New Red Dwarf episode announced

[NeanderCarl]

Robert Llewellyn (the actor who portrays Kryten) has announced that a brand new episode of Red Dwarf is being filmed in OCTOBER (just a few weeks away!)

Here is the text from somebody who was at the event in, I believe, Seattle:

At the KTCS9 20th Anniversary evening tonight, Robert announced to a small crowd that a brand new, 1 hour Red Dwarf episode had been commissioned by BBC Worldwide, to be filmed in October 2008.

He wouldn’t spoil the storyline, but did mention that Grant Naylor was finalising the script right now

Could be a Christmas special (which would be a first), or could be the long awaited series finale 'Earth' which was supposed to close out series 8 but was dropped due to budget constraints (leaving fans with no closure for the last ten years :mad:) which wraps up the Dwarf story for good.

Hopefully it will be broadcast on TV, but the involvement of BBC Worldwide could indicate a DVD-exclusive episode.

Either way, this is fucking awesome (yet scary) news.

Hopefully it will be a good old classic Dwarf story and lead to renewed interest from the BBC for a new series, but considering it has been ten years, the cast are much older, greyer and balder, and the last two series were ripped to shred by both critics and fans alike... this could also turn out to be the final nail in the coffin.

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).

[Tornado]

This could be really bad, Dwarf got very stale towards the end.

[El Vaquero de Infierno]

:nono::nono:

The last 2 series were utter shite. They should leave it well enough alone.

[NeanderCarl]

I dunno... series 7 was weak on the comedy front, but then it was designed as more of a comedy-drama anyway, deliberately.

I actually really liked series 8, I don't know why it gets knocked so much. They changed the premise entirely but at the same time went back to an earlier-series feel with character based humour and Rimmer-Lister banter, and the isolated and trapped feel of the earlier shows with them being imprisoned.

I guess most people just don't like change and don't want to embrace it, even though after 'Earth' was dropped, the original ending to series 8 (which never aired in favour of a cliffhanger ending) returned them back to the original premise of being alone on the ship anyway. It was still funny, but a different kind of humour... not classic Dwarf but still amusing.

[The Destroyer]

I'll believe it when I see it. And even then I'm not holding out much hope of it being good.

[NeanderCarl]

Apparently it won't air until 2009... disappointing, but still whoo hoo.

[Londoner]

Hmmm, we'll see, im excited but worried at the same time.

[Confused]

Is this before or after they make the movie they've been promising the last 10 years, on and off....

Don't hold much hope for it. Towards the end it just ran out of the unique characters, situations and comedy that had been its strongpoint.

The introduction of that fuking Kochanski woman did it no favours either.

[NeanderCarl]

The movie is completely off the cards. No funding, no distributor, no chance.

Maybe this special will prove there is still mass interest in the show which will give the movie a kick up the arse.

Lots of American studios were interested in a Red Dwarf movie, but with a new cast. One even suggested Hugh Grant as Lister and Emma Thompson as Kochanski. No joke.

[Londoner]

I fuckin hate america for stuff like that, fucking completely redoing shows like red dwarf the way they want, DOES NOT FUCKING WORK.

[NeanderCarl]

Have you ever seen the US remake of the series?? Terrible. Jane 'Daphne from Frasier' Leeves as Holly, Craig Bierko as Lister, and Terry Farrell from Star Trek as a female Cat.

[Tornado]

Have you ever seen the US remake of the series?? Terrible. Jane 'Daphne from Frasier' Leeves as Holly, Craig Bierko as Lister, and Terry Farrell from Star Trek as a female Cat.


Yeah thats an extra on one of the DVD's. It was fucking terrible.

[KYR]

I've been playing "Better Than Life" since the series ended.

Bring me out when the new special airs.

[Outsider]

I'm hopeful. I don't think a new series will happen though, simply because Craig Charles is not going to give up a long term position on Corrie to come back and do one series of Red Dwarf.

But a one off special, with the right script, could be the farewell the show deserves.

[NeanderCarl]

By the way, the latest rumours (stress rumours) are that we're getting four new episodes to air on digital channel Dave early next year.

It will be a new story, but interspersed with classic clips. Hopefully the story will be self contained so they can mash it all together for a DVD release. The clip show format has taken the shine off a little bit, but it's still new Dwarf so that's pretty much good enough for now.

