref>

== Episodes ==
=== Series 1 (1999) ===
{{Episode table |background=#000000 |overall=5 |series=5 |title=22 |director=20 |writer=24 |airdate=18 |episodes=

{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 1
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 1
 |Title = Beginnings
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1999|9|24|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = [[List of characters in Spaced#Main characters|Daisy Steiner]] is living in a squat, and [[List of characters in Spaced#Main characters|Tim Bisley]] is homeless after breaking up with his girlfriend. The two meet in a cafe and form a friendship as they search for accommodation. When they notice a listing for a flat they like but which is for a 'professional couple' only, they decide to pass themselves off as a long term couple in order to fool [[List of characters in Spaced#Main characters|Marsha Klein]], their prospective landlady.
 |LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 2
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 2
 |Title = Gatherings
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1999|10|1|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = Daisy plans a housewarming party to avoid doing any work. Guests include her friend [[List of characters in Spaced#Main characters|Twist Morgan]], Marsha, and [[List of characters in Spaced#Main characters|Brian Topp]] who lives in the same building. Marsha's daughter Amber throws a separate party upstairs, to which all the guests eventually go.

 |LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 3
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 3
 |Title = Art
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1999|10|8|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = After taking some [[Amphetamine|speed]], Tim has spent all night playing ''[[Resident Evil 2]]'' and Mike has accidentally travelled to [[Sheffield]]. Daisy has a job interview at a classy women's magazine ("Flaps") and Brian has an invitation to a new art show by Vulva ([[David Walliams]]), his former partner. At the art show, Tim's hallucinations of zombies cause him to punch Vulva in the face before fleeing. The episode concludes with Daisy's idea for performance art, a parody of [[Bruce Nauman]]'s work "Clown Torture", which leads Tim to remark that it is obviously harder than it looks.

This episode served as the inspiration for the 2004 horror comedy film ''[[Shaun of the Dead]]'', which both Pegg and Wright were both heavily involved in.

 |LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 4
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 4
 |Title = Battles
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1999|10|15|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = After getting dumped by her boyfriend Richard, Daisy decides to cheer herself up by getting a dog called Colin. Having suffered a fear of dogs since childhood, Tim is not pleased by this. Tim and Mike go [[Woodsball|paintballing]], and encounter Tim's arch-nemesis, Duane Benzie ([[Peter Serafinowicz]]), who stole Tim's girlfriend.

 |LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 5
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 5
 |Title = Chaos
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1999|10|22|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = Daisy is strongly bonding with new dog Colin, much to Tim's displeasure. When Colin disappears while being walked by Tim, Daisy suspects Tim of letting Colin go. But Tim learns that the dog has been abducted by a ruthless, sinister cosmetics testing vivisectionist, and plans a daring rescue attempt.

 |LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 6
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 6
 |Title = Epiphanies
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1999|10|29|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = Tim's [[Bicycle messenger|bicycle courier]] friend Tyres ([[Michael Smiley]]) pops round for a cup of tea and decides to take the gang clubbing.
Featured songs: "Synth and Strings" - [[Yomanda]]<br>"Let Me Show You" - [[Camisra]]

 |LineColor = 000000
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 7
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 7
 |Title = Ends
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|1999|11|5|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = Tim is ecstatic when his ex-girlfriend Sarah decides she wants him back; Daisy is less so, causing much tension around the flat. Mike has an interview at the [[Territorial Army (United Kingdom)|Territorial Army]] to determine whether he should be allowed back in following an incident in which he stole a tank. Following a heated argument, Daisy finally manages to write some articles, and Tim finally realises the right path for him. Brian asks Twist out on a date, and they begin a relationship.
 |LineColor = 000000
}}
}}

=== Series 2 (2001) ===
{{Episode table |background=#e97bf8 |overall=5 |series=5 |title=22 |director=20 |writer=24 |airdate=18 |episodes=

{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 8
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 1
 |Title = Back
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|2|23|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = After receiving an injection of money following the sale of her articles, Daisy returns from her holiday in [[Asia]], but finds it hard to settle back into normal life. Tim, a [[Star Wars]] fan, has been deeply upset by the poor quality of ''[[Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace|The Phantom Menace]]''. Mike has been thrown out of his home after shooting the cat, and is sleeping in Daisy's room. Two sinister black-suited ''[[The Matrix|Matrix]]''-like Agents ([[Kevin Eldon]] and [[Mark Gatiss]]) are hunting for Daisy after her bag was switched by a stranger ([[John Simm]]) at the airport.

