I warmed to this show immediately. As one of the previous reviewers stated the current comedy show climate is becoming somewhat stagnate. I must admit I am little bit hesitant of getting too attached to this show in fear of it being cancelled. It is not because the content isn't there, it really is well written with some great characters. It's extremely quirky and enjoyable, but again as the previous reviewer stated it is a slow burner. I'm not sure of the audience base in the UK but being from Australia the exposure for this show as far as I have found has been non existent. I truly can't recommend it enough and think that anyone who enjoys watching skins and the Inbetweeners will not be disappointed as it feels like the result of a mash up of the two somewhat. I will watch it for as long as it is around and only hope that it has a steady run!! Give it a go!
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sarah-palmer-au13 October 2011
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AMichaelL11 January 2012This show reminds me of a much wittier, much dirtier version of Apatow's 'Undeclared'. I found this show from looking into the shows related to The Inbetweeners, which I always found cheesy but extremely watchable. I found out Joe Thomas (Simon Cooper in Inbetweers) was in this college comedy and I became intrigued. Then, I watched a few episodes and I was sold.
This is one of the better college comedy shows that has come around in a while, and considering how deep on the net I had to dig to find out about it, I am sure it is massively under-watched in the U.S. Hopefully it gets up on Netflix or something so it can get some recognition over here.
There are plenty of cliché situations, but these are clichés because they truly do tend to happen to everyone who attends college, whether in the U.S. or the U.K or wherever. I love the unique blending of characters and the filter-less nature of the dialogue. Anyone in college, recently graduated, or seeking some nostalgia should have no problem relating to the relationship drama, the wit, the parties, and the sense of confusion which naturally arise from throwing a bunch of young people into one small area (be it the college on a larger scale, or the house/dorm on a smaller one). -
dominicanderson1982-394-70658730 September 2012I think that this is a really good show and don't understand the bad reviews. I think that they are all good, funny characters and also it's not full of horrible violence and toilet humour that you get in a lot of shows these days. I especially like Jack Whitehall's character -J.P.. Even though I can't stand his stand up. The other actors are suited to there parts and I quite like the mix of odd personalities. Another character I like is Prof. Shales. I'm happy a 2nd series is coming out as it makes a change from all the tripe on t.v. I think everyone should watch this show as it is quite good and contains good characters and story lines.
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Quoid7 April 2013This show is fantastic through and through. I was really pleased when BBC decided to air it in the states and so glad I stumbled across it.
Like many, Joe Thomas drew me to this show. Liked him in the inbetweeners and figured I would in this and I was certainly correct.
This show hits it on the head on every single level. Firstly the production value is super high in this show. The music/audio is great; awesome theme song and equally good incidental music throughout the episodes. The cinematography set and production design is also superb. Long story short; phenomenal production.
This leads us to the actors. Once again, freakin amazing. I was worried Joe Thomas would play the same role as he did in the inbetweeners but the character is unique enough to realize it is not a clone of his old character. He is quite funny in this.
The other actors in the show also do an incredible job. Kimberley Nixon is my new favorite actress. She absolutely kills it in the series (as does her co stars). I really can't speak highly enough about the acting in the show, just give it a watch and see.
The writing is also amazing. Even though I'm an American I can recall so many similar personalities from my time in college here in the states. The posh rich guy, the eccentric girl who dresses completely over the top (Oregon) and the reclusive nerdy guy (mr. Howard maccullum) to name a few.
So in closing I will say that this show is absolutely brilliant in every level. As an American writing this I think I am proof positive it has much international appeal. It is one of the best shows on TV right now and in my opinion the best damn comedy I've seen in years.
It's like a lunar eclipse. Every few years or so everything lines up to create this remarkable event. That event is Fresh Meat. -
watson-james-902-28298313 October 2011Definitely an interesting new take on an aspect of life we previously thought differently of - the life of a group of university students during what is meant to be the best days of their lives.