[NeanderCarl]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/cult/a126627/red-dwarf-to-make-digital-return.html

[Londoner]

Have you ever seen the US remake of the series?? Terrible. Jane 'Daphne from Frasier' Leeves as Holly, Craig Bierko as Lister, and Terry Farrell from Star Trek as a female Cat.

Seen a clip of it,it was fucking awful.

I really can't wait to see new red dwarf episodes, dunno it might just be cause of nostalgia or something.

[NeanderCarl]

Craig Charles is not going to give up a long term position on Corrie to come back and do one series of Red Dwarf.


Probably not, but soaps often grant actors extended breaks to work on other things. All he would need is 6 - 8 weeks off.

Whilst he is unlikely to choose a Dwarf series over Corrie, I do think he'd be a fool not to leave the soap to film the long delayed movie should it go ahead now. The financial reward, future earning potential and international stardom that the film would create would be more lucrative than a job which would probably allow him to come back a year down the line if he so wished anyway.

[Drakul]

I'm looking forward to this but I'm not going to get excited about it, just incase it turns out to be a glorified clipshow.
'Allo 'Allo did the clipshow reunion a few years ago and I'm sure another sitcom did it to but the name escapes me. So I think there is a chance it could essentially be a clipshow of some kind. I hope not though.

According to Robert Llewellyn, nothing else has been revealed other than the fact there is a new Red Dwarf "something" in the making:
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[NeanderCarl]

Details have been revealed, officially, by Grant Naylor Productions on their official Red Dwarf website:

New Red Dwarf Specials Confirmed

Announced by Dave, detailed here.

19 September, 2008

New specials? Proper information? After all the rumours? Oh smeg yes.

reddwarf.co.uk has the facts. As announced by Robert Llewellyn for Grant Naylor Productions this week at the UKTV seasonal press launch, the project is a short series of brand new specials to celebrate the 21st birthday of Red Dwarf.

New Red Dwarf Specials Confirmed New Red Dwarf Specials Confirmed New Red Dwarf Specials Confirmed

Doug Naylor will be masterminding the four half-hour instalments, and the regular cast will all be reprising their iconic roles. They are being made by GNP for UKTV's free-to-air channel, Dave - our new best friends!

Red Dwarf repeats on Dave - including an anniversary weekend run - have picked up remarkable numbers since the channel was reborn on Freeview, and it's becoming clear to all concerned that the show is picking a new, third generation audience. With the usual involvement from Red Dwarf partners BBC Worldwide, you can also expect international broadcasts to follow (and, we'd imagine, a top-quality DVD release in the fullness of time).

"It's very new news to me - I really only fully heard the details yesterday," Robert told comedian/host Michael McIntyre. "We're doing four new shows with the original cast. Two of them are going to be, like, proper episodes of Red Dwarf. One of them is so exciting I've been asked not to say anything about that because other people will steal the idea - and it is a great idea, quite challenging for us as performers. And the other one is a kind of behind-the-scenes-y... the truth. There's been so many rumours and gossip about Red Dwarf, about whether there's going to be a movie and whether we all get on, all those things... The downside for me, which is just dawning on me now, is I've got to do the 'rubber' thing again, which I haven't done for ten years."

For the record, and direct from the makers, the details of the four shows right now - while wholly subject to change - are:

Show One - The Making Of The Specials
A highly entertaining look at what goes on behind the scenes on a Red Dwarf production.

Show Two - Red Dwarf Special: Part One
The cast get back into character, and costume, a decade on...

Show Three - Red Dwarf Special: Part Two
The adventure continues...

Show Four - A Clip Show With a Serious Difference
The cast do it their way. Red Dwarf as you have never, ever seen it before!

The shows will broadcast sometime in 2009 and, if successful, could pave the way for further Red Dwarf TV projects. Thanks to movie and broadcaster wrangles, Grant Naylor haven't been in a position to produce new Red Dwarf since Series VIII went out to audiences of over eight million in 1999. This exciting development suggests a new and shiny future for everyone's favourite sci-fi comedy.

To be kept in the loop as we cover the new production, register your email address with reddwarf.co.uk in the box at the bottom of the page.

The Boys from the Dwarf are back!

