New Red Dwarf episode announced

[El Vaquero de Infierno]

Meh. As some have stated, it felt wrong without the live audience. And in general it wasn't particularly funny. It should of stayed buried.

[Ogen]

Christ that was fucking awful, just watched all 3 and didn't enjoy any of it.

[Ogen]

More than lilkely was filmed in front of a live audience and no fucker laughed.

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

I thought it was pretty good, for the most part.

If they decide to do a full series, in that kind of direction, I wouldn't be disappointed.

[NeanderCarl]

Most of the complaints I've heard about it are how it wasn't the same as it used to be during the "classic" days of audience sci-fi sitcom with thick layers of gags and one-liners.

It's never going to be the classic studio sitcom everyone remembers from series 1-6 ever again, and it hasn't been since 1993. I don't know why anyone would go into this new episode expecting a style which Dwarf hasn't employed in SIXTEEN YEARS! Ever since Rob Grant (who it seems was the sitcom-esque half of the pairing) left the writing partnership, Doug Naylor has understandably played to his own personal strengths as a writer and morphed Dwarf into more of a sci-fi comedy-drama. Anybody who went into it expecting anything different deserves their disappointment. If anything I found it to be better than I expected, but then I can embrace the show for its cleverness, characters and heart and not NEED 80s style sitcom banter and gags to enjoy it.

If they had produced another episode of early 90s style Dwarf, yes I (and many others) may have actually laughed more at this three-parter, but Dwarf would have been dead in the water for any future revival. That kind of show does not work in 2009, people would have dismissed Dwarf as a show that is stuck in the past or attempting to relive old glories (less successfully than first time round).

I see these new episodes as almost a different show, stylistically and comedically (in much the same way as series VII was very different to VI). It's as simple as working out whether this new style Red Dwarf (with lovely CGI, epic scope, much pathos and character development, clever stories, and a more realistic dialogue which means that maybe it's a little less in-your-face on the humour front) is something you want to get on board with and follow, and if not, just don't watch it. Nobody will hold it against you - it's a different show now, and it won't be for everyone, old fans included. But for me, I still want to watch. I'm more than satisfied.

[NeanderCarl]

By the way...

Originally Posted by Class Act Carl Even if it is, at least we finally get to actually see the final nail rather than have to speculate forever over the cliffhanger ending to series 8 (although in traditional Red Dwarf style they probably will just brush that one off by ignoring it or giving a short, throwaway explanation and start anew anyways).

How fucking spot-on was I? And waaaaaaay back in August, three months before the script was even written!

[Drakul]

I saw all three parts over the three days and really enjoyed them.
Did anyone notice the photo of Mel Bibby by the photo of Kochanski at the start? Mel was the set designer during the series but died about series VI (I think).

I think the ending was added on to leave it open for possible future shows. I think, judging by what Kryten said, the ending was supposed to be that Lister never woke up and lived his dream life after all leaving the crew and his "real life" behind.
I remember hearing there would be a "sting in the tail" at the end but I never saw one. Us being the fictional people, isn't really a sting and more like a little joke. The ending I mentioned is the closest I can find to a sting.

Originally Posted by Class Act Carl How fucking spot-on was I? And waaaaaaay back in August, three months before the script was even written!

The cliff hanger was kind of answered when they read the Back to Earth DVD case and it said it took place after series X. It didn't actually tell us what happened but it told us something happened if they had another two series before BtE took place.
The mention of Series X could just be a throw away thing or it could be letting us know we may get two more series.

[The Mackem]

Saw the third part last night, it was ok. Second was the better part, first wasn't good enough. Don't think the three seperate parts helped it any, to be honest. I hope they make another series.

[Impeccable]

Originally Posted by Drakul Did anyone notice the photo of Mel Bibby by the photo of Kochanski at the start? Mel was the set designer during the series but died about series VI (I think).

Yes, I saw that...pointed it out to my wife, who claims she is a bigger fan of the show than I am.

