I am NOT a great fan of RD, having watched the original runs with enjoyment but no desire to re-watch. The comedy is just not that classic. Must be my age. Anyway, have you seen (or reviewed) 'Hyperdrive' from 2006-07? (I found it worthy anyway.)
It's a shame that this series wasn't ended in a better way, Ideally Grant and Naylor would have written a final feature length episode after series six and then have left it at that.
One of the main comic and tragic themes in the early series is male loneliness, sexual frustration and romantic ineptitude. Female characters are elusive and temporary, never remaining over more than a single episode. Lister's backstory is that he was dumped by Konchanski and is still hung up on her after 2 million years, Rimmer is repellent to women and has barely managed to lose his virginity before dying, Cat the wannabe lothario has in fact never even met a woman! As soon as a new and more glamorous version of Kochanski joins the crew in season 7 this dynamic was broken and the show became something different and inferior
A great summary and review for anyone yet to watch it for themselves. I was lucky to have a small group of close friends who all loved Red Dwarf and totally got the humour, although I was the first to peel off after series 6. I'm a little surprised that Holly didn't get an honourable mention, both Norman Lovett and Hattie Hayridge brought something extra and nailed the paradox of an intelligent, quick witted, charismatic but bumbling AI computer.
I remember watching Red Dwarf when it first aired in the U.S., back in 1988 I think. I liked the first two seasons the best, I don't think the show ever recaptured the magic present in the early seasons. I particularly loved "Stasis Leak". The scene where Rimmer salutes Captain Hollister and says "With respect Sir, you can stick your head up your big fat arse" had me roaring with laughter.
I hope you can do an article about the 1981 BBC TV series of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which Red Dwarf was heavily influenced by.
How do I know Red Dwarf was great? (in Brummie accent) "it's blatant!"
Growing up, the later series' were probably being repeated, so at a guess I'd say S5/S6 was what I knew. Don't remember seeing S7 come out, unless that was the one where Kachanski joined the crew? Didn't like it and wrote it off after watching one episode. It was years later that I finally saw The End. That solidified in my mind the notion that this was a bit more than just another sitcom. The cleverness of the programme never becomes too overt in the way that some might say of Blackadder, or Fry & Laurie. It's always fun, amusing, silly enough without being too silly. Above all it's so bloody creative. The sheer number of ideas crammed into it is impressive. Lastly, the quality of the acting is absolutely superb. From S1 to S5 (at least) Chris Barrie gives a masterclass in how to be a 'gimboid' and has the chops to make you actually sympathise with him, which I dare say not many could.
I rewatched the whole thing last year, really enjoyed it. I would disagree with "ponderous" for the first two seasons: the atmosphere is a little eerie, there is a sense that the situation could invite madness, but the show as a whole manages philosophy, psychology, sci fi, without becoming heavy-handed or lumbering, the balance of comedy and darkness is really very well done, very delicate. I've seen bits of modern Dr Who and they are exactly what I'd call ponderous, just blunt and unsubtle.
Rimmer is fascinating, it's like he has most of the qualities to be e.g. a British Army officer in 19th C India but unfortunately he's also a coward and a loser. Even his pretensions come across as flashes of what he should have been. Barrie has an impressive physique, and in real life seems rather based.
Seasons 7+ aren't funny but I enjoyed them just because of the familiar characters. Growing up with Red Dwarf I feel towards it maybe the way Boomers do about Dad's Army, it's just very comfy. It also, despite being majority ethnic, somehow never makes a point of it, it seems weirdly incidental, though it is kind of amusing that the utter genetrash that survives of humanity, Lister, is, well, what he is, and his non physical "friend" Rimmer looks like a perfect specimen of whiteness but is a) dead and b) totally dysfunctional. If it were done today it would be handled very clumsily, as it is I don't even know if it's intentional. Anyway, great essay Woes!
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The psychological aspects were well done. The episode 'Back to Reality' was a mind blower. First, the idea that the four characters had been hallucinating their lives, their reaction when they seemed to find out their true identities, then the twist about the Despair Squid which turned it all around again. After that great ending to series 5, the peak of Red Dwarf, it was all downhill from there.
In hindsight, I see Ace Rimmer from 'Dimension Jump' as a parody of a Mary Sue character. Perfect, good at everything, liked by all. The idea is ridiculous, which is why it's funny. Some later science fiction films had these sort of characters, but expected us to take them seriously.
Sterling work as always, Colin. This is the one I've been waiting for as Red Dwarf is absolutely my personal all-time favourite sitcom. The exchange between Rimmer and Kryten during the Inquisitor episode always gets me:
"So, Kryten, you've heard of this "Inquisitor?" "
"Only as a myth; a dark fable; a horror tale, told across the flickering embers of a midnight fire, wherever hardened space dogs gather to drink fermented vegetable products and compete in tales of blood-chilling TERROR!!!"
I would add "Backwards" from Season 3.
Woes, have you seen that the Keir Starmer has joined Substack?
I am NOT a great fan of RD, having watched the original runs with enjoyment but no desire to re-watch. The comedy is just not that classic. Must be my age. Anyway, have you seen (or reviewed) 'Hyperdrive' from 2006-07? (I found it worthy anyway.)
