Just realised, Series XII has broken the I-VI bubble…

[McAleeCh]

…for length of time between series.

Realised today, this is the first time since the original six series we’ve had a gap this short between the television broadcast of two brand-new series of Red Dwarf. Series XII will begin airing a mere 350 days after the previous series, the third-shortest gap between two new series in the show’s history. Previously, the six shortest gaps between series were all counted within the show’s original six series – what many consider “Classic” Red Dwarf – so this is a pretty big milestone as far as pointless minutiae related to the show is concerned. = P

For comparison, and because I know people love lists, here’s a listing of the gaps between the TV broadcast of all series up to and including Series XII, ranked from shortest to longest:

• Series I-II: 169 days (rather appropriately!)
• Series IV-V: 336 days:
• Series XI-XII: 350 days:
• Series II-III: 399 days (1 year, 1 month, 3 days)
• Series III-IV: 422 days (1 year, 1 month, 26 days)
• Series V-VI: 560 days (1 year, 6 months, 11 days – rather ironic for a series rushed into production to meet a much earlier date…!)
• Series VII-VIII: 713 days (1 year, 11 months, 11 days)
• Series VI-VII: 1163 days (3 years, 2 months, 6 days)
• Back to Earth – Series X: 1271 days (3 years, 5 months, 22 days)
• Series X-XI: 1414 days (3 years, 10 months, 14 days)
• Series VIII-IX: 3658 days (10 years, 5 days – a full year and 5 days longer than the amount of time stated to have passed in-universe! The undisputed king of gaps between series – hopefully never to be beaten.)

So yeah, found it interesting that new Red Dwarf has finally managed to burst that bubble, and thought if there was anyone out there who’d also find it interesting they’d probably be on G&T…! = P

Wonder how long we’ll have to wait for a potential Series XIII…?

Topic

[Moonlight]

The I to II gap is impressively short given they were made one after the other, not back to back like Series XI and XII. Though II was commissioned before I had aired, which is the only reason they were able to pull it off.

And probably the main reason the show ever lasted.

[CB3]

I also happen to love pointless, Red Dwarf-related minutiae, so great work ;)

The gap between VI and VII felt the longest for me, probably because I did a fair bit of growing up in the meantime and also because of having to wait for the resolution to that damn cliff-hanger!! After series VIII, my interest in Red Dwarf waned a little – well, quite a lot actually – so when it suddenly appeared again, it was a lovely, unexpected surprise (as was discovering online fandom at around the same time). It’s been interesting catching up on all that went on in those ‘lost’ years – makes me realise how lucky we are right now.

I remember there being a bit of a discussion on here last year as to the longest gap between the recording of an episode and its transmission – now we’ve got the XII dates, it seems it’s a tie between Siliconia and Timewave, with 629 days each. Another bit of pointless trivia for you!

[flanl3]

I’m disappointed I hadn’t thought of this myself.

Also, you refer to Back to Earth as Back to Earth once and IX another time. I tell you this because it’s really, really important. As in, so important there’s an entirely different universe where I missed the post button on my first tap and chose to delete this whole post instead, and am probably better off for it.

[flanl3]

Oh, crap, it’s called the submit button.

[Pete Part Three]

The 3 years, 2 months, 6 days between VI and VII seemed like an eternity at the time. The others I was around for, not so much.

[Jonsmad]

Series II following series I in the same year quickly also probably came about
because of series I being delayed and remounted after strike cancelation. This surely meant series I was late in yearly allocated budget money terms to some degree and the quick commission was possible into a return.

[McAleeCh]

Also, you refer to Back to Earth as Back to Earth once and IX another time. I tell you this because it’s really, really important.

Yes, noticed that but too late to correct it. Originally I’d written it out as “IX” in both instances, but changed it just before posting. Apparently I only remembered to change 50% of the instances in which it appeared! Oh well…

[Author]

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