 |LineColor = e97bf8
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 9
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 2
 |Title = Change
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|3|2|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = Following a dispute with a young customer over [[Jar Jar Binks]] merchandise and Tim's inability to cope with the [[Star Wars prequel trilogy|Star Wars prequels]], Bilbo fires Tim. Daisy is trying to claim benefits at the [[Jobcentre Plus|Job Centre]], despite not having signed on to the [[Jobseeker's Allowance|dole]] for three months due to her holiday. Brian is horrified to discover that his relationship with Twist is affecting his artistic output. After Amber leaves home, Marsha finds herself a new lodger – Mike.

 |LineColor = e97bf8
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 10
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 3
 |Title = Mettle
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|3|9|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = Tim and Mike are in the [[Robot Wars (TV series)|Robot Wars]] quarter final, but their robot is sabotaged by a rival ([[Reece Shearsmith]]). Meanwhile, after being fired from several jobs, Daisy starts working in a kitchen, where her new boss ([[Joanna Scanlan]]) begins to make life difficult for her. Brian comes under stress as he is given little notice of an upcoming exhibition of his work.

 |LineColor = e97bf8
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 11
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 4
 |Title = Help
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|3|23|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = After receiving a call from the mysterious Damien Knox ([[Clive Russell]]) of Darkstar Comics (and his seductive assistant Sophie ([[Lucy Akhurst]]), Tim employs Tyres to deliver his portfolio of artwork. Tim removes an unflattering caricature of Damien, but Daisy replaces it in an attempt to be helpful. Tim must then retrieve the job-threatening picture before Damien sees it, aided by Mike and Tyres.

 |LineColor = e97bf8
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 12
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 5
 |Title = Gone
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|3|30|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = While spending an evening out in Camden, Tim and Daisy encounter some young hooligans ([[Lee Ingleby]] and [[Adam Deacon]]) who accuse them of substituting oregano for marijuana. Meanwhile, Tim's nemesis Duane Benzie steals Tim's house keys in an act of revenge for being shot while paintballing.
 |LineColor = e97bf8
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 13
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 6
 |Title = Dissolution
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|4|6|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = At Daisy's birthday party, cracks begin to form between members of the group. Mike is jealous of Sophie taking all of Tim's time, Brian is tired of Twist using him like a fashion accessory, Daisy dislikes Sophie, and Marsha, still believing that Tim and Daisy are a couple, is upset by Tim apparently cheating on Daisy.

 |LineColor = e97bf8
}}
{{Episode list
 |EpisodeNumber = 14
 |EpisodeNumber2 = 7
 |Title = Leaves
 |DirectedBy = Edgar Wright
 |WrittenBy = Simon Pegg & Jessica Stevenson
 |OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2001|4|13|df=y}}
 |ShortSummary = Marsha, having discovered that Daisy and Tim had lied to her and maintained their deception ever since moving in, is devastated, and decides to sell the house. Daisy is offered a job in [[Colwyn Bay]], while Sophie takes a job in [[Seattle]]. Mike concocts a plan to change Marsha and Daisy's minds.
 |LineColor = e97bf8
}}
}}

== Awards ==
''Spaced'' was nominated in 2000 and 2002 for a [[British Academy Television Award]] for situation comedy. Jessica Stevenson won the [[British Comedy Award]] in 1999 and 2001 for best TV Comedy Actress. Simon Pegg was nominated in 1999 for the British Comedy Award for Best Male Comedy Newcomer, and the series was nominated that same year for the British Comedy Award for Best TV Sitcom. The show's second series was nominated for an [[Emmy Award#International Emmys|International Emmy Award]] in 2001 for Popular Arts.<ref name="imdb-awards">{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0187664/awards|title=Awards for "Spaced" (1999)|work=[[Internet Movie Database]]|access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

== Home releases ==
Series 1 and 2 of ''Spaced'' were both released on DVD in the United Kingdom. These were followed by a boxed set which collects the previously released single-series DVDs, adding a bonus disc with a feature-length documentary, ''Skip to the End'', behind the scenes of the show, as well as a music video by [[Osymyso]].

Music rights issues long prevented the release of ''Spaced'' in Region 1 (U.S. and Canada). Despite the raised profile resulting from ''[[Shaun of the Dead]]'' and ''[[Hot Fuzz]]'' (film collaborations between Pegg and Wright that performed well in the Region 1 countries), no DVDs surfaced between 2004 and 2007. In an interview, it was suggested{{by whom|date=November 2015}} a deal with [[Starz Home Entertainment|Anchor Bay Entertainment]] failed to come to fruition over the music rights.{{citation needed|date=October 2011}}