[Outsider]

I'm so happy I could hug a lion.

[The Mackem]

Smoke me a kipper

[NeanderCarl]

The latest on the specials... filming starts next week, and Holly will not be featured in the new episodes. Actor Norman Lovett is so miffed, having kept his diary free for filming upon the insistance of the shows producers, that he has officially stated he will never be involved with any future Red Dwarf project again.

Kochanski also appears to be missing from the new episodes, so we will just have the core cast of Rimmer, Lister, Cat and Kryten. And apparently the budget is painfully small.

[Kane Knight]

Wow. They actually told him to keep his schedule (I refuse to call it a diary, as diaries are for 8 year old girls) open for filming and actually stiffed him?

[NeanderCarl]

Yep. And stiffed him the week before filming, via "a pathetic little e-mail from Grant Naylor Productions".

[NeanderCarl]

Budget constraints being the reason.

[NeanderCarl]

Apparently the mystery fourth episode, the "clip show with a difference", will actually be Red Dwarf Unplugged, an improvisation game show along the lines of Whose Line Is It Anyway? where the cast will attempt to recreate classic scenes from the show from memory. Could be awful, could be genius.

[Tornado]

Apparently the mystery fourth episode, the "clip show with a difference", will actually be Red Dwarf Unplugged, an improvisation game show along the lines of Whose Line Is It Anyway? where the cast will attempt to recreate classic scenes from the show from memory. Could be awful, could be genius.



Yeah that could really go either way...

[NeanderCarl]

I'm quite confident it will actually be good, we're not talking a bunch of luvvie actors here, these guys are comedians in their own right, and if you've ever seen the outtakes of Red Dwarf, some of the 'smeg ups' are nearly as funny as the show itself.

[Ogen]

Well it was better back in the days when the budget was tiny, not holding out too much hope mind could easily fuck this up.

[Confused]

Yeah, i suppose the writers, if they have the talent, produce scripts of a higher quality when the budget means they can't distract the viewer with an explosion or exotic alien every 10 minutes.

[NeanderCarl]

Well it was better back in the days when the budget was tiny, not holding out too much hope mind could easily fuck this up.

The budget for Red Dwarf was always small. They budget for series 8 was no better (when you consider inflation) to the budget for series 1. They just learned to use it better... or worse, depending on your opinion. But they learned to make it go further, as far as sets, costumes, model shots etc. were concerned.

They've always struggled with budget so the fact that they're having to write characters out of the new shows implies that we're talking a severely tiny budget.

[NeanderCarl]

Lots of news announced:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/4348317/Red-Dwarf-to-return-in-new-series.html

[Drakul]

You beat me to it. They aren't actually going to call the new series "Red Dwarf: Back to Earth" are they? Surely that's a bit of a spoiler. I'm guessing the "no holds barred" thing is what Robert Llewelyn was talking about in his latest video. He says we can get tickets for it eventually.
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[NeanderCarl]

Yes well it's only a two-parter, and that's the theme of the episodes so it makes sense for that to be the title. It doesn't neccessarily mean what we think, though. There is apparently "a twist"... hmmm...

This could be a finale for the show, drawing a line under it, or it could just be a big tease left open-ended for future episodes.

I would imagine what Doug Naylor will do is produce an episode which, if another is never made, will stand-up as closure to the story, a proper ending for Red Dwarf... yet leaving the door open for future shows at the same time.

[Drakul]

I think it may be a way of wrapping things up. I've heard it said that there is deffinitly no movie now. So, I'm guessing the specials are a way of ending the thing completely.

[NeanderCarl]

Hmmm....


http://www.ganymede.tv/atspeed/2009/02/first-set-picture

Looks like there's some kind of Red Dwarf/Coronation Street crossover going on here...

Nice to see some pics though.

[NeanderCarl]

http://photos-c.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2069/27/95/689490474/n689490474_5850802_8766.jpg

Rimmer just ain't Rimmer without the unruly curly hair. S'pose Chris Barrie can't help going bald though.

