Ideal, an obscure sitcom
I don't know how many Brits are on here (and I don't know how well this sitcom is known amongst Brits even) but I've been watching Ideal on BBC iplayer recently.
Ideal is a BBC 3 sitcom that ran from 2005 to 2011. It's a dark and grimy surreal comedy, about a bunch of low lives where a lot of the humour comes from situations that they get themselves in through being terrible. I'd also argue it's got a lot of heart and humanity, and the characters ring very true as the sort of no-hopers you see in the kind of house you end up in at the tail end of a night out.
I gravitated towards it because a) I like Johnny Vegas, b) I have a soft spot for UK shows which aren't set in London (this is set in Salford) and c) I remember catching a few episodes on TV and got sucked into some of the weirder and horror inspired bits - it's got a very creepy undertone to it. Cartoon Head (the hitman who never speaks and can't remove his cartoon mouse mask) and Fist (a very sinister vicar I can't even find an image of online) as antagonists really skirt the line between being funny and unnerving.
Anyway, the writer is very into music and I was really struck by the soundtrack, which I eventually looked up on Spotify. It's a treasure trove of cult bands and songs.
The theme song Song of the Oss, by Candidate comes from a concept album they created inspired by the film The Wickerman (1970). I was delighted to find this out as a folk horror fan. Here's an interview with one of the band members about the writing of it.
I've been watching a lot of TV lately, being ill and it being winter. If you'd like to check out Ideal it's all streaming on bbc iplayer if you're in the UK.