It’s Official: Four New Red Dwarf Specials for Dave News Posted by Jonathan Capps on 19th September 2008, 11:40 Well, fuck me with a pogo stick. Red Dwarf is back on TV. So, my first reactions: It’s going to be on the free-to-air Dave, not GOLD. Got that? Dave, not GOLD. Good. Still no confirmation on the exact cast, but “the regular cast” suggests Series VIII era. Stop getting your girly pants in a twizzle about old clips – one of the specials appears to be a clip show (but don’t worry! It’s with a difference!) but when we have two brand new proper episodes and a documentary from the team that brought you The Beginning and It’s Cold Outside among others then that’s just fine with me. “Masterminded by Doug Naylor” suggests than any high hopes we may have had about Grant Naylor reforming are dashed. It was never likely, anyway, especially if the new episodes are either continuing from VIII or have anything to do with the film script. They’re to be broadcast in 2009 to “celebrate the 21st anniversary”. Looks like GNP have the same attitude to anniversaries as the Fan Club! I jest, of course, but what a massive boost this is going to be to DJ 2009. I looks like there’s a view to make even more Dwarf if this goes well (which, viewing figures wise, I imagine it will) which is *hugely* encouraging. Movie, anyone? THIS IS NEW RED DWARF. ON TV. IT IS BACK.
The “clip show with a difference” will presumably include the cast in-character…can’t think what else it will be.
>”The ?clip show with a difference? will presumably include the cast in-character?can?t think what else it will be.” But that’s not different – Friends did that for 50% of their episodes. I think it’ll be classic scenes but re-acted.
Awww…my celebration thread was locked. It was only for people to go “WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!”, make other nonsense noises and divise inventive ways of expressing their joy in a text-based format. Like a forum party. Party pooper!
I just did a little dance! this is fantastic news, even better as it sounds like it won’t be winding down the show, but instead will be reinvigorating it. hopefully this should spell a new run of Dwarf for many years to come. I hope if they do a commentary for the specials, the cast will reflect on how, they thought Only The Good.. would be there final one!
I can’t wait until proper (non-spoilery, of course) details are released about the plot of the episodes. New INTERESTING THOUGHTS added to my list, by the way. Sorry, ad, but I could easilly see that thread turning into a regular place for discussion about the specials rather than just a “w00t” place , and I’d rather not have any split discussions.
So long as you don’t think me a massive twat! You know, through all these rumours and now after this proper confirmation I’ve realised I’ve not once batted an eyelid that Red Dwarf’s new home is a commercial, digital channel. There was a time when I would vomit everywhere at the thought (especially a channel with such a revolting brand) but I’m not actually bothered in the slightest. Beggars can’t be cunts, I guess.
Well huzzah! More than I was expecting I must say (thought it was going to be 2 measly clip show episodes). With the possibility of more to come. All subject to change as it says, but still, huzzah! Scheduled for 2009… That covers a lot, surely they must be well into pre-production now. I hope Mike’s in on this. If he IS and if I whine hard enough I might be allowed to visit the workshops while it’s in production.
Any chance you could drop him a text to ask if he’s providing the model work, at least? ;) Can’t do any harm to reveal such things, surely!
This is undoubtedly better news than the rumours would have had us believe but I’ll keep the celebrations on hold until the episodes have aired. I’m sure the documentary will be great and I guess it’s nice that they’re acknowledging the show but I’m still not going to get too excited about this. That would boil down to forgetting how disappointed I was with VII and, frankly, disgusted I was with VIII. I haven’t enjoyed a new episode of this show since 1993 and certainly not since Rob Grant left. As for the clip show, I was also thinking old stuff performed anew. But this isn’t the original idea that Robert was talking about as Scrubs got there first and, incidentally, it didn’t stop it being shit.
> So long as you don?t think me a massive twat! well actually… This is all just too brilliant to take in all at once :D
“One of them is so exciting I’ve been asked not to say anything about that because other people will steal the idea” I wonder what this is!?!?!?!?!?
> As for the clip show, I was also thinking old stuff performed anew. But this isn?t the original idea that Robert was talking about as Scrubs got there first and, incidentally, it didn?t stop it being shit. Firstly: yes, this is sounds very likely and actually quite good and secondly: when Scrubs did it it was great, you FANNY.
If Mike is working or potentially working on something then he is tight as a duck’s arse about it until he is contractually allowed to say something. He knows I post here and while I have no intention of damaging his professional reputation anything I might accidentally let slip might be harmful to him. I can’t really even ask, ‘cos if he says “I can’t tell you” then I’ll know he’s on it in some capacity and the only other option he has is to lie outright. Which wouldn’t be fair or right. He knows I’ll be eager for any news, so when or if he’s allowed to say something that can be released then he’ll tell me. IF he’s on it. *waits*
Fair enough, Baz. I’ve just got a little excited thinking about the possibility of new shots using the models built for remastered… Mmmm.