[NeanderCarl]

http://i674.photobucket.com/albums/vv106/thomasanthonyevans/reddwarf-1.jpg

[NeanderCarl]

http://www.ganymede.tv/files/carbug.jpg

[NeanderCarl]

http://m.gmgrd.co.uk/res/4.$plit/C_71_article_1094157_image_list_image_list_item_0_image.jpg?02%2F02%2F2009%2010%3A52%3A34%3A405

[NoJabbaNoBogRoll]

I pray that is just an advert they're filming there, with the actor being swiped away from his current role for comic-effect.

[NeanderCarl]

Well it was only one day's filming on the set, so highly doubt it would be much more than one or two spoof scenes.

[NeanderCarl]

NOW I'm officially pumped....

http://static.dave.uktv.co.uk/site_media/images/uploaded/2009/02/04/Red-Dwarf_First-shot_1000v2.jpg

[NeanderCarl]

It's still real to me, dammit...

[Ogen]

Haha Chris Barrie the only one who looks properly older

[Drakul]

Yet another Robert Llewelyn video. He says the usual Red Dwarf stuff but he does mention the leaked images.
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[NeanderCarl]

http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2009/02/06/space%2Dmeets%2Dthe%2Dstreet/space-meets-the-street-1s.jpg

Chris Barrie looks a lot better in this one. It seems the previous photos were rather unflattering angles. Okay, he's balder than he used to be, but not as markedly as it looked in other pics plus that is the Rimmer face right there. He remembers how to be Rimmer! Which is a relief after his cartoonish overacting in series VIII.

[NeanderCarl]

The latest: Unplugged has been cancelled, Back To Earth is now a three-part episode.

Also, there is a new cast member in the shape of the lovely Sophie Winkleman (Big Suze from Peep Show).

http://img.listal.com/image/418761/180full-sophie-winkleman.jpg

[Drakul]

I wonder why it was cancelled. Was the cast just not up for it? Was it a budget thing or did they think there wouldn't be enough interest?

Is that woman going to play a new character or is she replacing someone. Like a new Holly or Kochanzki?

I'm asking so many questions.

[NeanderCarl]

The official word is that there was too much story to cram into two episodes... the plan was always to release an extended version on DVD, but when it became apparent that there was too much vital material that couldn't be cut from the two-parter without ruining the story, they decided to drop Unplugged and use the time and money alloted to that to make a third episode.

Winkleman's role hasn't been confirmed, but wouldn't bet against her playing Kochanski.

[Outsider]

I would be suprised to see her play Holly if they told Norman Lovett he wasn't needed, so it would more than likely be Kochanski unless they write her out pretty quickly. Although given that Chole Annett never really did a bad job, and her career has hardly been stunning since the end of Red Dwarf, I would be suprised if they decided not to offer her the job or she decided to turn it down. I guess we'll find out.

[NeanderCarl]

Fairly sure Chloe Annett is pretty much retired.

[NeanderCarl]

Well, the nature of Sophie Winkleman's role is no longer a speculation point.

http://static.dave.uktv.co.uk/site_media/images/uploaded/2009/03/04/Katerina-465x386.jpg

She is playing Katerina, a former science officer aboard Red Dwarf resurrected as a hologram, who is intent on taking Rimmer's place as the ship hologram (Red Dwarf's power supplies can only sustain one hologram on a permanent basis)

[NeanderCarl]

Between all the recent news, the fact that these new episodes seem to have some kind of meta-fiction element, the fact that Doug Naylor seems intent on developing and adding to the Red Dwarf mythos rather than churning out a standalone story which could have fitted into a previous series, and some stunning looking photographs around the 'net of costumes, sets, locations.... all my worries about teeny weeny budgets, low production values and a lame effort have been 100% alleviated.

This is not a glorified clipshow. This is not the characters sitting in a cheap imitation set, churning out fanboy references and resurrecting tired old alter egos and running gags.

This is brand new Red Dwarf, a decade later, with new characters, new twists, fantastic sets and according to all sources, brimming with hilarious gags and gripping storylines.

Plus, Red Dwarf is following the recent trends of televised comedy and rather than play it safe and go back to the 'tried and tested' formula of old, this mini-series will NOT be filmed in front of an audience and will NOT have a laughter track. And it is the first British television show ever to be filmed on Red One cameras. (Some kind of super duper HD, I understand).

All indications are that on April 10th, we won't be witnessing an embarrassing retread through some 'old favourites'. We Red Dwarf fans will be getting something new, unique and very special.