Originally Posted by Drakul The cliff hanger was kind of answered when they read the Back to Earth DVD case and it said it took place after series X. It didn't actually tell us what happened but it told us something happened if they had another two series before BtE took place. The mention of Series X could just be a throw away thing or it could be letting us know we may get two more series.

It was beautifully done tbh. By saying there was a season nine and ten, it simply let us know there had been a lot happen and they didn't need to explain anything in this set of shows. I think initially, it was a throw away comment, but should they do a series 9 and 10, they'll probably happen after Back to Earth and not touch on anything previous (essentially, series 9 and 10 to us, 11 and 12 to the boys from the dwarf)

[NeanderCarl]

Yes, I noticed the Mel Bibby picture... he died after series VIII so this is the first non-Bibby designed Dwarf since series 2. He had a great impact on the show, a pivotal one, and it was classy to acknowledge that.

[Drakul]

I was board and checked out the Red Dwarf forums on the official site and got linked to this in one of the threads.

Originally Posted by SFX.co.uk Six new Red Dwarf episodes a possibility. This weekend blogger Narin Bahar attended the Better Than Life convention and heard from the cast of Red Dwarf about plans to bring the series back for more It's the news Red Dwarf fans have been waiting for - the cast have confirmed for the first time that the show's creators are planning a new full series of the much-loved show. Speaking at the Better Than Life convention this weekend, Robert Llewellyn (Kryten), Chloe Annett (Kochanski) and Danny John-Jules (Cat) all confirmed that plans were being put in place for a full series. following the success of the Back to Earth specials commissioned by digital channel Dave and shown at Easter. Danny John-Jules told fans: "They're talking to Dave about doing a new series. I've heard they're discussing six episodes." Llewellyn said that he had been approached about it too and, along with Annett, confirmed that he was "very happy" at the prospect of a return of the show. There is no indication yet of when the show would be broadcast. John-Jules also said he was thrilled at the success of the recent specials, which gave Dave (renamed Lister for the Easter weekend in honour of Red Dwarf's own Dave) their best ever ratings and outperforming much bigger channels including the BBC, the show's former home - a fact which gave him particular glee. He told fans: "Coming back to do the specials was great. People were saying Red Dwarf was dead, that we wouldn't be able to do it, that it wouldn't be funny, that we wouldn't get into our costumes even. But there's something about always being the underdog. We overcame it. The BBC put three brand new shows on against our episodes when they were airing. And we whacked them all. We're very proud."

Source:http://www.sfx.co.uk/page/sfx?entry=..._new_red_dwarf

I'm hoping it all goes well and we get the episodes soon. Will they call it series IX or series X. Technically it's IX but with BtE taking place after IX they would have to make this X or something. I'm over thinking this.

What shows were the BBC showing at the time when Red Dwarf "whacked" them?

[NeanderCarl]

It's all speculative, nothing official has been announced. It sounds like a case of the guys saying "we'd like to do more and there are talks of a series", which was obviously going to happen after the success of Back To Earth anyway but doesn't neccessarily mean a deal can be reached, especially with Craig Charles and the Coronation Street producers.

Six episodes means a lot more budget required from Dave, plus a lot of those who worked on BTE (especially vis-FX guys) worked for a fraction of their normal asking price (or, in some cases, for free!) meaning either the effects on a new series would be a step backwards, or - again - more budget would need to be coughed up. Negotiations are delicate, there's no point anyone getting their hopes up as yet.

Any new series would be series IX. The "series IX and X" of Back To Earth were all part of an illusion, therefore there is no reason why there would not be a series IX, despite Doug Naylor's obviously tongue-in-cheek comments.

Not sure exactly what BBC2 were showing over the Dwarf weekend, but on the Friday it was golf.

[Impeccable]

CAC is right, Golf was on the friday night on BBC 2

On Easter Saturday, BBC1 brought out the big boys, Doctor Who special and Robin Hood, but bizarrely showed Casualty opposite Red Dwarf, with Golf on BBC 2.

