Mockumentary
Though the term was coined in reference to the groundbreaking 'This is Spinal Tap', Rob Reiner cannot claim ownership of the fake documentary genre. Woody Allen's debut as director 'Take the Money and Run' is an early example, but undoubtedly the number of these satirical slices of life has risen of late, reflecting the popularity (and banality) of reality television. Christopher Guest took the format and ran with it ('Best in Show', 'A MIghty Wind', 'Waiting for Guffman'), and classics include serial killer profile 'Man Bites Dog', Lars von Trier oddity 'The Idiots' and of course the cringingly accurate 'The Office'. Check out Alice's collection below.
The Larry Sanders Show: Season 1 (1992)
8.3/10
Director: Judd Apatow, Brent Carpenter
Starring: Megan Gallagher, Janeane Garofalo, Garry Shandling, Jeffrey Tambor, Rip Torn, Pe...
A landmark in '90s TV comedy, Garry Shandling is the eponymous Larry Sanders, a neuroses-laden, late-night chat show host. Along with loads of hilari... Read more
Alternative 3 (1977)
7.1/10
Director: Christopher Miles
Starring: Tim Brinton
This 1977 spoof documentary caused uproar when first broadcast on UK Television. Taking its premise that there was a colony of scientists on Mars, vie... Read more
Modern Family: Season 1 (2009)
8.5/10
Starring: Ed O'Neill, Julie Bowen, Eric Stonestreet, Ty Burrell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Sof...
Today's American families come in all shapes and sizes. The cookie cutter mould of husband, wife, and 2.5 kids is a thing of the past, as becomes quic... Read more
Futile Attraction (2005)
4.6/10
Director: Mark Prebble
Starring: Peter Rutherford, Danielle Mason, Alistair Browning, Glenda Tuaine, Michelle Ang
Director/writer Mark Prebble had a rough-cut of 'Futile Attraction' in the can when the money ran out. At the suggestion of a friend he started up th... Read more
The Gunston Tapes (1991)
Director: John Eastway
Starring: Garry McDonald
The very best of the ABC TV Norman Gunston shows... Remember the interviews with Warren Beatty, Keith Moon, Hugh Hefner, Muhammad Ali and a live allig... Read more
Trailer Park Boys: Season 5 (2005)
8.4/10
Director: Mike Clattenburg
Starring: John Paul Tremblay, Robb Wells, Patrick Roach, John Dunsworth, Lucy Decoutere
Over the course of season five, the Boys will have to deal with a couple of shady creeps selling dope out of their grandmother's house; Mr. Lahey's (J... Read more
SuperBob (2015)
5.5/10
Director: Jon Drever
Starring: Ruth Sheen, Catherine Tate, David Harewood, Laura Haddock, Natalia Tena, Brett G...
Six years ago, Robert Kenner, a mild-mannered postman from Peckham, South London was struck by a meteor which bestowed him with super powers. Today, B... Read more
Stalking Santa (2006)
5.7/10
Director: Greg Kiefer
Starring: Chris Clark, Daryn Tufts, Lisa Clark, Narrated by, William Shatner
A devoted 'Santaologist' in search of the world's greatest living mystery attempts to cut through government conspiracy, big business hush-ups, and co... Read more
The Comeback: The Complete Series (2005)
8/10
Starring: Lisa Kudrow, Laura Silverman, Damian Young, Malin Akerman, Robert Michael Morris...
Valerie Cherish (Lisa Kudrow) used to be at the top of everybody's list, now with her hit sit-com behind her, roles are thin on the ground, and she's... Read more
It's All Gone Pete Tong (2004)
7.4/10
Director: Michael Dowse
Starring: Paul Kaye, Beatriz Batarda, Kate Magowan, Mike Wilmot, Neil Maskell, Pete Tong
The rise, tragic fall and inspiring re-invention of legendary dance DJ, Frankie Wilde (Paul Kaye AKA Dennis Pennis) is the subject of this subtly hila... Read more