Thank you, channel Dave!

[Outsider]

Between all the recent news, the fact that these new episodes seem to have some kind of meta-fiction element, the fact that Doug Naylor seems intent on developing and adding to the Red Dwarf mythos rather than churning out a standalone story which could have fitted into a previous series, and some stunning looking photographs around the 'net of costumes, sets, locations.... all my worries about teeny weeny budgets, low production values and a lame effort have been 100% alleviated.

This is not a glorified clipshow. This is not the characters sitting in a cheap imitation set, churning out fanboy references and resurrecting tired old alter egos and running gags.

This is brand new Red Dwarf, a decade later, with new characters, new twists, fantastic sets and according to all sources, brimming with hilarious gags and gripping storylines.

Plus, Red Dwarf is following the recent trends of televised comedy and rather than play it safe and go back to the 'tried and tested' formula of old, this mini-series will NOT be filmed in front of an audience and will NOT have a laughter track. And it is the first British television show ever to be filmed on Red One cameras. (Some kind of super duper HD, I understand).

All indications are that on April 10th, we won't be witnessing an embarrassing retread through some 'old favourites'. We Red Dwarf fans will be getting something new, unique and very special.

Thank you, channel Dave!

All Hail Dave! All Hail Dave! All Hail Dave!

If Dave can get some new Blackadder, then I will marry it.

[NeanderCarl]

I kinda think the BBC would bite Elton, Curtis and Atkinson's hands off if they were offered more Blackadder, whereas Dwarf had to go elsewhere because the BBC "is no longer interested in the audience Red Dwarf used to attract".

Yes, we pay these fellas a licence fee.

[NeanderCarl]

http://www.ganymede.tv/files/downloads/wallpapers/art/dwarf-tvlicence-800.png

[NeanderCarl]

The new bunkroom set which also contains clues as to the explanation for Holly's absence...

http://static.dave.uktv.co.uk/site_media/images/uploaded/2009/03/11/Broadcast-large.jpg

Pretty huge spoilerage contained in the official episode synopsi as revealed today by the Dave website.

Back To Earth – Part One
Nine years later the Red Dwarf crew are older but still none the wiser. Lister’s busy day of annoying Rimmer is interrupted by the discovery of a dimension-hopping leviathan in the ship’s mile-deep water tank.

Back To Earth - Part Two
Rimmer’s replacement, Katerina (Sophie Winkleman), is determined to guide Lister back to his home planet. But Earth in 2009 is not everything the boys had expected, and Rimmer has no intention of being replaced.

Back To Earth - Part Three
Knowing they are destined to die, the Dwarfers – in best Blade Runner traditions – track down those responsible for their creation to plead for more life.

[Impeccable]

I love that picture! New wallpaper!

[Outsider]

Hmmm...I wonder how this fits in with the end of series eight? Are the rest of the crew still alive?

[NeanderCarl]

Doug Naylor revealed that the episodes are set nine years later, Kochanski has died, and Lister left a tap on for nine years which flooded the ship and Holly has yet to dry out.

No word on the original crew but I'd imagine if they are bringing one back as a hologram that they probably died too, somehow. Not sure if they will even answer these questions in the show... historically, Red Dwarf isn't one to dwell on cliffhangers or even acknowledge them sometimes.

[Impeccable]

Never a fan of Kochanski, but I'd rather she hadn't died...maybe they could have written it so that she found her way back to her alternate dimension...ah well.

[Outsider]

Doug Naylor revealed that the episodes are set nine years later, Kochanski has died, and Lister left a tap on for nine years which flooded the ship and Holly has yet to dry out.

No word on the original crew but I'd imagine if they are bringing one back as a hologram that they probably died too, somehow. Not sure if they will even answer these questions in the show... historically, Red Dwarf isn't one to dwell on cliffhangers or even acknowledge them sometimes.

And that must also mean Rimmer has died again as well.

[NeanderCarl]

Well I suppose he must have died as a result of his cliffhanger situation in Only The Good.... unless these episodes are set IN the mirror universe (where obviously, there would be no Rimmer because he was stuck on the original Red Dwarf) and they'd have to resurrect him as a hologram.

Or, failing that, the Rimmer in the new episodes could be the ORIGINAL hologram Rimmer, having returned at some point?