My favourite aspect of the storyline is Kingsley and Josie's relationship, which brings to mind Tim and Dawn from The Office - two people who obviously have feelings for each other, but unable to bring themselves to confess to it, partly because she has a boyfriend and lacks the willpower to dump him. But as Dawn and Tim eventually got together, hopefully so will Kingsley and Josie. Even though their later interaction was a little difficult to watch, because it was obvious that it was their love for one another that was making them argue and fight so much, but one still felt rather uncomfortable that neither could defend themselves when the other launched into them - Josie experienced it in the early stages of the season, and Kingsley in the later part of the season. Vod and Oregon's interaction, though, was also particularly fun to watch - it was obvious that Oregon was trying to emulate Vod to disguise her privileged upbringing, even agreeing with Vod's open disgust for students who have cars, despite Oregon having one herself. Vod's reaction upon discover her best friend was lying about herself and was the very thing she hated was a very good idea indeed.
But I am also impressed with J.P. - for all the flak public schoolboys tend to receive, and the general perception of being prim, proper and well-mannered that's associated with them, it's nice to see a more realistic perspective of one for a change - yes, he is arrogant, but he is comically arrogant, and incredibly hedonistic. It was particularly satisfying for him to say outright "Am I just the posh guy nobody wants to hang out with?"
The best laughs, though, came from Howard. There's nothing people like more in a sitcom or TV show than a socially inept guy, and a guy with a regionally distinct accent, and, while I appreciated Josie's sweet nature and Welsh accent, Kingsley's insecurity, JP's arrogance and posh accent, Vod's forthrightness, and Oregon's insecurity over her image, none of those traits put together would've equalled Howard, who definitely killed two birds with one stone.
I'd say, meanwhile, that my favourite part of the series was the very final scene, where very few loose ends were tied up, but we were satisfied they would be answered very soon - it felt satisfying to see JP finally show that he was human by mourning for his father while in the shower, and to see Oregon and Vod's friendship at least partially resume. I am glad, though, that the Kingsley/Josie saga wasn't quite wrapped up, but that it was clear that Josie no longer felt angry with Kingsley. I shall continue watching with great interest. -
samvkalbag5 October 2011It is a slow burner in the best sense of the word I don't know how the majority will take to it, but it is nice to see a different slant on the traditional sitcom. It takes time to establish the characters in detail which is nice. Giving them often throwaway inconsequential lines to deliver which reflects the way a person tends to interact with one another it's not just here's the setup preamble he is the gag cue the laughing or cringing, no no this is a well thought out piece of work consciously trying to be different.
Whether you like it or not it is a new edition to the comedy repertoire which has been flourishing of late particularly in Britain. They used to be a time when the UK was the cultural hub of comedy then the Americans took up The mantle, once again the tide has turned and now the it is back on our shores, for the time being at least. Look at the relatively new comedy coming out of the states the middle, Mike and Molly, modern family ,they are truly awful with no redeeming features.
I'm sure America will pick up the standard soon I have every faith in a nation that brought so much in terms of trailblazing entertainment in a comedic form will do so again.
Simon Thomas being present in fresh meat could have been a hindrance I can see why they cast him to ride of the back of his previous success, I daresay people will liken it to his previous work but this not the same old fair. I wonder if chickens will get commissioned also that looked very interesting. I think this has serious legs I just hope people give it time to bed in.
Jack Whitehall's character I predict will become a bit of a cult hero in comedy circles, He is already established himself as a stand-up comedian, doing different variations the standard middle-class posh boy routine. JP his character is pretty much the same with one essential difference here is a bit of a thicky or be it a lovable one.
Zawe Ashton is a brilliant actress who had a supporting role playing Jackson Brodie's receptionist in the fantastic case histories starring Jason Isaacs hello Jason sorry had to do it.
Anyway The writers speak for themselves they are well known enough for me not to analyse them their work proceeds them.
Ever so slowly getting to the point I recommend this wholeheartedly.
