RealBigOleDummy

[RealBigOleDummy]

Why is it assumed that this is the first time Rimmer “met” his double? He could have met/tested him before his introduction to the others. If so, you KNOW he couldn’t have NOT told his double about that. If for no other reason than to lord it over Lister. In the novel he did test all the ones from the Nova 5 before thinking of himself as a candidate. 

[RealBigOleDummy]

(Craig Charles singled out the tacky props for criticism, but surely the tackiness is the point?)

I distinctly remember the props being a major “win” with me actually. I mean …. its a mining ship, a working space dump truck for all intents and purposes. As such it would be as bare bones as any company piece of equipment. I remember thinking “what a nice touch” to show it that way. Over time the ship became more “luxurious” but I always liked the early series sense of working class/plebian “style”. The ONLY time the cheapness of the ship props ever made me groan was when Lister was ejecting the crews ashes. I mean…. a swinging door? Really? Anything would have been better lol. 

[RealBigOleDummy]

Very happy to see “Waiting for God” get a bit more love here than I’m used to seeing. Its one of my top 10 favorite episodes period. Can’t remember where I put it in the Pearl Poll tbh, SURE it was in the top 10 though. I laugh all through it, start to finish. Talkie here isn’t just totally a jerk too, which is nice. We got more nontoast speech from him here than usual.  (wasn’t he supposed to be red plastic/enamel instead of silver/chrome?) 
I see others here bringing up Rimmers speech about the Quagaars. To ME it was kind of cool seeing him being passionate about something. Thats a side of Rimmer we don’t often see.  Us knowing that its a garbage pod just makes it a lot funnier. 
The end credits “Its a smegging garbage pod” NEVER fails to make me laugh too lol. Hell, I’m laughing just thinking about it.
Confidence and Paranoia , while uneven is a solid episode imo. Also, its the first episode NOT in the books so …. take that for what its worth. 
Me2 …. well, as far as I can remember this was the first episode I ever saw. So, it holds a special place for me. Outstandingly funny. I was in thrall from the first few minutes. Only saw about half of it that first time but still , this episode started me on my Red Dwarf journey so I will be forever grateful for it and even NOW it stills holds up for me. I had to special order the DVD ($60!!!!!) when I first got it and it was and is worth every penny. 

Mentioned the books earlier. I’m in the middle of re-reading the Omnibus edition,again hehe. Has anyone but me noticed all the typos and mis-spelled words in it? Was there no proofreader at all? 

[RealBigOleDummy]

Well, as always anymore when I watch a series1/2/3 episode the first immediate thought is …. they’re so young! lol

I’ve always put “The End” pretty high on my lists, while slow in parts its funny start to finish. Meeting Dave and Rimmer pre and post stasis was/is a treat for me. Sets the dynamics for the whole of Red Dwarf. 

Future Echos I laughed more this time than I remember. Nice episode.

Balance of Power. So much potential….lol. Still, very funny.

Guess i should mention these two things also. The opening credits song/music. This is my favorite “version” of it and always puts a smile on my face.

Hollys introductions. Yeah, guess I may be the only one but I liked those short monologues. 

[RealBigOleDummy]

Got to say that you guys took an embarrassingly basic question from me and turned it into this entertaining thread. Well done :D 

[RealBigOleDummy]

*Blush*

Thank you all for answering. In my defense Ouroboros is not one of my favorite episodes so I guess I just never noticed him doing it. I “remember” the hands placing the box under the table but not Dave coming in. Will be watching that episode later tonight lol. 

This place is great btw and thank you again.

[RealBigOleDummy]

I personally found that a sharp edged, killer joke and I absolutely got the point.

I am really not sure. Perhaps someone can slice this one open for you to find the answer.
Hmmmm I am not sure I know the answer to this can anyone else take a stab at it?

Seems like the orphans from the Red Dwarf forum haven’t lost their oh so witty retorts. Why don’t you guys go back to your dead forum as I doubt very seriously that you can kill this place like you killed that one. (see I can do it too)

[RealBigOleDummy]

That was excellent! Thanks for sharing as I would have never found this on my own.

I must say, that’s some of the most gorgeous scenery I’ve ever seen. Beautiful countryside.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Thanks everyone for clearing that up for me. Guess I really SHOULD have guessed it was something like this i.e “Backwards” and the miles bit. I DID think of your “pints” believe it or not but really just figured it was more of a traditional kind of thing. 99.9 of everything we use over here is the Imperial but almost everything has both now. Singular exception is distance as far as Football (I know I know) and mileage is concerned. You can still spot a “100 miles/160.9 km” sign up on the Interstates but even those are fast disappearing.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Well, I’m in a definite minority here it seems as I really liked Casandra. My opinion on most of Red Dwarf may be a little skewed though I must admit. Series XI is the ONLY series I’ve watched “live” as it were, as it was broadcast the first time. Series 1 I saw for the first time a …. well, I caught a few episodes when it was shown on PBS (which is what made me a fan btw) and I special ordered it as that was the only way I could own it at the time ($60 too!) For XI I got BritBox for the duration. All other series I bought sight unseen and the majority of them before I even knew or looked for a website tbh. I still haven’t seen The Promised Land either. I will be ordering the DVD friday and am eagerly looking forward to it.