” I?ve just got a little excited thinking about the possibility of new shots using the models built for remastered? Mmmm.” I guess that would be fairly cheap to do, as opposed to having to design and make models all over again. Doug always seemed fairly pissed off that he couldn’t use the models during the Re-mastering, and having seen them up close I totally agree that they should be used to accompany the CGI, as they just look fantastic.
Cant wait for the production updates we’re bound to see over the coming Fridays. I wonder just how far along the road this project is at this moment. Rumours for instance that Craig is taking a break from the Street fairly soon coupled with Robert’s mention of filming suggests things must have already fallen into place.. Just how long does it take to build sets, create costumes etc etc. Can this all be done within the time scale suggested in Roberts first revelation? So many questions. Good times.
> I guess that would be fairly cheap to do, as opposed to having to design and make models all over again. Presactly. Presuming they’ve been kept in good storage I’m guessing a clean up job could be done relatively quickly and cheaply, saving some cash for some beautiful motion control passes of the new ship. All guessing, of course, but that would be lovely.
>Just how long does it take to build sets, create costumes etc etc. Can this all be done within the time scale suggested in Roberts first revelation? So many questions. Don’t forget, GNP itself has been sitting on the news for a while. Some of this stuff may have been done already. Not the filming obviously considering how little Robert new until recently. And likely not the costumes due to Robert’s “Oh no! I’ve got to put the suit on again!” comment. (I kinda hope they get rid of those leads on the shoulder that were introduced during series 7. They don’t look bad, and they certainly add to the costume, but I find them a bit superflueous to a futuristic, albeit odd looking robot.) There are plenty of other things in a production that likely would have gotten underway.
I suspect it would be all new. The Fan Club have all the remaining crew costumes from Series VIII, and I think most of the sets were taken by The Propstore, and possibly destroyed as they were too big to do anything practical with. I would prefer something new anyway!
Brilliant news. Cant wait, to see this, and see what developes, even if 2 of the shows are not episodes as such this still sounds like it will be as entertaining a 21st anniversary as Dwarf night was, and probably more so. I liked a lot of VII and VIII so am optimistic this will be entertaining, however it turns out. But even for anyone who’s not enjoyed dwarf since VI there is a chance closer that something in this might entertain you, or at least celebrate what you liked previously. So great confirmed news. One question Mr capps. At what time today will the G & T crew be getting together for the… “group pissing in the faces of every internet poster who ever said that Dwarf was dead or completely over in the last ten years party” As I’d just like to watch, is all.
One question Mr capps. At what time today will the G & T crew be getting together for the? ?group pissing in the faces of every internet poster who ever said that Dwarf was dead or completely over in the last ten years party? As I?d just like to watch, is all. I’ve been doing that every time a new DVD has come out…
> ?group pissing in the faces of every internet poster who ever said that Dwarf was dead or completely over in the last ten years party? Heh, I’m sure most of them will now move on to “Dwarf doesn’t deserve a comeback anyway”.
FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK YES!!!! Ladies and gentlemen, we are BACK! Still lots to confirm, like when/where it’ll be shot, who exactly is in it, when the episode is set etc. but at least now we have PROPER confirmation and we can rest easy knowing the best thing ever is coming 2009 – no, not the Galactica finale, bloody ruddy Red Dwarf!! > I?m sure the documentary will be great and I guess it?s nice that they?re acknowledging the show but I?m still not going to get too excited about this. OK, that’s your prerogative. > That would boil down to forgetting how disappointed I was with VII and, frankly, disgusted I was with VIII. U-huh. > I haven?t enjoyed a new episode of this show since 1993 and certainly not since Rob Grant left. Take care, bye bye then. So, to this project (can’t wait to see how the clip show with a difference turns out, perhaps cast playing each others characters??) and hopefully FUTURE Dwarf, I raise my glass (well, Ikea plastic beaker). Good luck, everyone. It’s gonna be a ride! Spread the word, Red Dwarf is back on DAVE, 2009!!!!
I do have to keep reminding myself that there WILL BE more new Dwarf. It’s just been that long. I wouldn’t expect to hear anything about the actual plot of the show until it actually aired (or if you were an audience member *prays*). I’m as excited as a person who has a very extra special reason to be excited. NEW DWARF WOO! BRING IT ON!
I don’t know what to think or feel. I know I should be excited, but for some reason I just feel complete and utter indifference. That will no doubt change as we get closer to broadcast.
I am cautiously optimistic about the news. I don’t really subscribe to the opinion that any Dwarf must be good news even if it’s awful, but as Doug has had so long to come up with new ideas and jokes for the show then I’m hopeful that the quality could be there. I just hope that sections of the movie script, as long as they are relevant, are included and that the eps are treated as if they are the last ever (even if they turn out not to be).
It still hasn’t quite sunk in. I mean…it’s been SOOOOOOO long. Can’t quite believe we’re going to see the whole cast in character again (how weird will THAT look?!) Somehow, the gap between 6 and 7 seemed longer. I was only about 11 when 6 aired, though…so doubtlessly I had a shorted patience / attention span. More than anything, I want to have Dave’s babies. The CHANNEL Dave, that is. Depsite being Top Gear-heavy, I’ve always found that it pleasured me. Now I want to grab its balls and tug its shaft until it shoots its Dwarfy payload all over my eyeballs.
