DVDetails, and other TOS pieces featured image

The cover art for the Red Dwarf X DVD has been released, and with it, of course, the confirmed list of extras. The art itself is decent, if a little underwhelming compared to previous releases. I don’t like that publicity shot and the awful Photoshop filters that have been applied to it, but it does at least scream THIS IS RED DWARF to the casual HMV browser.

As for the extras, well, given that we’re getting a two-hour documentary for a three-hour series, it would be churlish and petty to complain about the extras, right?

Welcome to G&T. Now then, the first thing that struck me about the cover art was how short the extras list is. A tiny box-out as a footnote, rather than a huge list that takes up most of the back cover. Given the length of the documentary, I imagine it’ll include all manner of behind-the-scenes footage that might otherwise have been separate features. Indeed, from the itsy BITC screenshot, we can see that the doc includes lovely rehearsal footage. But…

Where are the isolated music cues? Where is the raw effects footage? Promotional interviews/appearances? Trailers, idents and continuity? Archive of web exclusives? I’d have thought there’d be the bloody Vindalunar promo on there at least! Are we not getting a collectors’ booklet? Will the menus be animated? PLEASE GOD, LET THERE BE A WEBLINK.

This is all stuff that the production has gone out of their way to find for previous releases, but there wasn’t any archive trawling required here – all this stuff is sitting on the same servers as the episodes themselves, let us have them!

Like I say, the documentary will include a hell of a lot of this stuff and more, and I know we’re not entitled to demand this material be included in full. It’s just a surprise, and a bit of a disappointment, that a series made in 2012 isn’t getting the same treatment as series made in 1988. Nor indeed a mini-series made in 2009. Don’t get me wrong; I’m completely grateful for the documentary, and I’m fully aware that two hours of original material on a DVD release is no mean feat. It’s just… odd.

But we do also have a large dollop of smeg ups and deleted scenes, with an optional Doug commentary on the latter. Which raises another disappointment – no commentaries on the episodes. Presumably the timings didn’t work out for getting the cast together; you have to catch Craig on a day off, and Danny’s been in Guadeloupe for a couple of months. But it’s a real shame that Doug’s not done one, considering how great he was solo on Back To Earth and with chums on The Bodysnatcher Collection.

Moan moan moan. But the thing is: We’re Smegged is clearly worth the price of the DVD/Bluray alone. Just think how brilliant the docs for I-VIII were, then add the factor of the documentary-makers being there for every single step of the production. There’s no way that it’s not worth buying the Red Dwarf X DVD, I just wish that it felt more… complete.

Other bits and bobs: there’s a previously-unseen picture of Kryten berating a dispensing machine on the back cover; a feature running time of 178 minutes means that the average episode length is over 29 minutes; that length of deleted scenes is ludicrous and brilliant; seeing the episodes listed like that, in that font, really brings it all home; did they really have to post a screenshot of Chris Barrie looking so bald?

Elsewhere on TOS, treachery’s Seb Patrick has added little mini episode guides for all of Series X, four of which feature brand new photos. Firstly, Fathers and Suns features Lister, Kryten, a bottle of champagne and a framed photo of Lister performing fellatio. Entangled has a shot of Lister floating around without his keys, while Dear Dave shows Lister with one of the vending machines that he’ll presumably have sex with at some point. And finally, The Beginning provides a clearer look at Rimmer’s ‘Battleplan Timetable’, whilst also featuring The Cat playing with a piece of dangling cable. You can see him doing this in The End: Original Assembly, and now he’s doing it sixty episodes and twenty-five years later.

Six days to go, people. SIX.

39 comments on “DVDetails, and other TOS pieces

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  • Yes, lovely. Though as I’ve mentioned elsewhere, it does rather look as though we definitely won’t be getting any episode commentaries, unless we maybe get an easter egg of an episode (The Beginning, perhaps?) with a bonus commentary from Doug. Doubt it, though.

    Still, looks, lovely, and if it’s a reversable sleeve, I can’t wait to see the other side.