Wright announced the release of a Region 1 ''Spaced'' DVD release on 22 July 2008, which included an all-new commentary with Wright, Pegg, and Stevenson, as well as special guests [[Quentin Tarantino]], [[Kevin Smith]], [[Bill Hader]], [[Diablo Cody]], [[Matt Stone]] and [[Patton Oswalt]]. Supplemental features included the original commentaries, the ''Skip to the End'' documentary, outtakes, deleted scenes, and raw footage.<ref name="aicn-dvd-pr">{{cite web|url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36638|title=Details Finally Drop on SPACED!!! The One, The Only SPACED&nbsp;— finally coming to U.S. DVD!!!|first=Harry|last=Knowles|author-link=Harry Knowles|date=6 May 2008|work=[[Ain't It Cool News]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080510083655/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36638|archive-date=10 May 2008|access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

== End of the series ==
Since the show's end, cast and crew associated with ''Spaced'' have been quoted with differing opinions as to whether a third series would be produced, with their most recent statements reflecting a consensus that the show has concluded and will not see a third series.

Edgar Wright initially was "torn" about making more ''Spaced'', saying "we have genuinely talked about it and have some neat ideas that could work in a ''[[Before Sunset]]''/''[[Whatever Happened to the Likely Lads?]]'' kind of way".<ref name="forum-2004-qa">{{cite web|url=http://www.spaced-out.org.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=7146|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041027185505/http://www.spaced-out.org.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=7146|url-status=dead|archive-date=27 October 2004|title=Interview With Edgar Wright, the Results Are In|author=Downsy|date=12 October 2004|work=Spaced Out|at=Margate Steve|access-date=6 July 2010}}</ref> However, in April 2007, Wright confirmed that the show no longer had any possibility of returning in any form, as the actors were all now "too old", and he and Pegg feared it would ruin a good thing.<ref name="la-hotfuzz-screening">Question-and-answer session following the Los Angeles screening of "Hot Fuzz" on 7 April 2007 at the Aero Theater, 1328 Montana Avenue, Santa Monica, California.</ref> In August of that same year, Wright told [[Rotten Tomatoes]] that "there's not going to be a third season, it would be silly now" but that they could "do something that sort of like catches our heroes ten years later."<ref name="rotten-tomatoes">{{cite web|url=http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/comic_con_2007/news/1658038/edgar_wright_on_the_spaced_dvd_and_reunion_show|title=Edgar Wright On the Spaced DVD (and Reunion Show?)|first=Jen|last=Yamato|date=2 August 2007|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=Flixster|access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

During an interview with ''[[The Guardian]]'' in July 2013 promoting ''[[The World's End (film)|The World's End]]'' with Edgar Wright and Nick Frost, Pegg stated: "Whenever we get asked about... another series of ''Spaced''... one of the reasons we're not going to do it is because we couldn't possibly write it with any degree of truth now, because that's not where we are or who we are any more. I always find it's better to write from a perspective of truth."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/video/2013/jul/17/worlds-end-simon-pegg-nick-frost-video |title=The World's End: Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright on their apocalypse comedy - video interview |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 July 2013 |access-date=2013-07-17}}</ref>

== American remake ==
[[Fox Network|Fox]] announced on 29 October 2007 that it would commission a pilot for an American version of ''Spaced'', a project they then scuttled in May 2008 following a generally negative reaction from the series' creators and fans of the original show.<ref name="fox-spaced">{{cite web|url=http://www.televisionaryblog.com/2008/05/where-pilots-go-to-die-foxs-spaced.html|title=Where Pilots Go to Die: FOX's "Spaced"|first=Jace|last=Lacob|date=28 May 2008|work=Televisionary|access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

Wright was initially approached about an American version after the first series was broadcast in 1999, and felt an American remake was impossible due to the series' fundamental theme. "Same reason it couldn't be a film," Wright said. "Part of the charm of 'Spaced' is, it's people in north London acting out stuff from American films... you know, Hollywood in, kind of, suburbia... American TV is much more glamorous. It doesn't make any sense. I remember that the producer at the time said, 'Yeah, we'd have to change a few things. We'd have to take out the drugs and the swearing, and obviously, Mike can't have guns.'"<ref name="bfi-qa-splash-my-names">{{cite video|date=10 November 2007|title=Spaced on Stage&nbsp;— BFI Spaced Reunion|url=http://blip.tv/file/2641239|format=Flash|medium=Live recording|location=[[BFI Southbank|National Film Theatre]], [[London]], England|time=48 minutes}}</ref>

