Look Around You : Complete BBC Series 2 [DVD]

I could end this review now by simply saying "If you like laughing, buy this DVD". But I need to say a bit more than that, because I think this show has been passed over by too many people, and it's ended up underrated and in the same "cult enthusiasts only" realm as Garth Marenghi's Dark Place.Now that's a fantastic show too, and the two programmes have a lot in common. Not least of which in that they were shown without any major publicity and to limited audiences only. The other similarity is that they are both spoof shows. "Look Around You" is a spoof of Tomorrow's World, set in the 1970's, and it presents a kind of bizarre parallel universe in which the presenters look forward to inventions and new technology that they predict will change the way we live in the future.It's hard to explain what is so funny about the show in writing, but on watching, I found it to be hilarious almost all the way through. Firstly, you can lose yourself in the show's supposedly "current" world where every high street has a much loved "casserole" chain restaurant, and people get robot John McEnroes for Christmas. Then you add to this the inventions featured on the show that the presenters predict will be changing all our lives for the better, such as the vegetable orchestra and the Memory Helmet. Throughout the show, further laughs come thick and fast from various interludes, like information on what programmes are coming up next, or the hilarious "Data Bank" that offers totally barking mini quiz questions.The programme could have easily failed, however, without the talents of the performers who front the main show. The two original creators of the first series now appear on screen along with two new female presenters, and there are numerous cameos in each show, all of which are uniformly deadpan and convincing, the combined effect of which (with the four main presenters) is pure gold. Throughout the six episodes there isn't a single moment where any of the cast let the mask drop even for a second. Robert Popper and Peter Serafinowicz seem born to play the parts of the two male presenters and I challenge you to disbelieve the sincerity of Olivia Coleman (from The Office and numerous other mock-real life comedies) as she presents the moving and tragic story of "Cobbles", the disease which turns the sufferer into a pile of stones. Fourth team member Josie D'Arby does equally well, with an especially good line in fawning enthusiasm, be it over some truly dire computer games ("Diarrhea Dan") or in trying out a new sport called "Gonnis" (don't ask).This show is so full of good ideas, i found it hard to understand why some reviewers have said the idea was being stretched too thinly. Each half hour show seemed to fly by for me, and I was laughing all the way. This second series is probably far more accesible to the casual TV viewer than the original show, which lampooned Programmes for Schools with a bit of Open University thrown in. I can't imagine there ever being a third series of this, although if there is, I'll be ready and waiting. But my advice is to buy both DVDs and treasure them.

Please please please buy this. It will make you smile inside, giggle in bed as you drift off to sleep for months afterwards and you'll be pleased you listened to me. Matt Groening (creator of The Simpsons) has called it "One of the funniest TV shows I've ever seen."It's a wonderfully accurate spoof of a 'Tomorrow's World' type show circa 1981. The set is all browns and beiges and each week the future of science and technology is considered as the presenters speculate just what life might be like in the year 2000.Whether it's predicting music styles of the turn of the millenium (search Youtube for 'Machadaynu' for my personal highlight), reviewing a downright absurd weight-loss product or discussing the merits of spray-on skin to plug your ear holes (called what else but "Psilence") with its inventor Leonard Hatred - exquisitely played by Mark Heap - the show is full of clever touches, wonderfully dreamed-up comic devices (ever heard the first verse to 'Happy Birthday To You'?) and attention to detail that tips its hat to the show's obviously high production values all the way through.It was good enough for David Mitchell, Matt Lucas, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost, Harry Enfield, Sarah Alexander, Peter Baynham(!), Olivia Colman, David Walliams ('the voice of Bournemouth') Kevin Eldon and, of course, the show's creators Peter Serafinowicz (voice of both Star Wars's Darth Maul and CeeBeebies's 'Driver Dan', by the way!) and Robert Popper (who wrote the eye-wateringly funny 'The Timewaster Letters' (buy that as well while you're here), commissioned Peep Show, and was the first ever contributor on Charlie Brooker's arrestingly brilliant 'Screenwipe') - to all put in an appearance (bit of a long sentence that, sorry). Even HRH Sir Prince Charles has a sizeable speaking part.If you've read this far, you should by this DVD. Honestly. Even the extras are a cut above most of the other comedy out there.I secretly envy that you still have to discover this wonderful piece of comedy. Enjoy.

If you're looking for a re-hash of series 1 then you'll be sorely disappointed, but if you find the overall concept appealing (spoof of popular/educational science programmes) then there is enough to keep you amused in series 2.I won't repeat what others have said about the format, but will add that I found the ensemble to work well, and the humour pleasantly subtle, and treading the right side of the line between total silliness and plausibility. There are enough running gags to make you feel at home ('Thanks Andy...') but not too much repetition.I know that many were disappointed not to get more of the 'Open University' style spoofs, but really I don't think that format could have run to a second series without the joke wearing thin. Similarly, I can't see there being enough mileage in another series of the 'Tomorrow's World' format. There is an art to knowing when to stop, and it's nice to be able to enjoy these two series which were done well.

Look Around Series 2 arrived today. Thank you

Great Show and these DVD's worked perfectly. I wish they would have been Region 1, but it doesn't seem that they will ever release this for USA fan's. So I relented and simply purchase these Region 2 discs.

Alles gut, gerne wieder

Continuing on the 70's theme, season two explores fake science in a newer format with many different hosts and interviews and never stops delivering the laughs.

I have not been able to watch this, due to the region difference. However, I kept it and I can tell you that the cover is fantastc!