Before Mark and Jez, there was Paul and Otto.
Thank goodness for no-shows.
As it reportedly went: BBC Two passed on it.
BBC Choice didnt see it.
And everything ended happily ever after.
That went nowhere, but sparked a partnership that led to the acclaimed nine-series sitcom on Channel 4.
We knew that Rob [Webb] was brilliant at playing that.
And it saved the character of Phil/Mark.
Without hearing Marks ruinous thoughts, his character wouldnt be entertaining.
Armstrong told Mustard: Unless you have a performance that nails it, self-awareness is death to comedy.
Self-conscious people dont tend to… blurt things out.
Thats why writing voiceovers has been key to getting Marks character.
Nothing is ever wasted.
RIP, Otto and Phil.
You died so Jez and Mark could live…fretfully, and in Croydon.
Peep Show is available to stream on Channel4.com in the UK.