Thank you for letting your eyes scan down this incompetent review much obliged. -
brooksshows28 April 2015I am a big fan of Peep Show, The Inbetweeners and other British comedies as well as shows like Trailer Park Boys and Arrested Development. I also tend to like college/high school drama/comedy, so it comes as no surprise I really did enjoy this program.
Being American, I admit that it took me a while to adjust to the accents and I still have to rewind some parts to see if I can figure out what they said, many of the jokes go over my head because they are referring to culture across the pond. There is also a certain annoyance factor with regard to several of the more 'hipster' characters and the self-centered younger generation in general. I am probably a bit older than the typical demographic who like this show, therefore I try not to be too judgmental.
The thing I like most about the show are the diversity of characters. The six main characters are all completely different. It is through their sometimes awkward interactions the humor abounds. Then there are the consequences of the choices made by young freshmen in college. Add to the formula, the way the show mixes drama with the comedy to keep it from ever becoming too sappy and goofy. It's the perfect blend of both, with some very cool music replacing your father's laugh track in traditional sitcoms.
The humor can sometimes be dark, subtle, or downright lurking in the bushes outside like an intruder in the night. Sometimes it hits you in the face like a Three Stooges skit and other times it challenges the mind with sophisticated rapid-fire precision.
I really enjoyed the first three seasons and I am looking forward to a fourth and final season which is currently in production. I am happy they gave them one more go. All I can say is, I am so glad I came to the party late and could binge watch all the episodes in a few days... I would have hated to wait week after week for a scant 6 episodes a year. -
Absolutely loved it.
It was a sort of cocktail of Peep Show, Inbetweeners, Spaced and How Not To Live Your Life.
Throw in a sort of modern Fawlty Towers feel to it and you are on to a cult classic.
However it is more than that, it has its emotional moments when needed, great acting and fantastic, relatable characters.
I would recommend this to anyone with a love for any of the above referenced shows.
In fact, sack that, anyone who just love a good laugh.
Cannot wait for the next, and sadly final, series to be released.
10/10 -
Headturner110 January 2022Zawe ashton! She makes the show. Like others as well. Took me a while to watch. I still have like 4 episodes to go. Love these college shows/ high school. We need more of them!
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I had no idea what Fresh Meat was when it popped up on Netflix and just decided to watch because I recognised Joe Thomas and Jack Whitehall. By god though this show is so watchable. The writing of series is so natural and the characters are hilarious but also very relatable. I particularly love Jack Whitehall in this but all the main characters are great and each one is so unique and different from the others. The dynamics between them all are outstanding.
What this show does absolutely amazingly however is building up incredibly awkward and messed up scenarios with a huge amount of complexity. When those episodes show up and you get these amazing scenes where loads of the plots intertwine it makes for some of the funniest scenes in television.
Basically I 100% recommend this show for an outlandish snapshot of uni life that likes to get experimental and weird. Genuinely very good.
Also I really love the soundtrack for this with lots of electronic music. Just wish I could find more of the stuff on Spotify! -
sevdakarababa-7107715 May 2018Most boring character and face "Josie". Although Kingsley also very very boring dude. I'm calling this type of people "grey" when you met them you never remember them. They dont have any special personality, they dont have hobbies( besides Kingsley's boring guitar "playing" times). Vod is interesting but she is kind of stupid im surprised she can read and she could maked the university some how. Oregon she is just sleeping with everything high libido and she thinks she is so smart. Most naive Jp and Howard. Technically other than this 2 very bad peoples. In the script they forgot the give them deep personalty obviously, cause very superfacial people. In the begining i liked it bit all of them turned to whining bithches. They are filthy and no one can cook human food.
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ediesimpkins16 August 2021I've seen this show way too many times for my own good. It's the perfect lighthearted comedy-drama mixed with the reality of university life. The characters go beyond their tropes which made the initial series, (which to quote Vod) are a bunch of "geeks and poshos" etc. But they develop into complex characters that are more than their superficial stereotype.