Is it wrong to still be excited? 2009 is gonna be one hell of a year, I hope these trounce what ever is on BBC2 at the same time. I wonder if these will broadcast over a month or paced over the year?
>I wonder if these will broadcast over a month or paced over the year? Judging by the nature of the episodes I would imagine they’ll be filmed relatively close together. The middle two, i.e. the actual new episodes, very likely will (i.e. a week apart) as I get the impression it’s a two part story.
> Still lots to confirm, like when/where it?ll be shot, GNP are still based at Shepperton aren’t they? If so I guess it’ll be there. Just had a thought – about a year ago a (almost certainly staged) video was leaked/posted onto youtube of the cast in a hotel doing a read through. Do you think that was the genesis of this project?
I seem to vaguely remember that mentioned. If I remember correctly it was denied as a ‘GNP venture’. Also Robert Llewellyn seemed almost as ignorant of the new material as we are in his tube offerings, except for there being an hour long story. Which technically is true since there is 2 half hour episodes of new material. ish, taking adverts into account.
>I just hope that sections of the movie script, as long as they are relevant, are included and that the eps are treated as if they are the last ever (even if they turn out not to be). Agreed completely. Whether there’s more to come after this or not, dear god, don’t let them end on a cliffhanger again.
>Funny, now that it?s been confirmed, I can?t quite believe it. I think I?m in >shock or something. I’m still pinching myself. I can’t believe that after all this time we’re getting brand new Dwarf. It’s pretty incredible when you think about it. There can’t be many shows that could do that ten years down the line.
OK yeah there was a movie. But as a Regular series. I know there was plans to launch a new series from the Fox film, but all things considered, I’m glad they didn’t.
This is why I need the internet. This news – including rumours – has been around since, what, Wednesday? And because I’ve been at work, and don’t have the internet at home, I DIDN’T KNOW! Please, next time something like this happens, someone text me. (Waits for hoax text messages from Ian)
>I can now believe it and I already did skippings, squealings and jigs on two seperate occasions. I hope you had a friend handy with a camcorder, and we’ll be getting a youtube link soon. ;)
Well, I guess I will have to sort the ariel out then so that the reception on Dave remains perfect for the conceivable future. EXCELLENT.
> I hope you had a friend handy with a camcorder, and we?ll be getting a youtube link soon. To be honest, I scared the hell out of my boyfriend there. He was too shocked to try anything with the camera or phone.
>Nine years down the line. Nine. Definitely 10 – RDVII filmed in Nov/Dec 1998 and aired early 1999. I’m guessing the new stuff will have a similar production schedule. I hate pedants and fear I’ve just become one.
> Definitely 10 – RDVII filmed in Nov/Dec 1998 and aired early 1999. I?m guessing the new stuff will have a similar production schedule. It’s ‘VIII’ and Seb was referring to Doctor Who.
>> Definitely 10 – RDVII filmed in Nov/Dec 1998 and aired early 1999. I?m guessing the new stuff will have a similar production schedule. >It?s ?VIII? and Seb was referring to Doctor Who To be fair, Doctor Who never really went away and the fanbase were always vocal: whether it was New Adventures books, Dimensions In Time, Radio Pertwee, McGann’s movie, Death Comes to Real Time, Shada take 2 or ‘I’m Richard E Grant’. In the grand scheme of things, they are all footnotes, but they all caused a bigger pressgasm than Identity Within, Bodysnatcher & Mobisodes combined.
So at last we can end all the rumour and scuttlebutt about whether Red Dwarf is going to be back. NOW we can start wildly speculating about what the content of the two new episodes is going to be. 1. Direct continuation from last episode or “10 years later!”? 2. Will there be a screen scroll up explaining what happened? 3. Will that be scrolling too fast to actually read? 4. Will Rimmer be a hologram? 5. Will it be on Starbug or Red Dwarf? 6. Will the Starbug crash? 7. Will it end the saga or be a cliffhanger? 8. Will Kochanski go home to her dimension or stay? 9. Norman or Hattie? 10. Will there be ANY attempt to tie in with early series continuity? 11. Alternative universe of their own? What I’d do is have them on Starbug 10 years later (fewer sets, lower cost), Which WILL crash, as usual. Still looking for Red Dwarf. The one the nanobots re-created was just a copy and an unstable one, so everything has vanished (including the crew). Rimmer dived into the alternative universe but also started disintegrating so had to be converted into a hologram. They got back onto the only matter the nanites didn’t create, the original starbug, now fixed (though not dimensionally expanded any more). They find the original Dwarf. They find Earth. the Dwarf is left in orbit awaiting the day an elderly Lister can go on board to talk to his younger self as in Future Echoes. Ancient computers left on earth inform them of many human colonies that might still exist and show them the last scoutship that could take them there/the beacon to summon them back to Earth. The end (the smeg it is). 12. Possibility of any of the above being true? 5-10%?
