As If (UK TV series)

Last updated

As If
Genre Comedy-drama
Starring Paul Chequer
Emily Corrie
Jemima Rooper
Orlando Wells
Caroline Chikezie
Ben Waters
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original language(s)English
No. of series4
No. of episodes76
Production
Running time22 minutes
Production company(s) Carnival Films
Columbia TriStar International Television
Sony Pictures Television International
Release
Original network Channel 4
Original release22 January 2001 (2001-01-22) 
31 July 2004 (2004-07-31)
Chronology
Related shows As If (U.S. TV series)

As If is a British comedy-drama series broadcast on Channel 4. There were 76 episodes across four series, the first broadcast on 22 January 2001 and the last on 31 July 2004.

Comedy-drama genre of theatre, film, and television

Comedy-drama or dramedy, is a genre in film and in television works in which plot elements are a combination of comedy and drama. It is a subgenre of contemporary tragicomedy. Comedy-drama is especially found in television programs and is considered a "hybrid genre".

Channel 4 British free-to-air television channel

Channel 4 is a British public-service free-to-air television network that began transmission on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority (IBA), the station is now owned and operated by Channel Four Television Corporation, a public corporation of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, which was established in 1990 and came into operation in 1993. With the conversion of the Wenvoe transmitter group in Wales to digital terrestrial broadcasting on 31 March 2010, Channel 4 became a UK-wide TV channel for the first time.

Contents

Premise

The series focused on six young adults who lived in London. Each episode was presented from a different character's point of view, which up to that point in time had never been done before in a comedy-drama television show. The show had a cult following and received critical acclaim. It was considered groundbreaking and was compared to another British serial drama Hollyoaks . [ citation needed ]

<i>Hollyoaks</i> British soap opera

Hollyoaks is a British soap opera, first broadcast on Channel 4 on 23 October 1995. It was devised by Phil Redmond, who had also conceived the Channel 4 soap Brookside. The programme is set in the fictional village of Hollyoaks, a suburb of Chester. The show is filmed at Lime Pictures in Childwall, Liverpool.

Part of the show's identity was the style, such as surreal fly-on-the-wall style camera work, fast camera transitions, wacky sound effects added to some scenes and the distinctive theme music (the tune "Would you...?" by the band Touch and Go). Episode four of the first series was awarded an RTS Television Award for Best Tape or Film Editing - Drama.[ citation needed ]

Touch and Go (band) band

Touch and Go is a British jazz pop musical ensemble. Their most notable singles include "Would You...?", "Straight... to Number One", "So Hot", and "Tango in Harlem".

Several notable episodes were centred around parodies of other films or TV shows, including The Blair Witch Project (episode 1x16); Moulin Rouge (2x20); The Italian Job (3x12) and 24 (4x04).

<i>The Blair Witch Project</i> 1999 film by Daniel Myrick, Eduardo Sánchez

The Blair Witch Project is a 1999 American supernatural horror film written, directed and edited by Daniel Myrick and Eduardo Sánchez. It tells the fictional story of three student filmmakers—Heather Donahue, Michael C. Williams, and Joshua Leonard—who hike in the Black Hills near Burkittsville, Maryland in 1994 to film a documentary about a local legend known as the Blair Witch. The three disappeared, but their equipment and footage is discovered a year later. The purportedly "recovered footage" is the film the viewer sees.

Moulin Rouge cabaret in Paris, France

Moulin Rouge is a cabaret in Paris, France.

<i>The Italian Job</i> 1969 British caper film directed by Peter Collinson

The Italian Job is a 1969 British comedy caper film, written by Troy Kennedy Martin, produced by Michael Deeley and directed by Peter Collinson. Subsequent television showings and releases on video have made it well known in the United Kingdom.

In the beginning, the gang was divided in two. We learn Sooz, Jamie and Alex are good friends. Jamie has a crush on Nikki, who he sees as a nice, innocent, delicate girl. Nikki was friends with Sasha, who was in a relationship with Rob. When Jamie invited Nikki to a fake party, the destinies of these six persons crossed and friendships were born. While Rob, Jamie and Alex became good friends, Nikki and Sasha didn't get along with Sooz, although the three had their moments together.