The arcs that they take successfully develop their character in a way that retains the comedic element but also makes sense to the character - my favourite being Oregon and JP's character arcs. Oregon going from the typical upper/middle class 'uni girl' who is a complete try hard, desperate to appear cool like Vod, then in later series turning into 'union president' thinking she's above all else. Then there's JP, who goes from a complete toff from private school to learning money doesn't solve all his problems and he's being exploited by the people he tries to please. He understands he can't get everything in life nor does he want that, he just wants to be liked. These characters never lose what made them special in the first series, it simply made them better. It really is a showcase for the idea that a good narrative is constructed around its characters, which is a telling of the excellent writers.
I would strongly recommend this show to anyone, and no doubt I'll be watching it again soon. -
dj_intrepid20 January 2013Upon watching a first season episode, not the first episode either, I didn't think I'd like the show or even really understand it. See, I'm from the U.S., which I'm told is a bit of a lengthy walk from the U.K. and can be different with words and meaning and accents etc., but I discovered that I most definitely get the humor and the characters after watching a number of episodes; I decided to start from the beginning after my initial intro to the show. I fell in love with Fresh Meat over time, but it was Kimberley Nixon whom I quickly fell for and was the biggest reason why I stuck with the show. I'm following season 2 now on Hulu and I hope that another season or two is on the horizon, because I just can't get enough of it. It's brash and brazen, sometimes shockingly so, and it makes me laugh my head off, something I don't get from American shows. If you like vulgar British humor, give this one a go!
Update 03/03/13: I just finished watching the last episode of season 2 and I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't any plans for a 3rd. The 2nd started off strong, but quickly faltered, becoming stale and humorless with pointless plots and uninteresting story lines. I got the sense about halfway through the season that they knew there would be no more, so they put less effort into it. The last episode of season 2 is somewhat of a return to the show's roots, but by then the damage was done and I was glad to have it over with. I give the 1st season 8 stars and the 2nd season 5 stars for an average of 6 stars. -
sandycochrane-977583 October 2021Her character ruins the whole show. I hate her. It wouldn't be too bad if they took her out, made Oregon less of a bell end and made Kingsley mildly interesting.
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y-6830026 July 2021Really is quite astonishing, this show barely gets any recognition and is honestly a comedy masterpiece. To start with, it has the best dialogue I've ever heard written in ANY tv comedy before. The dialogue is constantly amazing and entertaining as hell, it explores so many deep and dark themes that educate you about the world and is really witty and funny at the same time, and has so many hilarious, utterly absurd and bizzare quotes that the writers really put their wild imagination into, the dialogue itself makes the show non stop entertaining.
Secondly, it has by far the best music composition I've ever heard used in any TV comedy, and does being emotional and heartfelt 10x better than all other comedies out there and puts all the rest to shame. For all the moments that are supposed to be serious and emotional, it actually puts effort into creating the tone by composing music, rather than just dead silence like all other comedy shows do which is just boring, doesn't set the tone and make me feel the emotion at all and doesn't make me care.