It's a shame that this series wasn't ended in a better way, Ideally Grant and Naylor would have written a final feature length episode after series six and then have left it at that.
One of the main comic and tragic themes in the early series is male loneliness, sexual frustration and romantic ineptitude. Female characters are elusive and temporary, never remaining over more than a single episode. Lister's backstory is that he was dumped by Konchanski and is still hung up on her after 2 million years, Rimmer is repellent to women and has barely managed to lose his virginity before dying, Cat the wannabe lothario has in fact never even met a woman! As soon as a new and more glamorous version of Kochanski joins the crew in season 7 this dynamic was broken and the show became something different and inferior
A great summary and review for anyone yet to watch it for themselves. I was lucky to have a small group of close friends who all loved Red Dwarf and totally got the humour, although I was the first to peel off after series 6. I'm a little surprised that Holly didn't get an honourable mention, both Norman Lovett and Hattie Hayridge brought something extra and nailed the paradox of an intelligent, quick witted, charismatic but bumbling AI computer.
I remember watching Red Dwarf when it first aired in the U.S., back in 1988 I think. I liked the first two seasons the best, I don't think the show ever recaptured the magic present in the early seasons. I particularly loved "Stasis Leak". The scene where Rimmer salutes Captain Hollister and says "With respect Sir, you can stick your head up your big fat arse" had me roaring with laughter.
I hope you can do an article about the 1981 BBC TV series of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, which Red Dwarf was heavily influenced by.
It was a big hit in Rural NZ. Where it was on at 10 pm.
QUUEG. Is the best.
"It has a Six in it"
How do I know Red Dwarf was great? (in Brummie accent) "it's blatant!"
Growing up, the later series' were probably being repeated, so at a guess I'd say S5/S6 was what I knew. Don't remember seeing S7 come out, unless that was the one where Kachanski joined the crew? Didn't like it and wrote it off after watching one episode. It was years later that I finally saw The End. That solidified in my mind the notion that this was a bit more than just another sitcom. The cleverness of the programme never becomes too overt in the way that some might say of Blackadder, or Fry & Laurie. It's always fun, amusing, silly enough without being too silly. Above all it's so bloody creative. The sheer number of ideas crammed into it is impressive. Lastly, the quality of the acting is absolutely superb. From S1 to S5 (at least) Chris Barrie gives a masterclass in how to be a 'gimboid' and has the chops to make you actually sympathise with him, which I dare say not many could.
I rewatched the whole thing last year, really enjoyed it. I would disagree with "ponderous" for the first two seasons: the atmosphere is a little eerie, there is a sense that the situation could invite madness, but the show as a whole manages philosophy, psychology, sci fi, without becoming heavy-handed or lumbering, the balance of comedy and darkness is really very well done, very delicate. I've seen bits of modern Dr Who and they are exactly what I'd call ponderous, just blunt and unsubtle.
Rimmer is fascinating, it's like he has most of the qualities to be e.g. a British Army officer in 19th C India but unfortunately he's also a coward and a loser. Even his pretensions come across as flashes of what he should have been. Barrie has an impressive physique, and in real life seems rather based.
Seasons 7+ aren't funny but I enjoyed them just because of the familiar characters. Growing up with Red Dwarf I feel towards it maybe the way Boomers do about Dad's Army, it's just very comfy. It also, despite being majority ethnic, somehow never makes a point of it, it seems weirdly incidental, though it is kind of amusing that the utter genetrash that survives of humanity, Lister, is, well, what he is, and his non physical "friend" Rimmer looks like a perfect specimen of whiteness but is a) dead and b) totally dysfunctional. If it were done today it would be handled very clumsily, as it is I don't even know if it's intentional. Anyway, great essay Woes!
It seems that I mis-used the word "ponderous"! I didn't mean "slow and clumsy" at all! I have changed it to "sombre".
Aha! Makes sense now. I think this is the first malapropism of yours - even Homer nods!
Smoke me a kipper, I'll be back for breakfast
Great article.
A little tip guys. Use torrent to download the whole series.
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Btw I love red dwarf.
By the way, in Australia, your weekly essay arrives about 9pm on a Sunday night. It's a good way to end the week.
That's a nice thought. It's 10am on Sundays here.
The psychological aspects were well done. The episode 'Back to Reality' was a mind blower. First, the idea that the four characters had been hallucinating their lives, their reaction when they seemed to find out their true identities, then the twist about the Despair Squid which turned it all around again. After that great ending to series 5, the peak of Red Dwarf, it was all downhill from there.
In hindsight, I see Ace Rimmer from 'Dimension Jump' as a parody of a Mary Sue character. Perfect, good at everything, liked by all. The idea is ridiculous, which is why it's funny. Some later science fiction films had these sort of characters, but expected us to take them seriously.
Sterling work as always, Colin. This is the one I've been waiting for as Red Dwarf is absolutely my personal all-time favourite sitcom. The exchange between Rimmer and Kryten during the Inquisitor episode always gets me:
"So, Kryten, you've heard of this "Inquisitor?" "
"Only as a myth; a dark fable; a horror tale, told across the flickering embers of a midnight fire, wherever hardened space dogs gather to drink fermented vegetable products and compete in tales of blood-chilling TERROR!!!"
"...A simple "yes" would have sufficed."
LOL Yes, that's one of my favourite bits in the whole series.