>The one the nanobots re-created was just a copy and an unstable one, so everything has vanished (including the crew). And Lister’s arm? And they found Red Dwarf, it had been turned into a planet.
>And Lister?s arm? Yup, that’s when he gets the bionic one (which looks amazingly lifelike at first, honest, you’d think he had just an ordinary arm there from how it looks). >And they found Red Dwarf, it had been turned into a planet. Drifts near a white hole and gets reversed back into the complete ship / It was an alternate Red Dwarf to begin with / some nanites rebuilt it molecule for molecule from the original matter so it’s stable / the reversed version of the corrosive microbe rebuilds the ship. See, nothing a bit of sci-fi doubletalk can’t cure.
>Drifts near a white hole and gets reversed back into the complete ship / It was an alternate Red Dwarf to begin with / some nanites rebuilt it molecule for molecule from the original matter so it?s stable / the reversed version of the corrosive microbe rebuilds the ship Not that old chestnut!
>Not that old chestnut! Heh :p Well they’re going to have to do SOMETHING like that. Otherwise we’ll never get to see that shot of the Dwarf approaching Earth (even the new Dwarf) and that big model in the Grant Naylor warehouse will just sit there getting dustier and dustier. Horse Chestnuts are having a bad time of it right now as it happens. Anyone else noticed how they’re all turning brown and dropping conkers already? They’re already under attack from the Bleeding Canker Virus and now the Chestnut Leaf Miner moth is really hitting hard. Between those two we might not have any left in a few years time. :(
1. Direct continuation from last episode or ?10 years later!?? I can’t really see an alternative to it being some time later. Chris Barrie looks a bit…different. And the others are all (not surprisingly) looking older. 2. Will there be a screen scroll up explaining what happened? It’s lazy, but it’s preferable to exposition-heavy dialogue. 3. Will that be scrolling too fast to actually read? I don’t see why not. A casual viewer really wont give a shit, fans can freeze frame if they’re that bothered. 4. Will Rimmer be a hologram? It’s no longer important to the character. 5. Will it be on Starbug or Red Dwarf? Starbug was seemingly demoted in VIII (and I can’t stand the revised Blue Midget cock-pit) so I’d expect it to be back on Red Dwarf. 6. Will the Starbug crash? Do bears shit in the woods? 7. Will it end the saga or be a cliffhanger? JUST END THE FUCKING THING PROPERLY 8. Will Kochanski go home to her dimension or stay? Kochanski (played by Annett, being dubbed by Grogan) to announce that she is returning to her dimension. Caption to appear, explaining that she died on the way. 9. Norman or Hattie? Norman to be back, but have no lines whatsoever. 10. Will there be ANY attempt to tie in with early series continuity? Let’s hope not. A Future Echoes resolution would be awful and alienate casual viewers. 11. Alternative universe of their own? If it’s one way of ignoring the events of the last two series.
>> Definitely 10 – RDVII filmed in Nov/Dec 1998 and aired early 1999. I?m guessing the new stuff will have a similar production schedule. >It?s ?VIII? and Seb was referring to Doctor Who. ‘Feels-like-a-twat-mode’ engaged.
1. Direct continuation from last episode or ?10 years later!?? Probably 10 years later considering the ages of the crew. It wouldn’t bother me if they decided to pick up the story straight after the end though, that’s what imaginations are for. I’d like to know how they resolved the hanging threads, which so far are: -All shuttle craft taken from ship by escaping crew. -Ship falling apart as result of virus/microbe/thing. -Rimmer stuck alone on the ship. -Rest of crew in an alternate reality. 2. Will there be a screen scroll up explaining what happened? They could do that. I agree exposition heavy dialogue would be clunky, but another option would be a Holly broadcast as shown in the first two series (I actually missed those a bit when they finished) or an ‘officer’s log’ type thing like series 7. A lot seem to dislike that sequence mind you (not me, I loved the Star Trek farciness and daftness), but it’s an option. 3. Will that be scrolling too fast to actually read? Been done before, so I hope not. Might encourage people to buy the DVD though. 4. Will Rimmer be a hologram? No need to be, but it would be great if we could catch up with the hologram new Ace Rimmer. Find out if the smeg-head we know and love actually succeeded or indeed sucks seeds. 5. Will it be on Starbug or Red Dwarf? I don’t mind really. A bit of both would be best. All the shuttlecraft are gone, but as someone mentioned, we’ve still got the wreckage of the ship they arrived on. Would enough robotic machinery have survived to fix the ship or churn out a new one? 6. Will the Starbug crash? A good chance any ship they are on will crash at some point. Whether it will be in the specials or later on in future Dwarf, should these be successful… as long as it fits the story. 7. Will it end the saga or be a cliffhanger? It needn’t be a cliffhanger, but it needn’t end the saga either. A good way would be to end it so that it COULD be taken as an ending, but is still open for more story. For example, if they found Earth, then the credits roll. They’ve returned to Earth! That could be the finale… but… what state is the planet in? Is it Garbage World with benevolent sentient cockroaches like the novels? Is it a cyborg controlled world like the film continuity? These things could be left open for a future series. 