Characters

Main

The loveable joker of the group is a well-meaning pleasant guy, but has a tendency to get himself into trouble due to his rather naive attitude. He has an optimistic outlook and is content to play the role of the group's clown. Despite the foolish mistakes he sometimes makes, he is well liked by the group as his heart seems to be in the right place.
During the first series, Jamie enjoys the freedom of single life: he dates an older, married woman he met over the internet; idealizes Nicki, courts her and fails miserably; and eventually ends up kissing Sooz in the last episode. The second series follows the Jamie-Sooz relationship turmoil: from the problematic beginning, to the outing and eventual ending of the relationship by Sooz. Jamie ends up with Nicki for a one night stand. The third series follows Jamie's undying love and sacrifice for Sooz, his coping with her coma, and eventually the distance torn between them due to her suicide attempt. The fourth series focuses primarily on Jamie's academic career or the lack of such: he fakes his leaving to Inverness; attempts to retake the qualifying tests and eventually is accepted to study psychology. Sooz and Jamie are together throughout most of the fourth series, but end up breaking up after Sooz is unfaithful.
A sarcastic punk who tends to be blunt and is something of a loner. She is rebellious, and does not follow social conventions, preferring to live by her own rules.
Sooz has a brief crush on Rob, which starts when he is in a break up with Sasha. When they get back together, Sooz has to get over it.
Sooz has to deal with ongoing mental health problems. She favours punk rock style clothing, has a number of tattoos and facial piercings, and is known for her trademark multicoloured dreadlocks. She is a talented artist. She has a tough exterior but inside is very insecure.
Sooz's dreadlocks inspired the 2004 McFly hit Five Colours In Her Hair . [1]
A girl who initially considered a "slut" in that she slept around and stole other people's boyfriends. Nicki is a man-eater and spoiled, but inside is a nice girl and a good friend. She suffered a lot after her father was sent to prison and because her mother didn't pay her enough attention. The last episode of the series was from Nicki's point of view, in which she chose between staying with Rob or going on an around the world trip, a present her mother gave her.
A gay character who is a fan of Star Wars , Dead Poets Society and football, hates Hollywood musicals and modern art, and prefers sex to shopping. Alex is in several relationships during the series, including police officer Dan, and Mark. When he serves as auxiliary teacher at a school, he meets one of the students, Allen (who calls himself "Little Al" after Alex, who is also known as Al). Allen forces him into a relationship; after feeling threatened at first, Alex put things clear to Allen. Alex then tries to insert Allen to the gay world, and they become friends. In the last episode, Alex realizes he wants to be with Allen, but Allen rejects him.
The "bitch" of the group. She is classy and loves fashion. She does not suffer fools gladly, and is often derided for shallowness. In the first seasons, Sasha is romantically involved with Rob, but they eventually break up after Sasha is unfaithful. She later tries to get Rob back, but without success.
Rob is someone who cares a lot for the others and always seems sensitive to their problems. Sooz has a crush on him in the first season, but because Rob is with Sasha, Sooz knows that she and Rob will never be a couple. After Rob finds out Sasha was cheating on him, he starts a new relationship with Nicky. In the last episode, they go their separate ways, with Nicky having to decide between him and a trip around the world. He receives a few letters Nicky had sent way before leaving, and he realizes she went to Spain. He finds her, telling her he came for her.

Recurring characters

Anna Wilson-Jones is an English actress. She is probably best known for her roles as Juliet Miller in Hotel Babylon and main character Tim Bisley's ex-girlfriend Sarah in Spaced.

Adam Sinclair is a Scottish film and television actor. He starred in the television series Mile High and has appeared in supporting roles in films like Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj.

Gerard Monaco is a British actor who trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Crew

David Kerr (director) British television director

David Kerr is a London-based, Northern Irish born film and television director. His debut feature film, Johnny English Strikes Again, was released internationally by Focus Features and Universal Pictures in 2018. David has a long track record as a pilot/lead director of award-winning TV comedy and drama, which includes No Offence, Inside No.9, Fresh Meat, Beautiful People and Whites.