[NeanderCarl]

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[NeanderCarl]

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[NeanderCarl]

Crazy to look back at how this thread started, and chart the development of a nostalgic 1hr clip show into the epic 3-part mini-movie that will air in two weeks. Watching the trailer brings it all full circle, huh?

Well... nearly. I suppose the time for that will be on April 12th when the final show airs.

[Impeccable]

I cannot wait for this. I don't really want to wish away the next two weeks, but I am so looking forward to new episodes of my fave sitcom of all time.

[Outsider]

Please don't suck. Please don't suck. Please don't suck.

[Impeccable]

Everything I've seen and heard so far indicates that this will not suck.

However, I was given the same indications by Blackadder: Back and Forth Through Time.

[Disturbed316]

Cannot wait for this.

[NeanderCarl]

8 days to go.... :D

[Outsider]

8 days to go.... :D

Make time go faster :mad:

[The Mackem]

I can barely remember how the last series finished. I remember that stuff with the canaries and that but can't remember what else happened before the end. Maybe didn't see the last episodes. Will it matter when watching the new ones?

[NeanderCarl]

Doubtful. It seems much has changed (or rather regressed) since the end of series VIII.

We may even have a bit of a retcon situation going on.

[NeanderCarl]

Hmmmm.... not sure whether I like the look of this, mainly because of the sheer obviousness of the greenscreen sections.

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[CharismaInjection]

I spose you just gotta hope that it'll look better on the tv screen.

[The Destroyer]

I don't think it looks too bad, actually.

[Impeccable]

It looks okay. We've got to remember that these guys will still be working on a strict budget (the reason Norman couldn't star I believe).

[NeanderCarl]

It's growing on me. It looks far more spectacular than it ever did before (they got Mike Seymour from Lord of the Rings doing the special effects) but it's still too obviously greenscreen in some places.

As CharismaInjection said, it will probably look better on the screen, and better again in HD when the DVD comes out. (Not that I have a HD set, but some will have that luxury).

[CharismaInjection]

I have to attend a family birthday party on the friday.....:( :( :(
i wonder if there will be a repeat later on in the night?
there should be.

[Londoner]

Can't wait for this.

[Londoner]

I have to attend a family birthday party on the friday.....:( :( :(
i wonder if there will be a repeat later on in the night?
there should be.

There is. Sometime around 11 if i remember correctly?

[NeanderCarl]

Dave ja vu (Dave+1), one hour later.

[CharismaInjection]

unfortuantely i don't think the party will only last an hour haha

[Mooияakeя™]

I knew the BBC didn't hate RD after all! At least it gets some sort of life. The film never seemed on.

Can't wait. Will have to set the Sky+ as I'm not here.

[CharismaInjection]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6W8DQ2poWdA

New 6 minute preview of it, opinions everyone?

[Ogen]

Not clicking any links in here can't wait for it, shall be away from a tv for most of the weekend drinking though so I'm looking forward to downloading the 3 episodes Monday and nursing a hangover with them. I'm right in saying its one Friday, Saturday, Sunday yes?

[NeanderCarl]

They're repeating the whole thing in a block on Monday night anyway, plus the Making Of.

[NeanderCarl]

If you love Dwarf, and want more, watch it on Dave rather than download it. The ratings matter.

[Impeccable]

IT'S TODAY!!! TODAY!!!!!! THE WAIT IT OVER!

[Outsider]

IT'S TODAY!!! TODAY!!!!!! THE WAIT IT OVER!

Dammit, that's what I came into this thread to do.

[Londoner]

IT'S TODAY!!! TODAY!!!!!! THE WAIT IT OVER!

Still around 5 hours to wait though mate.:p

[The Destroyer]

Looked good, could have been funnier. Still seems wrong without a laugh track. :-\

Oh well, still 2 to go.

[Londoner]

3 to go isnt there?

Anyhow,i thought it was a good start despite no laughter track.

[The Mackem]

It seemed very strange without it, almost awkward which feels weird to even think that. Not a lot seemed to happen in it. Will wait to see how the others turn out.

[Impeccable]

As mentioned, the big difference was the lack of laughter track. I still laughed at the appropriate moments, but kind of missed it. Wasn't sure on the abrupt end...maybe the dvd will just link all episodes together as one.