8. Will Kochanski go home to her dimension or stay? I hope she stays. I’ve noticed people still tend not to consider her as a legitimate crew-member, but having been there two series, I disagree. Besides she’s kind of the ‘normal person’ face into the Dwarf world. Not big on the comedy, but that’s the others job. As long as she’s progressed beyond the whiny girl of series 7 (which actually worked as a storyline by the way… do you really think you wouldn’t complain if you were suddenly stuck in a parallel universe with ‘poor versions’ of your own crew, one who looks like a missing lover?) and is more than the slightly dappy version of 8 (again, a couple of the funniest parts in that series involves her) I’d be happy. 9. Norman or Hattie? Both would be great. If I had to pick one I would say Norman, since we finished with him, but I didn’t find the extra senile version we got in series 8 all that funny. That’s not entirely his fault though. (The ‘rodent-bottomed’ gag was a good one though.) If the senility had reached a stage where he flips back and forth between personalities, or if the Hattie version was the original computer and Norman the long and expanded, I think that’d work. 10. Will there be ANY attempt to tie in with early series continuity? It would be interesting if they did, but I don’t see it as a priority. 11. Alternative universe of their own? If they haven’t escaped from the mirror-verse yet, this could well be. I hope that they end up back where they started by the end though. Whilst I’d like some kind of continuation from the series, it’d be interesting to see something concerning the film story too. I wondered if the 4th ‘different’ special would deal with this considering the ‘acting challenge’ but as it’s described as a ‘clip show with a difference’ I imagine that’s unlikely.
>?clip show with a difference? I’m currently leaning towards recreation of previous events, but with a Time Travel slant, a la Back to the Future Part II or Trials and Tribble-ations.
1. Direct continuation from last episode or ?10 years later!?? Presumably, no reference to continuity at all. Just some random jaunt… 2. Will there be a screen scroll up explaining what happened? 3. Will that be scrolling too fast to actually read? N/A 4. Will Rimmer be a hologram? Excellent question! Hard light hologram or human? Must say I’d like it to be the Hard light hologram version personally. Preferably with a blue version of season 5 uniform but I ask too much. 5. Will it be on Starbug or Red Dwarf? Both hopefully, but Starbug opens more opportunities. 6. Will the Starbug crash? I find that doubtful – Do you know how much those model shots cost, nowadays? 7. Will it end the saga or be a cliffhanger? I’m hoping it’s self contained story 8. Will Kochanski go home to her dimension or stay? If it has it’s own continuity, I’m surprised that even would get a reference… 9. Norman or Hattie? More than likely to be Norman as Holly. Though I don’t believe Hattie should be deprived a cameo… 10. Will there be ANY attempt to tie in with early series continuity? 11. Alternative universe of their own? I’d prefer it be a universe unto itself with no reference to last 8 seasons at all. It’ll be a grab for 3rd generation fans. We don’t need continuity to get in the way of the greatness Doug can write at this moment. We can worry about most of these questions and the cliffhanger when we get season 9 commissioned.
I’ve only just realised how much it would bother me if the Rimmer here was the nano recreated one as opposed to the original hologrammatic bastard we all know and love. It should be that Rimmer but with no explanation, then perhaps the gap could be filled in on the DVD, even if it’s just Doug telling us what happened.
>I?ve only just realised how much it would bother me if the Rimmer here was the nano recreated one as opposed to the original hologrammatic bastard we all know and love. It should be that Rimmer but with no explanation, then perhaps the gap could be filled in on the DVD, even if it?s just Doug telling us what happened. You’ve hit on a good idea there – how about no explanation on the broadcast version, since it will turn off casual fans, but maybe 15 extra minutes or so extra to conclude the series 8 cliffhanger on the DVD that follows?
>>?clip show with a difference? >I?m currently leaning towards recreation of previous events, but with a Time Travel slant, a la Back to the Future Part II or Trials and Tribble-ations. I was actually thinking it might be classic scenes re-enacted by other actors. Probably unlikely, but it did occur to me as a possibility. Kind of like all the talking heads they got for A-Z. Imagine Patrick Stewart and Stephen Hawking re-enacting the virginity discussion from Marooned. Classic comedy!
I?m currently leaning towards recreation of previous events, but with a Time Travel slant, a la Back to the Future Part II or Trials and Tribble-ations. I’d actually rather like that! I like both of those episodes. (Ok BttF is an entire film but for want of a better word…)
> I?m currently leaning towards recreation of previous events, but with a Time Travel slant, a la Back to the Future Part II or Trials and Tribble-ations. – That would be fooking lovely. It’ll probably all just be “smeg smeg smeg smeg – oh, look – there’s a cat.”