Amanda Coe is an English screenwriter and novelist.

Patrick Wilde is an English playwright and screenwriter for both television and film.

Soundtrack

Apart from its well-known theme music, As If also used many popular songs in its 76 episodes. Trip hop music was used quite extensively, especially music by Massive Attack (and specifically songs from the album Mezzanine) and Archive.

Track listing

Related Research Articles

<i>Spin City</i> television series

Spin City is an American television sitcom that aired from September 17, 1996 until April 30, 2002 on ABC. Created by Gary David Goldberg and Bill Lawrence, the show was set in a fictionalized version of the New York City mayor's office, and originally starred Michael J. Fox as Mike Flaherty, the Deputy Mayor of New York. Fox departed in 2000 at the conclusion of Season 4 due to his battle with Parkinson's disease, and Charlie Sheen assumed the lead role of Charlie Crawford for the final two seasons. The series was cancelled in May 2002 after a decline in ratings.

Nikki Webster Australian singer

Nicole Marie Webster is an Australian singer. She is best known for her starring role in the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics opening ceremony and her single "Strawberry Kisses".

<i>Entourage</i> (U.S. TV series) American comedy-drama television series

Entourage is an American comedy-drama television series that premiered on HBO on July 18, 2004 and concluded on September 11, 2011, after eight seasons. The series was created and largely written by Doug Ellin and chronicles the acting career of Vincent Chase, a young A-list movie star, and his childhood friends from Queens, New York City, as they attempt to further their nascent careers in Los Angeles.

Todd Grimshaw

Todd Grimshaw is a fictional character from the British soap opera Coronation Street, played by Bruno Langley. The character's debut on-screen was broadcast on 14 January 2001. He was introduced as part of the Grimshaw family, formed around the established character Eileen Grimshaw. Todd was the show's first ever gay character which generated much coverage in the British media. The coming out storyline was credited for helping Coronation Street portray a more accurate depiction of society in the twenty-first century.

<i>Skins</i> (UK TV series) British television series

Skins is a British teen comedy-drama television series that follows the lives of a group of teenagers in Bristol, South West England, through the two years of sixth form. Its controversial story-lines have explored issues like dysfunctional families, mental illness, adolescent sexuality, gender, substance abuse, death, and bullying. Each episode generally focuses on a particular character and the struggles he or she faces in his or her life and the episodes are named after the featured character. The show was created by father-and-son television writers Bryan Elsley and Jamie Brittain for Company Pictures, and premiered on E4 on 25 January 2007. Skins went on to be a critical success as well as a ratings winner.

This article details the storylines that occurred in the New Zealand Soap Opera Shortland Street in 1993.

<i>As If</i> (American TV series)

As If is an American comedy-drama series adapted from the UK television series of the same name that aired on UPN on March 5 and 12, 2002. It served asa midseason replacement for Roswell and aired on Tuesdays on UPN after Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The cast included Emily Corrie, who portrayed Sooz in the original UK version.

<i>Made in Chelsea</i> British television series

Made in Chelsea is a BAFTA award-winning, structured-reality television series broadcast by E4 in the United Kingdom. Made in Chelsea chronicles the lives of affluent young people in the West London and South West areas of Belgravia, Kings Road, Chelsea and Knightsbridge, as well as their travels to other locations around the world.

<i>Kitchen</i> (TV series) Russian TV series

Kitchen is a Russian comedy series that airs on STS. The show focuses on the comedic events that unfold in a fictional restaurant in Moscow called "Claude Monet". Since the 5th season, the comedic events unfold in the Hotel's restaurant.

Free Rein is a British television series created and written by Vicki Lutas and Anna McCleery. The ten-part first series premiered on Netflix on 23 June 2017. The show is produced in the UK by Lime Pictures. Although the island where the series is set is fictional and unnamed, it is based on the Isle of Wight but referred to as "an island off the coast of England" throughout the show. The scenes on the pier are shot in Beaumaris, located on the isle of Anglesey.

References

  1. "In the Hotseat: McFly". BBC. 3 April 2004. Retrieved 20 December 2018 via news.bbc.co.uk.