  • All those logos make the front cover look a bit busy and I’m still not a fan of that bit of photoshop work used for the cover/posters. The original covers were brilliant and I hope the reverse side is more in line with that, though the artwork in many ways doesn’t stray too far from those I-VIII designs. Bit gutted at the lack of promotional material and Doug commentaries, especially when the promotional campaign has been so good but it’s just because Dwarf has been more spoilt than any programme I can think of in terms of getting everything-and-the-kitchen-sink releases.

    And now I realise there isn’t a production stills gallery either :(

    Oh wait. It says there are more surprises to come.

  • With the article now up I’ll also add that this:

    “It does at least scream THIS IS RED DWARF to the casual HMV browser.”

    is the reason I can accept the cover despite not thinking it is particularly beautiful. Also, I agree that the vindalunar highlights clip definitely would have been nice.

  • I want to see the reserse side!! Yeah the casual cover looks nice. But no collecter booklet.. no fx footage… :( :(

  • Ahhhh collector booklet! Stop pointing out more things that are missing! It makes me more dissapointed haha. Whilst reading all our complaints, mine included, all I can think is “Fee-fi-fo-fum, I smell the blood of an ungrateful bunch of bastards.”

  • Ah… skirting round our own spoiler policy here, but… I think “bonus TV commentary” may refer to a non-Kryten voice part that Robert did for that episode. That tweet’s dated May – they were nowhere near finished in the edit by then, the episode wouldn’t have been in a fit state to be commentating.

  • Please, GOD, Doug, at least do one episode commentary for us! :o( It would make my Christmas (even though I will – hopefully – either pre-order, or buy the DVD on the release date). Don’t mean to sound like a moaner. I mean, I know the 2 hour docco will CERTAINLY be worth the purchase. But still… like Ian said, I wish the extras were more complete.

    On a more positive note: I do quite like the cover art!

    And this:

    And while we’re sworn to secrecy, we can tell you that there are one or two pleasant surprises about the set still to be revealed.

    still gives me a bit of hope.

  • Would it really kill the people at 2|entertain to use some slightly more flattering images of the MAIN CAST? Jesus Christ, they all look over 70.

    Also, how about making Rimmers costume it’s actual colour, or Red Dwarf itself red and not pink? Or how about not white washing half the cast’s race away?

    Ten minutes in photoshop, nobbers.

    rdx

  • To be honest, I won’t miss having a cast commentary at all. But no Doug? That’s a real shame.

    Plus ALL THE OTHER STUFF Ian mentions. Gah. Why can’t Andrew be in charge of every DVD release ever?

  • I’d love to be able to say I’m excited about this, but you know, overseas blah blah blah ((insert generic “we have no information on international release dates” whining))

  • >To be honest, I won’t miss not having a cast commentary at all.

    I have to agree. I don’t think I’ve listened to any of them more than once. They’re a bit samey, really and I find the banter a little tiresome. But yes, no Doug commentary is an oversight. Always love hearing him talking about the show.

    Would be great if “You’re Smegged” covered the writing/ideas process in some capacity. Haven’t had nearly enough of that on the existing DVDs.

  • Would be great if “You’re Smegged” covered the writing/ideas process in some capacity. Haven’t had nearly enough of that on the existing DVDs.

    This is very true. I wonder, however, whether Doug is the kind of person who just doesn’t like talking about the writing process very much.

  • No, just just turned the fucking contrasts down. I can totally do that if you want though.

    Have you… have you *blacked up* Craig Charles?

  • That’s right, because I wasn’t fucking joking? Also, do you really think I’d “black” someone up? Other than to make a snarky comment to a new user?

    Cunts.

  • I’ve gotta say, the small list of extras is a disappointment, but we really have been spoiled in terms of previous DVDs. And even with this DVD we still are. I mean, what other TV show DVD would have a 2 hour documentary and half an hour of deleted scenes?

  • 2 Hour documentary is certainly a win :D

    However…. I know we have been spoiled in the past, but i’m disappointed we won’t have any cast or Doug commentary on the episodes (that we know of so far). I have to admit, i only bought the Series 7 and 8 DVDs for those, as i found the cast commentaries on the other DVDs, series six in particular to be funnier than the whole of Series 7 and 8 put together :D Plus it just gave extra value for money, because on Back to Earth specifically, you could watch the shows effectively 3 times and still get new content.

