TV releases
The universally lauded 'Best TV Show of All Time' just keeps on going
| 13 Oct 2006
Garth Marenghi's Dark Place - Oct 16
Finally, a DVD release has been granted to one of the most under-appreciated comedies of recent times. The show gained a cult following when it was originally aired in 2004, but disappeared after one series. Since then the cast have popped up in various British comedy shows: none, however, to surpass this masterpiece. For those unlucky enough to miss it first time round, Dark Place is basically a spoof of 80s horror shows like Tales from the Crypt, and the comedy comes from the shoddy special effects, hammy acting and ludicrous story lines that are parodied so brilliantly. As Garth Marenghi makes clear, though, the show contains material which some may find: "too subversive, too dangerous, too damn scary." Readers have been warned.
5 Skinnys
The Simpsons Complete Season 8 - Oct 2
The universally lauded 'Best TV Show of All Time' just keeps on going. The infuriating delay in getting them onto DVD means this is only the eighth series, but with 25 episodes to choose from there's more than enough here to keep you laughing. Classics include the episode in which Frank Grimes becomes jealous of Homer, the one where Homer suspects Bart of being gay, and the time Homer hallucinates after eating the world's hottest chilli. You've probably seen most of them before, but if you're not going to take the risk of the above DVD, then for comedy consistency this is your bet.
4 Skinnys
Shameless Season 3 - Oct 16
The Gallaghers return for a third season proving it's still grim, and funny, up North. Some episodes are starting to feel a little bit laboured and lacking in inspiration, but a few retain the wit and banter that made the first series such a hit. And the whole collection is worth it just for the episode in which Frank is unable to get drunk, and the glorious Technicolor explosion when he finally achieves inebriation.
3 Skinnys
Lost Complete Season 2 - Oct 2
People tend to either love or hate Channel 4's ludicrous desert island drama, and for all the obsessives out there you can finally buy the whole second season. By this point the stranded cast, still surprisingly clean shaven and attractive, are settled in and venturing further into the island. Here they begin to stumble upon other groups of survivors and the mysterious bunker. The hardcore faithful will probably already have bought this DVD, and the sane amongst us will steer well clear, but if you've got a spare £30 and a free weekend you could do a lot worse. At least you won't have to wait a week after every pointlessly exasperating cliff-hanger.
3 Skinnys
Green Wing Season 2 - Oct 2
Another love or hate affair here, as the surreal comedy series from the creators of Smack the Pony returns for the tricky second series. It features all the popular quirks of the first series: speed up/slow down effects, irrelevant sketches, and a lack of any grasp on reality. With the wealth of comedy actors and writers on this show it's a wonder why it falls so short of the mark, but clearly Green Wing is doing something right if it gets a second series and Dark Place doesn't.
1 Skinny
Finally, a DVD release has been granted to one of the most under-appreciated comedies of recent times. The show gained a cult following when it was originally aired in 2004, but disappeared after one series. Since then the cast have popped up in various British comedy shows: none, however, to surpass this masterpiece. For those unlucky enough to miss it first time round, Dark Place is basically a spoof of 80s horror shows like Tales from the Crypt, and the comedy comes from the shoddy special effects, hammy acting and ludicrous story lines that are parodied so brilliantly. As Garth Marenghi makes clear, though, the show contains material which some may find: "too subversive, too dangerous, too damn scary." Readers have been warned.
5 Skinnys
The Simpsons Complete Season 8 - Oct 2
The universally lauded 'Best TV Show of All Time' just keeps on going. The infuriating delay in getting them onto DVD means this is only the eighth series, but with 25 episodes to choose from there's more than enough here to keep you laughing. Classics include the episode in which Frank Grimes becomes jealous of Homer, the one where Homer suspects Bart of being gay, and the time Homer hallucinates after eating the world's hottest chilli. You've probably seen most of them before, but if you're not going to take the risk of the above DVD, then for comedy consistency this is your bet.
4 Skinnys
Shameless Season 3 - Oct 16
The Gallaghers return for a third season proving it's still grim, and funny, up North. Some episodes are starting to feel a little bit laboured and lacking in inspiration, but a few retain the wit and banter that made the first series such a hit. And the whole collection is worth it just for the episode in which Frank is unable to get drunk, and the glorious Technicolor explosion when he finally achieves inebriation.
3 Skinnys
Lost Complete Season 2 - Oct 2
People tend to either love or hate Channel 4's ludicrous desert island drama, and for all the obsessives out there you can finally buy the whole second season. By this point the stranded cast, still surprisingly clean shaven and attractive, are settled in and venturing further into the island. Here they begin to stumble upon other groups of survivors and the mysterious bunker. The hardcore faithful will probably already have bought this DVD, and the sane amongst us will steer well clear, but if you've got a spare £30 and a free weekend you could do a lot worse. At least you won't have to wait a week after every pointlessly exasperating cliff-hanger.
3 Skinnys
Green Wing Season 2 - Oct 2
Another love or hate affair here, as the surreal comedy series from the creators of Smack the Pony returns for the tricky second series. It features all the popular quirks of the first series: speed up/slow down effects, irrelevant sketches, and a lack of any grasp on reality. With the wealth of comedy actors and writers on this show it's a wonder why it falls so short of the mark, but clearly Green Wing is doing something right if it gets a second series and Dark Place doesn't.
1 Skinny