Sunday night, No.1 Ladies Detective Agency, followed by season premiere of Damages (on the BBC) was on BBC 1, probably with more golf or repeats of the Qatar GP which had also been on that day on BBC2.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

That 3 part special was complete bollocks. Wasn't funny at all.

They should give up and stop ruining it if they're going to make episodes as bad as that.

[NeanderCarl]

Funny you should say that because, last time I checked, humour was a rather subjective subject, and lots of people did enjoy the specials and find them funny, myself included.

If you don't like the way Dwarf has evolved, watch the golf next time.

[NeanderCarl]

BTE Pts 2 and 3 were also up against Skellig and Lost, respectively - its two main competitors in the sci-fi/fantasy genre - and thrashed them both.

[KYR]

I must admit when I watched Episode 1 of BTE I groaned and thought 'how could they?'

But I persevered and watched Episodes 2 and 3 and it all gelled. Enjoyed it.

Didn't 'love' it, but enjoyed it.

[Disturbed316]

Still haven't seem parts 2 & 3 yet, need to sit down and watch them, pronto.

[NeanderCarl]

The DVD is out now. (And playing in the background for the first time on my TV as I write this, coincidentally.)

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Originally Posted by Class Act Carl Funny you should say that because, last time I checked, humour was a rather subjective subject, and lots of people did enjoy the specials and find them funny, myself included. If you don't like the way Dwarf has evolved, watch the golf next time.

Alright, I thought they were shit, as did lots of other people.

Are you Doug Naylor?

If there is a next time, I will probably still watch it because there's always the chance that a program called Red Dwarf featuring Lister, Kryten and the Cat might pull some of the old magic out of the bag. Or am I not allowed to watch it anymore because I thought the last episode was crap, Mr Subjective?

As for your massive post... there's no reason that the old format of Red Dwarf wouldn't work nowadays at all. For the simple reason that it was incredibly funny, hence the massive ratings and cult status. That's what Red Dwarf was and perhaps still can be good at. Not trying to be all clever with some elaborate storyline, which wasn't actually particularly clever.

[NeanderCarl]

Originally Posted by 1_Pablo_Angel Alright, I thought they were shit, as did lots of other people. Are you Doug Naylor? If there is a next time, I will probably still watch it because there's always the chance that a program called Red Dwarf featuring Lister, Kryten and the Cat might pull some of the old magic out of the bag. Or am I not allowed to watch it anymore because I thought the last episode was crap, Mr Subjective?

You said they shouldn't make any more. Why should they stop making a well-loved show just because you didn't like the latest episode? In Red Dwarf fan circles, the majority liked the newest episode, a lot more than series VII or VIII. Because you weren't a fan of it, that doesn't mean they should call it a day.

I didn't say you're not allowed to watch it because you no longer like it, but surely that's a natural reaction to a TV show you don't like? Everyone's entitled to an opinion, good or bad, but to continue watching a show you no longer enjoy defies logic, and if you choose to do so you should refrain from inflicting your "they should give it up" criticism and just watch the other channel.To call for it to be ended is a lot different to expressing your own dislike.

[1_Pablo_Angel]

Well it was a one off special. If they make a new series I'd like to think there's a chance it will be better.

[Drakul]

Series X has been confirmed a month ago at Dimension Jump 09. Taken from Robert Llewellyns Twitter from October the 10th 2009:

Originally Posted by Robert Llewellyn Series 10 of Red Dwarf announcement just been made at DJ 09. To clarify the scripts have been commissioned, wont be filming til 2010

source: http://twitter.com/bobbyllew/status/4759566568

Good news. Quite excited but wonder what they'll do. The ship seemed really quite cold and dull in BtE with everything being grey so I hope they add a bit more colour to it for series 10.
What about Holly? should he/she come back? Norman said he'd never do RD again so that would leave Hattie if they brought back Holly, unless they got someone new. I saw someone online suggest Bill Bailey. That doesn't sound like a bad idea.