Red Dwarf

[Philip Ayres]

The End was first broadcast 33 years ago today

[Andy Turnbull]

LIES!

[Pinwig]

Been on a slow rewatch of Red Dwarf for a while going through the Blu-rays, watching all the extras and listening to the commentaries. I got as far as Back to Earth today, which I've not watched since the original broadcast 15 years ago. It's not as bad as I remember it, but it's certainly the low point for the series. The first few pages of this thread make interesting reading in that context.

[Philip Ayres]

I've not seen it but that's got scenes shot in Kingston, where I used to live, and Richmond, using the comic shop I used.

The previous location for the comic shop was used in Spaced.

[Pinwig]

Yes, they kept the shop's proper name - They Walk Among Us. I wonder if that was some kind of sponsorship deal (although I see it closed not long after). SFX certainly had obvious product placement.

[Philip Ayres]

Not exactly closed. Sold to a larger chain, Ace Comics, then bought out by the staff. Shop is still there operating as Raygun Comics under some of the same staff as at the time.

[Stomski]

May 4, 2024 22:00:17 GMT Pinwig said:

It's not as bad as I remember it, but it's certainly the low point for the series. The first few pages of this thread make interesting reading in that context.

Dunno, seasons 7&8 are pretty low.

Back to Earth's issues are due to the on location shooting and lack of a live audience. Although having said that, I'm not even sure I've watched it since it first aired!

[Benn]

I am certain that I haven't and I haven't watched Red Dwarf at all since.

[Pinwig]

Seven struggles for not being funny. Eight feels more like the earlier series to me, but having watched that again recently I realised Kochanski is the butt end of too many sexist jokes and it gets a bit relentless, which does affect your enjoyment. Krytie TV is not a good episode by modern expectations.

It's noticeable how classic TV of old can suddenly become uncomfortable like that and how even twenty years ago we all felt we were doing equality right but clearly weren't. The Blake's 7 episode City at the Edge of the World is like that, it used to be one of my favourite episodes to watch but these days it's quite hard to sit through without cringing at the attitudes.

[The Doctor]

It's just something that naturally happens. Many keyboard warriors of today may be shocked in years to come to find that they are now the people the keyboard warriors of the future rail against.

I can certainly think of values/opinions I held in the past that are not acceptable to Current Ralph. I am sure that I have certain views now that Future Ralph will shake his head at.

-Ralph

[Pinwig]

Yes, I agree. It's odd to reflect now though that I've been alive long enough to witness social change like that. I find it quite odd, just within myself, that I look on the me of even twenty years ago and see how much my perspectives have changed.

[Jaymz]

There's a relatively new podcast with comedians going through Red Dwarf episode by episode, currently on series 3. Worth a listen if you're into that kind of thing, called Better Than Life, should be available on your preferred podcast platform.

I've been listening but really need to rewatch the show as it has been many years.

[Bogatan]

I still havent watched the last series. Maybe two.

Ive got at least one on bluray, but planned to do a full rewatch before getting to it and that hasnt happened.

I think I got to series 6 then couldnt find the disks or got distracted.

The podcast sounds interesting.

[Bogatan]

May 5, 2024 9:50:47 GMT Pinwig said:

Seven struggles for not being funny. Eight feels more like the earlier series to me, but having watched that again recently I realised Kochanski is the butt end of too many sexist jokes and it gets a bit relentless, which does affect your enjoyment. Krytie TV is not a good episode by modern expectations.

It's noticeable how classic TV of old can suddenly become uncomfortable like that and how even twenty years ago we all felt we were doing equality right but clearly weren't. The Blake's 7 episode City at the Edge of the World is like that, it used to be one of my favourite episodes to watch but these days it's quite hard to sit through without cringing at the attitudes.

Its a bit weird to think that the majority of the show avoids some of the background sexism of the 80s and 90s by doing the sexism of not really having any female regulars for most of its run.

Its been a while since I saw the Kochanski series, but my memory of it was that as she was brought in as the Rimmer replacement so was meant to be the butt of the jokes, but with added sexism.

It didnt help that she really didnt feel like the character from earlier series/ the books. I know she wasnt meant to be, but the original might have worked better.

[Pinwig]

Yes, the Clare Grogan version was more streetwise and was an equal to Lister. She could get one over on him and was in control of the relationship. Chloe Annette's version was more an out-of-her-depth public schoolgirl who just whined a lot. She was better in series 8 though.

I think the biggest problem with Back to Earth is the Blade Runner stuff. It's just too heavy handed.

I've got a lot of commentaries and making ofs still to do yet before moving on, but I'm looking forward to series 10-13 because even though I watched them, I cannot remember anything about them at all. It's a shame though the cast commentaries stop at series 9 because they're fab.

I will look out that podcast for sure!

[Pinwig]

May 5, 2024 12:28:33 GMT Jaymz said:

There's a relatively new podcast with comedians going through Red Dwarf episode by episode, currently on series 3. Worth a listen if you're into that kind of thing, called Better Than Life, should be available on your preferred podcast platform.

I've been listening but really need to rewatch the show as it has been many years.

Top tip that, thanks. I've been listening while painting ceilings this afternoon. It's very good. There's another one that has a similar format but isn't quite as good called Shipwrecked and Comatose. I listened to the first of that one too but I think I'll keep going with Better Than Life until I've caught up. Ta!

[Pinwig]

New three episode special next year.

www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/7897/red-dwarf-returns-with-special/

[The Doctor]

*reads article*

Ooo, I didn't know the Dave episodes were on Iplayer. I've only seen a few of them.

-Ralph

[Stomski]

May 16, 2024 21:15:58 GMT Pinwig said:

New three episode special next year.

www.comedy.co.uk/tv/news/7897/red-dwarf-returns-with-special/

Young Lister/Rimmer prequel?

Not sure I'm into it. It's the isolated odd couple sci-fi combo that makes the best Red Dwarf. Transpose the characters out of that setting and it loses much of its USP.

[Philip Ayres]

To be clear, the three new episodes, presumably from from Doug Naylor, next year *IS*NOT* the Young Lister/Rimmer prequel from Rob Grant also mentioned in the piece.

[Stomski]

I guess I can see how people may misconstrue that from my post if they didn't read the article.

[Philip Ayres]

I don't think it's 100% clear from the article either!

[Pinwig]

I've finished series 10 on my slow rewatch. I did watch those when they were on Dave but watching them now I've got almost no memory of them at all. It was like watching a new series. They're pretty good. There's a lot of good dialogue between Rimmer and Lister; the bunk chats that made the early series so good. I'm looking forward to 11 and 12 now because I have no memory of those either.

[Shockprowl]

Having someone of a slow rewatch here; introducing the eldest to it. Youngest too young for it still, so can only watch them here and there. I think we're up to series 5 or 6..? Just had the hologram virus episode.

I can't remember any of the later series- I suspect I actually haven't seen them. But these early ones are absolutely sensational. The chemistry of the characters, the imaginative stories. It's genius! Eldest is living it.