Although it's usually quite hard to find good things to watch on Netflix, I just so happened to stumble upon this show when I was ill one week and desperately needed something entertaining to pick me up. I was positively surprised. At first, I wasn't sure if I wanted to watch it but when I saw the familiar faces of Jack Whitehall, Joe Thomas, Charlotte Ritchie and Kimberley Nixon I had to check it out. After the first episode, I was instantly hooked. It is set at the fictional Manchester Medlock University and follows a group of students who live together in a student house. The first character we get introduced to is Vod (Zawe Ashton) who is a straightforward, quite irresponsible person with intimacy issues but a good heart. Then we have JP (Whitehall), a posh, highly sexual person obsessed with seeming like an alpha male (but who is secretly insecure). We also get introduced to Kingsley (Thomas) whose mother is ill, and whom he's spent his pre-university time taking care of. He can be quite pretentious and selfish and is, in my opinion, the most annoying character of them all, but in a mild and tolerable way. Then we have Kingsley's love interest Josie (Nixon), a down-to-earth Welsh girl. Like Kingsley, she can be quite selfish at times but cares a lot about her friends. We also have Oregon (Ritchie) who is a bit posh like JP but tries to hide it a lot of the time. At times she can be a bit pretentious like Kingsley but is most of the time a nice and helpful friend. Last but not least we have Howard (Greg McHugh), who is probably the most unrealistic character but also one of the funniest. His bizarre actions and thoughts often made me laugh. Even though Fresh Meat is a comedy show it does have some drama too every now and then, but not too much like many American comedy shows do. It's just the right amount, which is one of the greatest things about it. Some of the moments really make the characters seem more human, and many of them made me like especially JP more. What I like about Jack Whitehall's performance as him is that he is able to make JP seem like both an extremely cocky, perverse person and a very endearing and sweet person. In fact, one of the best things about the show is the dynamic and friendship in the group. Even though they all have so many (funny) faults, you kind of wish you could be part of the group. It's hilarious to see the characters struggle with daily student life and a nice thing about the show is that even though there are sometimes story lines that continue for a longer period of time, there's usually always something new happening in each episode. The actors do a great job, even just the comedic timing of certain facial expressions is brilliant. The humour is often quite sexual but personally, I think it's funny and the show is about young students so I think it should be expected. The writing is great, and the jokes are absolutely hilarious. As for how realistically it depicts English uni life, I don't know as I'm still too young for uni and live in Finland, but the show kind of makes me want to go to uni in Britain. Even though they experience a lot of trouble they make it seem so fun and despite their setbacks, they always stay together like a family. It could be just me but I got quite attached to the characters and was admittedly sad when I finished watching the last episode. But, since it's now one of my favourite shows I will definitely re-watch it after a while. I definitely recommend this show!

absolutely brilliant show. for starters it is unbelievably funny. it is up to this day the best show I have ever watched for shock humour and has some of the craziest hilarious things happening. I don't think I will ever see anything greater in a comedy show than a guy getting stuck on a cliff and surviving by jumping on to his friend's head, or a dentist accidentally drilling a whole through their patients cheek. the show is consistently full of very funny dialogue and intriguing and interesting conversations and debates which Seinfeld fans would love. the characters are amazing, anyone just has to love JP he's probably the greatest party animal character ever created, even better than stiffler. there is a very fun teen party vibe to the show where the housemates are always doing drugs, playing drinking games throwing toga parties, turning a whole room into a bong room.the drama in the show is very interesting as it focuses on the lives of university students as they are stressing to cope with university life. failing exams, getting kicked off of courses, trying to sort out their future, financial issues, sleeping with the wrong people etc. it also focuses on stress of living with housemates such as friends keeping secrets from each other, relationships, paying rent and issues with the house. the show uses this beautiful piano music piece written by the show writers themselves which is played in multiple episodes, every time it's played it creates an amazing emotional vibe. some scenes are very emotional and guaranteed to put a lump in your throat. this is definitely a must watch

I've just finished watching season two.The show has moments of greatness, is funny, but a tad contrived.The premise of the show is set up early on, in episode one. Which was very good. Students arrive and settle into their new accommodation with each other. We are introduced to each character, and immediately the Kinglsey/Josie will-they/won't-they romance.There are some nice touches with the characters. These include glimpses of humility: fallibility, chaos and lots of indirection. And some cloaked romance.What can feel tiresome is the relentless drinking, bad language, sexual innuendo and drug taking. (The show should carry a swear warning.) It doesn't need any of the former. The bits between the bits are the best parts.Most characters are likable. I'm not sure if any of them are lovable. They do grow on you warts and all.Many of them dither and vie for approval. Which is all very funny. Reading other reviews Oregon is overlooked. She is quite brilliant. J.P. is a likable posh toff with some brilliant lines (sadly Jack Whitehall's over exposure sullies the character). I can't much stomach the Slytherin cohorts. Some performances are far subtler. Heather is borderline creepy.Howard the basement dweller is a little reminiscent of Mike from Spaced. And Vod a touch of Vivian from The Young Ones. I could happily loose the pair. Josie starts off well, but is wasted later on.There are a few laugh out loud moments and some great gags/dialogue buried within. The supporting cast certainly have their moments.All in all it's a great set up for a series. Watch-able? Yes. Funny? At times. But I don't think it's a classic. It did stir up memories of student-ville. And as such, does something right, even if it is cringe worthy.

I think that this is a really good show and don't understand the bad reviews. I think that they are all good, funny characters and also it's not full of horrible violence and toilet humour that you get in a lot of shows these days. I especially like Jack Whitehall's character -J.P.. Even though I can't stand his stand up. The other actors are suited to there parts and I quite like the mix of odd personalities. Another character I like is Prof. Shales. I'm happy a 2nd series is coming out as it makes a change from all the tripe on t.v. I think everyone should watch this show as it is quite good and contains good characters and story lines.