Still, I've been looking forward to it for months and it didn't let me down.

[CharismaInjection]

It wasn't awful by any stretch of the imagination, I was never not entertained by it, it reminded me of the early Red Dwarf's that seemed to focus more on the characters themselves.

[Outsider]

It didn't seem to explain much, but I'm guessing that is deliberate.

Watching some of the older ones after the new ones though I really noticed how much difference the laugh track made.

I'm gonna watch it with beer tonight and see if that makes a difference too :y:

[NeanderCarl]

Really enjoyed it. Didn't seem like a self-contained episode, I really think these specials will play a lot better watched back-to-back (or rather, all in one extended edit) on DVD when it is released, based on the first one.

It doesn't seem to be written as a three episode story-arc, but more as one long story hacked up for broadcast. That's why I think the pace was a bit slower and more subdued last night than I expected. It was just setting the scene, starting to build momentum, reach a later crescendo... which will work perfectly fine when watched as a whole, but seems to have disappointed some people who have reviewed the first episode alone and claim that nothing really happened in it.

If they are patient, I'm sure they will be rewarded. It got 2.2 million viewers, which is phenomenal and doubled Dave's current record (and beat BBC2 in the same slot, which is salt in the wound for the channel that refused to recommission it). I can understand why some may have been disappointed but I hope that doesn't translate to a big dip in ratings tonight and tomorrow because I'm very confident (and backed up by reviewers who have actually seen the whole thing) that everything picks up considerably when they reach Earth.

As far as last night's part 1... I loved it. It looked beautiful... the characterization was *almost* spot on... it wasn't gag-a-minute studio sitcom funny, but there were some cracking lines, good visual gags and great character stuff... Katerina is stunning... the CGI was unbelievable, I'm usually not a fan of CGI because it looks so unnatural and obvious, but it looked AS good as model shots in this episode and the green screen sets looked so superb that you just barely noticed they were green screen (if you didn't know, you probably wouldn't have even considered it).

Obviously an evolution of the show as far as look, tone and direction are concerned but that's fine, it keeps the show relevant in 2009 rather than just be a nostalgic reunion show. This is a show with a lot of life left in it, not a show simply celebrating a glorious past. Best new Red Dwarf material since 1993, first proof that Doug Naylor can still produce PROPER Red Dwarf as a sole writer. No laugh track was strange at first, but didn't really affect it... a more comedy-drama tone is the way televised comedy in general is tilted nowadays and to have a shot at coming back full-time, I think it was a brave and neccessary step to take.

Can't wait until 9pm!

[The Mackem]

A lot better tonight, good story and great jokes.

[CharismaInjection]

I'm not a fan of the plot at all :/ I spose we should only take it as a TV show, but Red Dwarf is what I grew up on, and to see it joking about itself is just not what I'd like to see :/ for a comic relief special, that'd be fine, but an actual episode of the series, I'm a bit like 'hmmmm' :/ not looking forward to Lister talking to Craig Charles...

[Londoner]

It was both weird and funny,i don't know what else to say.

[NeanderCarl]

I had to watch Pt 2 twice in a row. First time I watched it, I was disappointed. "Is that it?"

On second viewing, I clicked with it a lot more. If Part 1 felt like old school (series 1 and 2) character comedy with a sci-fi twist, then this was more along the lines of the action-adventure style of series 3-7 (and, to some extent, 8). But certainly funnier than series 7.

So far, I think the story as a whole is about a 7.5 or maybe 8 out of 10. Pt 3 can certainly raise the overall score for me. Still think overall 'Back to Earth', thus far, has been the best ever solo Doug Naylor written Dwarf.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Just to clarify as well, there were no seasons 9 and 10 of Red Dwarf, was there?

[Tornado]

Just to clarify as well, there were no seasons 9 and 10 of Red Dwarf, was there?


No.

[Tornado]

If they are patient, I'm sure they will be rewarded. It got 2.2 million viewers, which is phenomenal and doubled Dave's current record (and beat BBC2 in the same slot, which is salt in the wound for the channel that refused to recommission it). I can understand why some may have been disappointed but I hope that doesn't translate to a big dip in ratings tonight and tomorrow because I'm very confident (and backed up by reviewers who have actually seen the whole thing) that everything picks up considerably when they reach Earth.