Kochanski (played by Annett, being dubbed by Grogan) to announce that she is returning to her dimension. Caption to appear, explaining that she died on the way. Yay! Do this one :)
Sod continuity. If I could choose one thing it would be that VII and VIII never happened. Go back to where VI left off, and give us back original Rimmer and Starbug. Next to no chance of this happening, but wtf.
Absolutely. It needs to grab the casual viewer. Nobody really gives two shits about a resolution to VIII and nearly as many won’t even remember it. Just start in Starbug or Dwarf with no explanation as to what’s happened. Or failing that, a speedy crawl would be more than enough.
> Sod continuity. > If I could choose one thing it would be that VII and VIII never happened. Not seeing the contradiction at all there? :-) If I could choose one thing, it’d be that the shows are funny.
This just occurred to me, it’s stated that the clip show is “a clip show with a difference”. Perhaps it’s a clip show showing the history of RD (as narrated by Kryten or Holly)to enable new viewers to catch up, but at the end they create a few new clips with narrative to show what has gone on recently. The upside of this is both new and old viewers alike can start at the same point when the new episodes air. Well it makes sense to me anyway.
I don’t think scene re-enactments are on the cards. Without set recreations etc. it wouldn’t be worth it. Why re-enact perfectly performed scenes anyway? It can’t just be that. Seriously, how sad would it be? ‘Oh, we’re gonna re-enact the historic “bulb” scene.’ Forgive me if I drive to a farmer’s field, step (deliberately) in a cow pat, lift up my shoe to look at it and find that more entertaining (even though I’ve just used a tenner’s worth of petrol).
How about Whose Dwarf is it Anyway? The core cast is assembled on a simple set and asked to recreate iconic scenes without any script or rehearsal, from memory. The White Hole discussion, the virginity conversation, Rimmer’s trial. Live audience. Adlibs and flubs more than welcome.
I just don’t think that that would make much sense for the casual viewer who would barely remember the scenes in question.
>for the casual viewer I spit on your casual viewer. I just really can’t figure out what on earth “clip show with a difference” means. As someone pointed out, it doesn’t just mean that they’re in character. At least, it shouldn’t, as probably half of all clip shows, if not more, are done in character. IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING GOOD.
I reckon a Back to the Future 2 / Trials and Tribbleations “insert the cast into earlier episodes so that they can eavesdrop / interact with old scenes” would be splendid.
I agree, that could be great. But as Monkey pointed out, would they rebuild all of the old sets for a few minutes in each scene? Something is happening here and we don’t know what it is…
>But as Monkey pointed out, would they rebuild all of the old sets for a few minutes in each scene Rather than going to the unnecessary trouble of rebuilding the sets, Doug just needs to build a workable time-drive and then have the cast and crew travel back with cameras etc and covertly film the scenes from different angles. They would, of course, have to avoid being seen by their past selves and the watching studio audiences of Series 1-VI and VIII. And they should also try not to destroy the universe in the process by, I dunno, having Chris Barrie attempting to stop his past self from making A Prince Among Men. But these are the hardships that go with making a clip-show.
Zombie’s picture is scaring the fucking bejesus out of me. Nice to see that not telling people something means they can’t really tell what it is. It’s very reassuring.
> It?s speculation, Andrew. It?s harmless, and a sign of life from the fan community. Again, the with the useful explanation. Cheers.
Again with the passive-aggressive dismissal. Cheers. I’d be tempted to say you seem to have lost all patience with me…but then I wonder if you’ve ever actually had any to begin with.
> I?d be tempted to say you seem to have lost all patience with me?but then I wonder if you?ve ever actually had any to begin with. I’m just not sure why a jokey comment – following a series of posts where people said they didn’t know what something was, based on not being told anything about it – warranted another little ‘back in your place’ put-down. No, it ain’t a trait I like much. But then I obviously have traits you have issues with or you wouldn’t respond that way in the first place. So let’s just leave it, can we?
> Zombie?s picture is scaring the fucking bejesus out of me. It makes me think of Knightmare. If they don’t hurry up with the special this IS what Norman will look like. Actually I’m betting myself a fiver that he isn’t involved. Hattie should be back, if Holly features at all.
>I reckon a Back to the Future 2 / Trials and Tribbleations ?insert the cast into earlier episodes so that they can eavesdrop / interact with old scenes? would be splendid. That would be bloody excellent. I’d love to see that. Seems like a technical nightmare though.
Zombie?s picture is scaring the fucking bejesus out of me. Glad i’m not the only one, and… It makes me think of Knightmare. Excellent.