3: it has really high production value for a TV comedy with really high quality looking camera, nice colour grading and has plenty of interesting camera shots and cool music where every episode feels more like a movie than a TV episode 4: the episodes are 40 minutes long which makes them feel a lot bigger and more climatic than most other tv episodes, it allows them to have bigger plots with more happening and just adds to the feeling of every episode being a movie 5: the premises is really interesting and original. Living in a student share house (not dormitory) is such an uncommon to hear about, yet also really interesting sounding experience that's explored in this series. An absolute underrated gem. -
jboothmillard19 November 2011I saw the trailer for this comedy series, and even with a stand up comedian who I enjoy acting for the first time I was a bit apprehensive, but then I heard more about it, including it being about university students, and coincidentally my brother was starting university, so I gave it a chance, and I stuck with it. From the creators of Peep Show, basically the series revolves around a group of six freshers, i.e. first year university students, who live together in their off campus home and attend Manchester Medlock University. These six are sweet natured dentistry student Josie (Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging's Kimberley Nixon), streetwise and hard living literature student Violet aka 'Vod' (Zawe Ashton), kind hearted and awkward geology/drama student Kingsley (The Inbetweeners' Joe Thomas), occasionally egotistical and self-proclaimed top man Jonathan aka J.P. geology student (Jack Whitehall), Scottish often socially inept and highly work focused non fresher geology student Howard (Greg McHugh), good natured and anxious but appearing cool literature student Melissa aka Oregon (Charlotte Ritchie). All entering adulthood they are all discovering more about each other and themselves, including how the wrong decisions can pan out, having sexual experiences with possibly the wrong people, taking drugs and drinking a lot, not paying much attention to their education, and much more besides that to anyone would be appalling behaviour. Also starring Tony Gardner as Professor Tony Shales, Peep Show's Robert Webb as Dan, Adam Gillen as Brian, Submarine's Gemma Chan as Ruth, Jack Fox as Ralph, Sugar Rush's Sara Stewart as Jean Shales, Hollyoaks' Emma Rigby as Rachel and Rob Beckett as Mike. The six lead stars, especially Whitehall, Ashton, Thomas and Nixon, are all great at being both dramatic and funny, the jokes throughout the series whether dialogue or physical/slapstick are all well written and performed, it is certainly a very watchable and enjoyable British situation comedy drama. Very good!
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mburrows-16-93931212 January 2016Slight spoilers in this review**** I really enjoyed this show. It popped up in "recently added" on my Netflix account - and of course I checked for reviews here before I watched it. It faired well so I gave it a go. I am so glad I did. There is something about original English programming that is lacking from shows made in the USA (I am from Australia)- more of a raw authenticity even though some of the happenings are simply ridiculous - if that makes sense? At times it does try a little too hard but so do a lot of shows. My fave character is JP - he is hilarious and even though he is super douchey; he is lovable. I did find myself hating Josie throughout the whole show. She was really insufferable, selfish and rude. That being said - I have finished the 3 seasons available on Netflix and it has left me wondering what the gang is all up to now! Word of warning - it is what some people might describe as vulgar, I personally love vulgarity so made me like it even more! However - if you are easily offended ... do not watch it. Cheers
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leemyers-6017117 August 2020If you're looking for a chuckle here and there then this is for you. It's not "laugh out loud" funny but it's ok.
The characters mostly are horrible HORRIBLE people. Oregon is THE most annoying cringe worthy character I have ever watched
4 out of the 6 main characters are just so hard to like.
Obviously there's a "will they , won't they?" Situation which is so overdone.
There's the typical lazy thick character in Vod, which makes no sense her going to university why ??
Josie will make you want to slap her
Oregon as stated is cringe
The only saving grace in this is JP and Howard,
Oh and the one from the inbetweeners is the most boring one, can't think of his name he's that boring.
Having said all that, occasionally you might have a giggle at JP and Howard
8/10 -
GameAndWatch25 November 2015I've just finished watching season two.
The show has moments of greatness, is funny, but a tad contrived.
The premise of the show is set up early on, in episode one. Which was very good. Students arrive and settle into their new accommodation with each other. We are introduced to each character, and immediately the Kinglsey/Josie will-they/won't-they romance.
There are some nice touches with the characters. These include glimpses of humility: fallibility, chaos and lots of indirection. And some cloaked romance.
What can feel tiresome is the relentless drinking, bad language, sexual innuendo and drug taking. (The show should carry a swear warning.) It doesn't need any of the former. The bits between the bits are the best parts.
Most characters are likable. I'm not sure if any of them are lovable. They do grow on you warts and all.
