6 TV 'Comedies' That Are Ridiculously Depressing

Britain truly are the masters of downbeat, depressing comedy and Peep Show, easily one of the best British TV shows of the 21st Century, is a typically tragicomic affair from the UK.

It's depressing on two levels. Firstly, it's one of the most cringe-worthy things you'll ever watch and the embarrassment comedy is so painful it gives Ricky Gervais a run for his money. As Mark and Jeremy, the two leads, mess up conversations, ruin their relationships and, on one occasion, eat a dead dog right in front of its former owner, it's incredibly uncomfortable viewing.

Secondly, the narrative is an insanely depressing one. Mark is a socially awkward, romantically unsuccessful man while Jeremy, his only friend, is a lazy failed musician whose life is going absolutely nowhere. Both are A-holes, particularly Jeremy, meaning they often destroy their friendships and relationships through their own incompetence and selfishness. The ending is one of the saddest TV show endings ever, with both men back to square one and sitting miserably in their flat once more.

They are characters with no real future or prospects in life. Every attempt to get ahead in life or find love is unsuccessful, meaning there's plenty of sadness within the laughter. It's a very realistic and grounded comedy as well, so much of the time when watching Mark and Jez viewers will be thinking: "What if that was me?"

That really is an idea terrifying enough to keep you up at night.