Great news. From watching it right from the start as a teenager, I had a Red Dwarf break lasting from 1998 to last Christmas when my long suffering wife bought me Just The Shows vol 1 and vol 2 and the four books (of which two are absolute tosh). I hope they concentrate on the characters, psychology and humour that made season 2 (my favourite) so great, and have less keystone cops running-around-with-bazookoid moments. A real return to form is what I am looking for. This news had me looking around the sites (official one and this one) for what has gone on in the intervening years. I’ve read, for the first time; about the stupid remark by the BBC in rejecting the show (so they aren’t interested in 8 million viewers?), the fate of the film (unsurprising) and Iain Lee being the usual unfunny narcisstic cock that he always was and always will be. I’ve got a few ideas about what the clips show with a difference could be, one has been mentioned already (skits acted out live), and the other – acted out clips of parts of the story we never got to see. Series 7 was OK ish, but 8 was dreadful. But at this point, having recently reached the oasis of JTS vol 1 + 2 and staring at a dearth of vaguely subtle comedy sci-fi on a TV I hardly bother to watch these days, even two episodes of the poorly executed series 8 would be OK. I’m comforted by the fact it was commissioned by Dave. The budget will have to be quite low, which suggests constraining something. Just Holly, Lister, Rimmer, Kryten and Cat would be ideal, in a small number of sets. This will be a return to the claustrobic dysfunctional student flat era of series 1 and 2, but with better jokes. I hope. Great site by the way. Additional: I hope the scripts rip the piss out of some of the dreadful Sci-Fi that has been released in the last 15 years.
Welcome, Sertaindeaf. Pull up a chair and have a crumpet. It’s a nice place. Glad my avatar is giving people the fear. I think it effectively captures Norman’s best side.
Yeah that avtar is so scary I’m surprised the makers of Slimby havnt been on the phone. I agree with Daff’s comment, given that there are 2 shows as well as the 2 part special, depending on what order the air in, either could tackle any continuity issues outside of the 2 part special. whether it’s something in character within the clip show that establishes the new situation they are in, or whether it’s doug or someone talking in the making of saying “it’s now set in blah blah situation because X has happened, so when we first see X an X they are on board x ship etc” or equally saying “yeah we are enjoying making this again and we thought sod the continuity we’ll let fans fill in those blanks just like we did a couple of times already.”
>Glad my avatar is giving people the fear. I think it effectively captures Norman?s best side Did you flay it youself?
Fucking brilliant. To paraphrase the Doctor Who TV Movie; ‘They’re back, and it’s about time.” That’s the obligatory cheesy reaction out of the way. I’d love to see a series spring from this, but I’ll wait and see how it works out first. I’m also happy it’s hopefully getting a DVD release, as I won’t be able to record it. Wonder what they mean by “regular cast?” The series VIII cast presumably, though I’d love Hattie to be in it too. Blimey. The news still hasn’t quite sunk in.
“I know there was plans to launch a new series from the Fox film, but all things considered, I?m glad they didn?t.” Me too. Except for Paul McGann, of course.
>another little ?back in your place? put-down. No, it ain?t a trait I like much. The “other” back in your place putdown that you’re referring to is presumably the one from when performingmonkey speculated about how surprising it would be if a special popped up with no prior announcement? The one that you dismissed with a totally uncalled for “Oh, yes, that would be horrible, them working on a show without your valuable input?” If you read the conversation back you’ll see I wasn’t being abrasive at all. I had genuinely thought you misread his comment. After all, if you hadn’t misread it, what on earth would have warranted your sharp response? All I did was say, “You know, I’m pretty sure monkey didn’t mean anything by it.” If that’s a “back in your place” putdown to you then I don’t know what else I can offer. It was meant as clarification, and an opportunity for you to re-evaluate what it was you were so quick to fire about. >But then I obviously have traits you have issues with I think you’re an intelligent man whose quick trigger finger often has you saying things you wouldn’t really mean if you gave them a second thought. Of course, that’s all perspective and interpretation. Take it as you wish. I think you frequently have a lot to bring to discussions, which is the only reason I feel irritated when you react to things dismissively, or passive-aggressively. You’re capable of rising above that. >So let?s just leave it, can we? We can, and we’ve both said what we have to say. You obviously took my clarification of monkey’s comment the wrong way, and then when I asked if you were being sarcastic you gave me a SECOND curt brushoff. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, Andrew. Not every “was that sarcastic?” merits a slap in the neck.
> I think you?re an intelligent man whose quick trigger finger Are you Another Way To Die, the new Bond song by Jack White and Alicia Keys?
How many clip shows have we seen? Plenty, done by every show, so how do you make it interesting and different from all the rest, what hasn’t been done? It could be a clip show of the specials, everyone is thinking a clip show the entire 52 episodes, where going to have a making of, so why not have a special of the special?
Subject to change of course. Back to the making of, is listed before the actual new episodes, so you could say you get a spoiler before the main show. I can’t see it. If this is just a way of launching Red Dwarf again, making it accessible to just a new audience, then a clip show of the 52 would happen, but as something new for the existing audience, a clip show would be well, not a waste, but we’ve had a clip show on every disk.
Depending on what the ‘with a difference’ part of the clip show is, I’d have thought that the logical order would be: clip show (to reintroduce the show to casual viewers), new episode 1, new episode 2, behind the scenes. I know what you mean r.e. spoilers with putting the Behind The Scenes show first…I wonder if the order listed on the official site is planned broadcast order, production order, or no particular order?