Part 2 - 937,000 viewers, loss of over half. Oh Dear.

[El Capitano Gatisto]

It was on a Saturday night.

Said over on Rajah, this reminds me of the old storyline where they were fooled into thinking Red Dwarf was all just a computer game simulator. Despair Squid episode.

[The Destroyer]

It was on a Saturday night.

Said over on Rajah, this reminds me of the old storyline where they were fooled into thinking Red Dwarf was all just a computer game simulator. Despair Squid episode.
Plus it was also up against the last 15 minutes of Britain's Got Talent, which peaked at something like 11 million viewers (51% of the audience).

It still got the second highest rating out of anything on "multi-channel TV" i.e. everything not on BBC 1, BBC 2, ITV, Channel 4 or Channel 5. Which sounds pretty respectable to me.

[NeanderCarl]

937K is still a massive success for Dave... but can't be considered a massive success for Doug Naylor's abilities to write an engrossing three-part episode which makes people want to come back for more.

I really like Pt 1, but it is so obvious that it wasn't going to entice casual viewers back for Pt 2, it really should have had a good cliffhanger (wow, first time a RD fan has ever requested a cliffhanger, huh?).

Still, channel Dave won't be upset with the figure, and I would imagine it will hold steady for Pt 3. Be nice to see it increase (maybe 1.5m?) but at the very least I wouldn't expect a big drop.

Don't forget Pt 2 went head to head during certain points with both the new Doctor Who's behind-the-scenes show (and that's direct competition in the sci-fi market, from a mainstream channel) and the huge ratings winner Britain's Got Talent.

Tonight's episode is up against golf, an episode of Lewis which starts at 8pm, some ABBA doc on Five, The No 1 Ladie's Detective Agency on BBC (not sure how popular that is) and a new episode of Lost on Sky1 , which to me is the biggest contender for the sci-fi fans viewing vote.

Would be interested to know the viewing figures for Red Dwarf Pt 2 on Dave's delayed +1 service Dave Ja Vu, find out how many people were still interested in Dwarf but watched it an hour later.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Not only that but it was repeated the entire night as well, I think it was on every hour and a half on the the normal Dave.

As for tonight, really loved how it tied up :D

[#BROKEN Hasney]

LOL @ making of saying the budget couldn't even afford a smart car.

[NeanderCarl]

Well, well, well...

I liked it very much.

[Londoner]

I didn't, but enjoyed the old episodes more after it.

[Outsider]

The third episode was clearly the best of them. Really enjoyed it. It's a shame that the first part was so weak compared to the other two, I guess that kinda hurt the ratings.

I kinda guessed it was a despair squid straight away, but dismissed it as too obvious and a bit of a rehash. Maybe I should have lowered my expectations there!

Suprised to see Chloe Annet in it at all, but in a good way.

I think it's interesting that it didn't wrap anything up. I thought that it would be a 'final' episode, with Lister getting his happy ending. But this ending leaves scope for more, I'm guessing this is deliberate. Will be interesting to see what Dave say in the next few days, as in whether they will be wanting to commission new specials or even a new series. Although I may just be being hopeful there.

[Mooияakeя™]

Bah. I still haven't seen it as I'm not in the country, and my SKY+ box has been replaced, so didn't record it. Here's hoping they'll re-show it. Really dont want to have to find shit quality over on Dailymotion or something.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/75579949/red+dwarf?tab=summary

http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/75741149/red+dwarf?tab=summary

http://isohunt.com/torrent_details/75881329/red+dwarf?tab=summary

All three parts there for you, DTV quality.

[Londoner]

They're showing all the new episodes again tonight I believe. Wasn't that impressed with it though...

[NeanderCarl]

I'm very happy with most elements, except there were too many Blade Runner references (which was kinda excused/justified in Pt 3, but still alienated me as somebody who has never seen Blade Runner) and it wasn't the old laugh-a-minute sitcom humour, but that was fine in the context and tone of the episode. No real problems with it, glad to see it back and here's to more in the future!

[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...


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? :lol: 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.

How fucking spot-on was I? :lol: 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]

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.

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.

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=blog_six_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]

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]

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:

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.