    If Back to Earth had been the same, i would have understood. But Back to Earth was a new production made by Dave and we got all the extra stuff we got on the series DVDs. What has changed? I wouldn’t mind paying more for them or having to wait longer to get the DVDs with commentaries. And of course RAW effects footage and such :-D Music cues too……. >-D

    Having said all that, lets be fair here. When you look at shows like Big Bang Theory which have a huge nerd following, 71 billion viewers an episode and make millions of dollars , yet have frankly crappy DVD releases, we have to realise how lucky we are to get the content we do for Dwarf releases. We have been spoiled.

  • “but it does at least scream THIS IS RED DWARF to the casual HMV browser.”

    …..Who see’s the dvd’s price – laugh’s then buys it online…..

    But no audio commentaries? how sad – I love them especially the introductions they do at the start. Maybe in a few years when the series ends – probably in 2018 I predict best to wrap things up for the 30th. Will be renting for now.

    Meanwhile over at the Beeb……Citizen Khan is getting the 10 disc treatment featuring the documentry entitled, “How we tried to polish a turd…”

  • Meanwhile over at the Beeb……Citizen Khan is getting the 10 disc treatment featuring the documentry entitled, “How we tried to polish a turd…”

    *shakes fist*

  • Maybe raw effects shots, promo material, etc. aren’t mentioned on the back as most ordinary people don’t really care about them, just us saddos.

    Also, isn’t there supposed to be another cover on the reverse that would fit in with the other series’?

  • While last week’s was a bit naff, Citizen Khan has been pretty decent IMO and I’m glad it’s got a 2nd series. It’s just a shame that a proper ‘family’ comedy is in such a late timeslot. Though, 3 million viewers have stuck with it (in your face, critics!), so I’m guessing the BBC will keep it at 10.35pm for series 2.

    Er, anyway…I’m sure there’ll be more extras than what have been revealed so far; namely, commentaries and some of the promo stuff. We’ll probably get to see some raw model effects in the main doco.

  • While last week’s was a bit naff, Citizen Khan has been pretty decent IMO and I’m glad it’s got a 2nd series. It’s just a shame that a proper ‘family’ comedy is in such a late timeslot. Though, 3 million viewers have stuck with it (in your face, critics!), so I’m guessing the BBC will keep it at 10.35pm for series 2.

    Agreed, the last one was by FAR the weakest of the lot. Deservedly hidden away as Episode 5. I hope not too many people saw it as their first one and judged it from that.

    Anyway, SORRY, RED DWARF DVDS.

  • /hugs you for noting the lack of actor commentaries so I don’t feel all alone in missing it

    But, looking forward to the rest, especially the documentary!

  • I really like the DVD sleeve design, especially the series 2/3 font used for the episode titles.

    I can only guess that isolated music cues and model shots will be included in the documentary, but it would be nice to have all the trailers and features we’ve come to expect.

    I pre ordered weeks ago from Amazon – I usually receive things from them 2 or 3 days after release though. And they say nurses have it tough.

  • Maybe raw effects shots, promo material, etc. aren’t mentioned on the back as most ordinary people don’t really care about them, just us saddos.

    Also, isn’t there supposed to be another cover on the reverse that would fit in with the other series’?

    it is dual sided and one is meant to be more the fans (i.e I-VIII style) i guess if the new series was released with the fan style cover it would not be as noticable i guess. im thinking the same, that the other cover will have a more complete list of extras..

    im hoping for animated menus (i absloutely love those!) , the raw fx shots and the collecters booklet

  • It is a great shame that there won`t be any commentaries.

    Obviously including a 2 hour documentary is a wonderful thing but the only thing missing from this (as opposed to the Series I-VIII Docs) will be a discussion on the reception to the episodes for obvious reasons. I thought that added another level of interest to the VII and VIII commentaries in particular but hopefully Doug will be interviewed before long to discuss how he feels about the reaction to the new shows.

  • If they make a XI, im sure the DVD that follows will have an episode breakdown of X.
    i remember I-III not having an episode breakdown but they added all 3 to the bodysnatcher dvd

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