Anyway, my point being, not having ready access to 99.5% of Red Dwarf as “new” each series has been a treat to get and view when I was able. Yes, even the much hated series VIII and BTE are bits of joy in my life even now. As good as others? Definitely not, but being starved for RD for so long and being able to dine on its courses later than most and with far more time between servings I look at each as dessert I guess. Something sweet and looked forward to.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Didn’t really do a “review” much in my first comment as I didn’t want to be a “spoiler” but now that just about everyone who WANTS to see it has….. hehe

First, again, the trope mentioned by the OP was a beef I never connected to anything Dwarfish.

Second, I loved the movie! A worthy entry in the B & T universe? …. multiverse? … whatever you want to call it. It was especially nice seeing the original Death as well as Missy back for the third. The bit showing Rufus was kinda sad though. The “murderous” incompetent robot I liked better the second viewing much more than the first. On the whole a very good hour and a half of entertainment. As Bill says “we still got it!”

[RealBigOleDummy]

Series 3 – Backwards. Its only saving grace ,for me anyway, is the last scene with Cat in the bushes. Makes me laugh just thinking about it ;D. I used a screenshot of it as my Avatar for gaming for awhile actually.

Series 4 – DNA, but only the second half or so. Kryten’s bewilderment at being human is hilarious and the look on Daves face when he sees “the photograph” are just sublime imo.

Series 5 – Heresy to even suggest a “worst” episode of this series.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Just watched Bill and Ted’s newest movie a couple of days ago. I kinda have to agree with quinn _ drummer though. Its such an old concept I never associated it with “Out of Time” or Red Dwarf at all. Great little movie though.

[RealBigOleDummy]

I like the forum here just as it is tbh. Its easy to navigate. Its easy to find what I want. What more can you ask for? Well, lol, I see others asking for changes so I presume I’m easy to please ;D

[RealBigOleDummy]

Anything that doesn’t have Kochanski for me. Why even make it linear? I mean… a new novel could take us back to the earlier times in the crews saga. I’m sure there are adventures and/or plotlines worth reading about set in the timeframe of ….oh, say…. series 2-6. I mean, we “see” the dwarfers a day/week at a time so what happens the REST of the time? Now that “The Promised Land” is out and canon maybe a closer look at the Cats and their trials and tribulations from the early years. Actually…. lol… just about anything as I would buy and read it.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Well, some interesting picks so far I must say. As a US citizen I’m not real sure just what US shows and/or actors you guys may be familiar with but here’s my selections.

Lister – Dave Chappelle or possibly Matt LeBlanc
Rimmer – John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox on Scrubs)
Cat – Richard Pryor. He had the manic energy and the smartassness to pull it off
Kryton – Phil Silvers
Holly (male) – Bob Newhart
Holly (female) – Gracie Allen

Well, that was a bit easier than I thought it would be actually. My main hold up was Lister to be honest.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Seeing as how The Promised Land hasn’t been released yet for us yanks I haven’t seen the extras or the the episode yet for that matter. But reading the comments so far I can plainly see that I’m in a very small minority when I say …… NO! NO! NO! No more Kochanski! Please, she was and is nothing more than a sidebar to the main story imo. To ME at least she died with the crew… parallel universes/alternate timelines be damned. Let her memory rest in peace.

While not a “loose end” I would much rather see the boys revisit “Better than Life”. Either just re-do the whole thing but at an hour (with much better graphics) and conform more closely to the novel OR let them find another mail pod with Better than Life 2 inside. “New and improved! Easier to get out of” etc etc. Hell I’d rather they went back and found Butler again and work a story around that. He’s a “loose end” in a way. How about Dave’s “wife” the GELF? Anything but more Kochanski……………………………………..

[RealBigOleDummy]

Not sure if theres enough of us for a daily but maybe one a week? I’d be in.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Hmmm….. my unpopular opinions… most have already been covered actually but here goes.

I hated, well…. disliked immensely anyway…. Chloë Annett as Kochanski. She was always a stand in for me and was rarely funny To me bringing her in was by far the worst thing that has happened to Red Dwarf. She’s much too…. “classy” in her portrayal of Kristine. Claire was much more down to earth in her portrayal and much much closer to Daves …. social standing.

Marooned is an average episode at best.

Waiting for God is one of the better episodes period.

Tikka to Ride and Cured were puerile attempts to “shock/titillate” though both had a few laughs.

I never want to see the crew make it back to Earth and as such can only hope that an “ending” is never put on film. I always want to think of the crew as out there making someone laugh.

I didn’t think Pete was as bad as most make out either and BTE was pretty good.

