Zombie films and reality TV are two ideas that started off as harmless fun but in modern times they’ve been done to death (mind the pun). So leave it up to Mr Brooker to mesh the two together into something that might actually be worth watching.
Dead Set, which takes this bizarre spin on the usual zombie survival horror fare, starts with an extended one-hour episode shown on E4 on October 27 and then runs for the four days following that.
“Think 24 with zombies”
Describing the show in a Channel 4 press release, Charlie says: "Just as a shopping mall was the ideal setting for the original Dawn of the Dead back in 1978, the Big Brother house seemed fitting for a TV zombie epic set in the 21st century. Dead Set isn’t an out-and-out comedy, but an unashamedly populist horror-thriller with blackly comic undertones. Think 24 with zombies."
Although his main job involves writing about and largely ridiculing TV shows, Brooker is no stranger to television himself adding the likes of Brasseye, Nathan Barley, Spoons and his own fronted “TV critic criticises TV on TV” tour-de-force Screenwipe to his credits.
But whilst all of those were twisted and hilarious comedies, this is his first attempt at being somewhat serious. While Brooker promises that Dead Set will contain some black humour, it’s still a new genre for the despondent misanthrope and one that should see a welcome new side to his writing talents.
Davina McCall dying on screen
What is also reassuring is the attention to detail. This takes place in the Big Brother house, the actual one. Not a cheesy fake reconstruction, the real house that was used for the 9th series of Big Brother. Even presenter Davina McCall makes a cameo appearance dying on screen (not for the first time either).
There’s also knowing references and parodies of the contestants, even down to the often ridiculous names: Riq, Angel and Space.
Ultimately Brooker understands that Big Brother is in essence trashy TV but he isn’t afraid to admit that he does take some enjoyment in watching it. During the series run his weekly Guardian Guide column usually makes reference to the week’s events in the show, even if it does act as a platform for bleak rants about the insipid housemates.
Kevin Eldon: TV’s greatest comedy character actor
The first episode synopsis reads that as a Big Brother eviction night looms, Britain is in the grip of an apocalyptic crisis. While the housemates remain oblivious, fast-moving hoards of the undead decimate the studio compound. Sounds promising.
Although the cast are mainly unknowns, it does feature a trump card in the shape of Kevin Eldon (as Joplin), who is perhaps the greatest comedy character actor working on TV. Although not as well known as most of his co-stars on Big Train, Spaced or Black Books, he never fails to add a memorable performance and Dead Set should be no different. Plus it stars the great Andy Nyman, best known for his work with spooky magician Derren Brown.
So come the end of the month there will be nowhere to hide, as Dead Set looks to take over the airwaves in one of modern TV’s boldest since the aforementioned Mr Brown tried to blow his brains out live on air. Watch the trailers and prepare to be shocked. It will be a welcome break from the endless repeats of Halloween that are shown at this time of year.
Dead Set starts on E4 from October 27 at 10pm and runs until October 31. It will also be available to buy on DVD from November 3.
 |