Neither Wright, Pegg, nor Stevenson were at any point approached regarding the proposed American remake, which Wright had dubbed "McSpaced", due to the involvement of film director [[McG]]. Wright was upset that "they would a) never bother to get in touch but still b) splash my and Simon's names all over the trade announcements and imply that we're involved in the same way [[Ricky Gervais|Ricky]] [Gervais] and [[Stephen Merchant|Steve]] [Merchant] were with ''[[The Office (American TV series)|The Office]]''".<ref name="bfi-qa-splash-my-names"/> Pegg and Stevenson also complained of the "lack of respect" demonstrated by the creators of the proposed American series, who left them out of discussions as well.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news |last=Thorpe |first=Vanessa |last2=Walters |first2=Ben |date=23 March 2008 |title=Hollywood snubbed us, says angry comedy star |newspaper=[[The Guardian]] |location=London, England |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/mar/23/channel4.newscorporation |access-date=21 October 2011}}</ref>

Wright was also angry at the media for what he felt was their overlooking of Stevenson's role in the creation of ''Spaced'' by connecting the series to ''Shaun of the Dead'' and ''Hot Fuzz'' in news articles.<ref name="bfi-qa-splash-my-names" />

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

; Episodes referenced

{{Reflist|group="ep"|refs=
<ref group="ep" name=Beginnings>{{Cite episode|title=Beginnings|episode-link=#ep1|series=Spaced|credits=Edgar Wright, dir.; Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, writers|network=Channel 4|airdate=24 September 1999|series-no=1|number=1}}</ref>
<ref group="ep" name=Art>{{Cite episode|title=Art|episode-link=#ep3|series=Spaced|credits=Edgar Wright, dir.; Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, writers|network=Channel 4|airdate=8 October 1999|series-no=1|number=3}}</ref>
<ref group="ep" name=Epiphanies>{{Cite episode|title=Epiphanies|episode-link=#ep6|series=Spaced|credits=Edgar Wright, dir.; Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, writers|network=Channel 4|airdate=29 October 1999|series-no=1|number=6}}</ref>
<ref group="ep" name=Ends>{{Cite episode|title=Ends|episode-link=#ep7|series=Spaced|credits=Edgar Wright, dir.; Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, writers|network=Channel 4|airdate=5 November 1999|series-no=1|number=7}}</ref>
<ref group="ep" name=Back>{{Cite episode|title=Back|episode-link=#ep8|series=Spaced|credits=Edgar Wright, dir.; Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, writers|network=Channel 4|airdate=23 February 2001|series-no=2|number=1}}</ref>
<ref group="ep" name=Change>{{Cite episode|title=Change|episode-link=#ep9|series=Spaced|credits=Edgar Wright, dir.; Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, writers|network=Channel 4|airdate=2 March 2001|series-no=2|number=2}}</ref>
<ref group="ep" name=Mettle>{{Cite episode|title=Mettle|episode-link=#ep10|series=Spaced|credits=Edgar Wright, dir.; Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, writers|network=Channel 4|airdate=9 March 2001|series-no=2|number=3}}</ref>
<ref group="ep" name=Gone>{{Cite episode|title=Gone|episode-link=#ep12|series=Spaced|credits=Edgar Wright, dir.; Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, writers|network=Channel 4|airdate=30 March 2001|series-no=2|number=5}}</ref>
<!-- Unused citation
<ref group="ep" name=Leaves>{{Cite episode|title=Leaves|episode-link=#ep14|series=Spaced|credits=Edgar Wright, dir.; Simon Pegg and Jessica Stevenson, writers|network=Channel 4|airdate=13 April 2001|series-no=2|number=7}}</ref>
 -->
}}

== External links ==
{{Wikiquote}}

* {{Official website|1=http://www.spaced-out.org.uk}}
* {{Screenonline TV title|966650}}<!-- https://web.archive.org/web/20250221090840/https://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/966650/ -->
* {{British Comedy Guide|tv|spaced}}
* {{IMDb title|id=0187664|title=Spaced}}

*[http://www.chortle.co.uk/correspondents/2009/09/23/9663/spaced_1999 Chris Hallam on the 10th anniversary] - [[chortle.co.uk]]
*[http://www.empireonline.com/interviews/interview.asp?IID=957 Making-of article] at [[Empire (magazine)|''Empire'' magazine]]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060507201953/http://www.blather.net/shitegeist/2004/10/spaced.htm The Rise and Rise of the Cult Comedy ''Spaced''] - ''blather.net''

{{Spaced}}
{{Edgar Wright}}
{{Simon Pegg}}

[[Category:Spaced| ]]
[[Category:1999 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:2001 British television series endings]]
[[Category:1990s British sitcoms]]
[[Category:2000s British sitcoms]]
[[Category:British surreal comedy television series]]
[[Category:Channel 4 sitcoms]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]
[[Category:London Weekend Television shows]]
[[Category:Nerd culture]]
[[Category:Television series by ITV Studios]]
[[Category:Television series created by Edgar Wright]]
[[Category:Television series created by Simon Pegg]]
[[Category:Television shows set in London]]
[[Category:Television shows about landlords]]