Many of them dither and vie for approval. Which is all very funny. Reading other reviews Oregon is overlooked. She is quite brilliant. J.P. is a likable posh toff with some brilliant lines (sadly Jack Whitehall's over exposure sullies the character). I can't much stomach the Slytherin cohorts. Some performances are far subtler. Heather is borderline creepy.
Howard the basement dweller is a little reminiscent of Mike from Spaced. And Vod a touch of Vivian from The Young Ones. I could happily loose the pair. Josie starts off well, but is wasted later on.
There are a few laugh out loud moments and some great gags/dialogue buried within. The supporting cast certainly have their moments.
All in all it's a great set up for a series. Watch-able? Yes. Funny? At times. But I don't think it's a classic. It did stir up memories of student-ville. And as such, does something right, even if it is cringe worthy. -
Craigelink26 January 2022Easy and laid back but very clever humor. The character of JP played by Jack Whitehall is a particular stand out. The character of oregon aswell reminds me of every college student trying to find a stand out identity but looking like they are trying too hard.
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matt-p-smith17 January 2024A university sitcom by the creators of Peep Show with recognizable cast from Inbetweeners and other classic British comedies. It never quite lives up to the potential though, there's some really funny bits and a few likable characters, but they're mixed up with some quite irritating personalities and filler storylines that don't really go anywhere. It didn't capture the vibe of British university life as much as I would have hoped for, the cast all seem a bit too old and not like the kind of students you'd typically meet in real life. I watched it through to the end and enjoyed it enough to pass the time, but there's a handful of similar British shows I'd recommend before this one.
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Mike-DD16 March 2014Maybe it's because I cannot watch this at home (the local broadcasters won't even think about bringing this in as it is in blatant violation of broadcast rules here), but I enjoy this show immensely. University life in the UK is definitely different from what I experienced in Singapore and Australia.
I suppose the show isn't supposed to be a general view of undergraduate life in the UK, but this particular group of undergraduates are interesting enough to watch over 3 seasons now.
Kingsley and JP are the 2 protagonists of the series. The latter has a seemingly lasseiz-faire attitude to life yet displays an endearing vulnerability at times. Kingsley initially appears to be a homeboy stepping out into the world for the first time, but in time becomes a man of his own.
The other characters support the series well enough. There is the studious know-it-all who tries not to look down on everyone (Oregon), the insecure one who occasionally manages to break through the stereotype (Howard), the hippie-wannabe (Vod) and the girlfriend (sorry, that's the way I keep seeing her - Josie).
I enjoy following the characters around their simple-on-the-outside-but- complex-on-the-inside lives, the interactions between the housemates, the witty banter, the music and the score. Even the rough language is enjoyable most of the time.
Most of the stories are interesting enough, although, as can be expected from any recurring series, there are some dud episodes. But all in all, it still entertains, though I do sometimes wonder if British undergraduates really do behave in this way. -
From getting married on a whim, sleeping with the wrong people, showing up to dental school drunk and drilling through someone's face, etc. these students make stupid decisions again and again.
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Great!!! Show reminds me of Saint Elmo's fire.
Great cast and story lines. I watched it in two days, all four seasons. -
Notes in front. 1- Students DON'T watch this together with your parents. 2- Authors a.o. compartmentalize your views for your private live(that is view only positive aspects there) 3- If You watch, be sure to have an episode of something like 2-broke-girls to follow.
OK. It's an amazing scalpel-like view of academic life, it's so realistic it hurts. You'll be confronted with yourself and your friends and that's in general no heroic view.
secondly you'll see a picture of the past of all those people in 3-part suits you're accustomed to see constantly in the media and what they are careful to hide.
Is it Good! It's more realistic than all those pseudorealistic realityshows put together.
Even if some scénes seem over the top.All has been seen in real life.
It's tremendous acting and casting. It still hurts! So if you want a mirror on yourself watch. Otherwise take 2-broke-girls.
Personally i'll stay with it and await if some positive personalities emerge (but like real life possible an illusion).