I still think it’ll be over two nights with the ‘clip show’ following the first new episode then the making of on after the second. There’s no way the making of will be on seperate day, it would probably pass a lot of people by. The whole thing could be on one night but I think that would be a bit of a waste. A weekend I’m saying.
I should imagine they’ll show every episode in the weeks beforehand, give ’em a chance to promote the shit out of it (as they rightfully should).
>The whole thing could be on one night but I think that would be a bit of a waste. A weekend I?m saying. A weekend could certainly be the case. I imagine at least two nights will be involved considering we have 2 episodes of new stuff rather than 1 hour episode. I agree the making of should be on the same day as the second episode though for reasons give, like Doctor Who Confidential (albeit on the same channel.)
Personally I hope it isn’t on night after night. I loved waiting a week for the next ep, talking the last one over reliving it until the next one showed, it really needs a big cliff hanger as well.
>it really needs a big cliff hanger as well Unless there’s already more greenlit Dwarf in the pipeline, I emphatically disagree.
Yes sorry, should have said in between the 2 shows, not at the end of the Specials. Agree, it would only add more frustration if nothing came afterwards.
Ahhh, gotcha. Yes, I agree…preferably there would be a strong incentive at the end of part one to tune in for part two.
>it really needs a big cliff hanger as well >Unless there?s already more greenlit Dwarf in the pipeline, I emphatically disagree. I think he means at the end of part 1
Would anyone have preferred a single one-hour special over the two half hour shows shown a seperately? Just curious.
I have mixed feelings. As it’s a special, part of me would prefer it to be a single hour. However… since it’s been a while since we’ve seen it, part of me is also glad for it to be stretched out… if that make sense. I’m often like that, seeing both sides of the coin. One impersonation of a mutt chewing a toffee coming up. *Hewrlllll… shrooooo… hnngggggggh* Actually I’m really just happy we’re getting something NEW! If it’s one story (which I’m sure is the case) I imagine they’ll provide it as a single length option on the DVD too.
It might not even be split in two on the DVD, especially if the total running time only comes to around 50 minutes. Though the DVD version might be longer.
The DVD will probably have separate episode versions, an hour long version, complete version with outtakes and another version where all the cast are impersonating their lines in silly voices :P
Does anyone have a sneaking sense of dread that it might be totally crap? Or am I just being unduly pessimistic?
I’m a little worried myself, but that’s only because of the state red Dwarf was left in. 10 years is plenty of time.
bobby (kryten) has a new vid on his youtube page and he chats about new red dwarf (a little) its very interesting whats eveyone think? (this week he shows of his pond)
I don’t think it’s unreasonable to be worried. If you’re not keen on the last output of broadcast Dwarf, then it’s only natural to be concerend as to whether you’ll like what’s coming next. It’s a world of difference from saying “I’m worried” to saying “THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE SHIT”.
>It?s a world of difference from saying ?I?m worried? to saying ?THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE SHIT?. I don’t *want* it to be shit. I’m just afraid we’ll have a repeat of VIII, or, heaven forbid, VII.
I hope it’s exactly like VII and even better if it’s like VIII. 8 million, that would be a massive boost for Red Dwarf.
A photo of the cast in character would be utterly surreal but absolutely wonderful. Yeah! Let’s hope.
I don?t *want* it to be shit. I?m just afraid we?ll have a repeat of VIII, or, heaven forbid, VII. Oh, absolutely. And frankly, so am I. I think, if you didn’t like VII/VIII, it’s only natural to be worried. (Which is a completely separate issue from viewing figures and the like.) I was just making the point that I don’t want anybody to feel that they can’t say anything negative about the upcoming specials, given all the recent arguments. But nor do I want it to turn into mindless abuse either – which helps nobody and isn’t pleasant to read – or start making up problems based on supposed “facts” that aren’t confirmed yet. I really intended to hold your post up as the kind of thing that I *do* think is absolutely fine to post here, both in content and tone – it voices a genuine worry, and isn’t overly confrontational.
> I just hope we get a teaser cast photo or some thing on TOS near Xmas, now that would be great. That could well happen as early as next month when they first get together. Just a little shot of SOMETHING would be great, even a clapperboard slate with ‘Red Dwarf – Earth’ slate 1, take 1A or whatever on it.
According to Robert Llewellyn they won’t start filming the specials till january next year. Maybe pre-production is what the October date that was mentioned was about.
Three months of pre-production for a Dave-budget show? Hmmmm. I’ll expect someone like Ian or Andrew to step in imminently and tell me I’m wrong, but that seems like an awfully long time.
OK. Watch Tony “It’s Tony Hawks!” Hawks moan about things on the Times Website http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/related_features/a_life_more_streamlined/ ^ there.
I like Tony Hawks :-(. I think he’s a bright shining beacon of hope in an otherwise bleak landscape of comedy.
I like Tony too. But in these things he’s moaning about life. I like him doing that. Sorry if I made it seem otherwise.