There, my major differences with ….. most people. Oh, and I like Norman as Holly more than Hattie. Hattie was excellent mind you but to me Norman will ALWAYS be “Holly”.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Not as sure as some about some of the “specific targeting” of the U.S. I mean…… firstly how could anyone NOT know who Stan Laurel is? Esperanto is definitely NOT an “American thing” either. I know of nobody who even has heard of it tbh. Agree with Katydid about the movies fully. Those are all Classic cinema and anyone the world over who has access to movies in general will have at least heard of them and some of the plot/catchphrases.

At least one of the “American” leaning episodes fell totally flat too imo. Tikka to Ride especially at least in my case. I’m old enough to remember when JFK was killed and many here (I’m a U.S. citizen) can still remember the pain our country suffered through because of this. It remains a very divisive subject to this day. Tikka is consequently among my least favorite episodes and while I can count the viewings of most episodes in the hundreds if not higher I probably haven’t watched Tikka more than twice. Maybe 3 times. it just seemed in poor taste to me AND to everyone I’ve tried to turn on to the Dwarf.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Geez …. time for these lists already? Well, I guess so as my dear sweet Sister already has the damn xmas decorations up!!!

Full disclosure, I’m old as f*** and don’t do much these days except watch old movies and play games. Retired life DOES have a few upsides ;D

Games:

Number 1 with a bullet = The Witcher 3

2.= The Witcher 2 Assassins of Kings

3. Cuphead

TV. I don’t really watch tv but ….

Red Dwarf XII
Red Dwarf XI
Red Dwarf X
American Dad (pick a year)

Movies :

John Wick

Guardians of the Galaxy 1 and 2

John Wick 2

John Wick 3

Captain America Civil War

Comics :

Doomsday Clock (by a mile)

Books:

Extremely sorry to say that nothing I’ve read in the last 10 years has either stood the test of time or even been particularly memorable. Sorry state of affairs for Science Fiction imo.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Funnily enough both Me2 and Waiting for God were on my short list too. I only left out Me2 (in my list) because I already had so many Rimmer-centric episodes. Waiting for God is one of my favorite episodes, I can’t remember just where I had it in the Pearl poll but it was much higher than most people placed it. Which is the main reason I left it out tbh. Kudos to Mr. Bailey for mentioning Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers! The “scene” where Rimmer goes to the ….. cathouse ….. (I’m from the U.S. and that’s a euphemism for Brothel here) and that sheep comes out! Hilarious!

[RealBigOleDummy]

Why is Red Dwarf painted red everywhere but where the name is? I mean…….. a red spaceship is all fine and dandy but why have a huge splotch of white just so you can paint the name in red. A totally red ship with a white name would still be a red spaceship after all.

[RealBigOleDummy]

I just started binge watching the show again…… for the millionth time lol. Just finished series 1 and will starting on series 2 later on this evening. Me2 was always way up there in my favorite episodes, just so much going on and all of it great. Mr. Barrie gave a virtuoso performance indeed. But then ….. so did Mr. Charles ……

Anyway, as far as Cat crapping in the closet I always assumed that was just a “lets fuck with Rimmer” thing and not something he did as a matter of course.

[RealBigOleDummy]

More jokes. This is a sit com not a drama. I wouldn’t mind a new Science room and/or Drive/navigation room either tbh. I REALLY dis-liked the huge “alert” signs, thought they looked quite cheesy tbh. Except for keeping Kochanski far far away that’s about all I have.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Short answer , probably not. Now… a Star Trek crossover would be a different story ;D

[RealBigOleDummy]

Yeah…. me again. As an aside, why can’t I edit these replies? When I click on “edit” upper right it just sends me to a “reply” screen. I’m old so I may be missing something here. (best part of getting old lol, you can blame just about anything on age :D) (Yeah, I’m that old fuck mentioned in the Pearl Poll lol)

[RealBigOleDummy]

Found it. lol. And I was wrong. It was a story by Robert Heinlein “The Man Who Sold The Moon” published in 1950. Here’s a quick quote of the relevant passage ….. “That” was the two-inch disc; Harriman unpinned it and put it in his pocket. It was a celluloid advertising pin, in plain yellow; printed on it in black, almost covering it, was a simple 6+, the trademark of Moka-Coka’s only serious rival.
“No,” answered Harriman, “though I don’t blame you for being irritated. I see half the school kids in the country wearing these silly buttons. But I came to give you a friendly tip, not to annoy you.”
“What do you mean?”
“When I paused at your door that pin on my lapel was just the size-to you, standing at your desk-as the full Moon looks when you are standing in your garden, looking up at it. You didn’t have any trouble reading what was on the pin, did you? I know you didn’t; you yelled at me before either one of us stirred.”
“What about it?”
“How would you feel—and what would the effect be on your sales—if there was ‘six-plus’ written across the face of the Moon instead of just on a school kid’s sweater?” … and then he goes on to explain how he would do it.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Not to take anything away from Mr Naylor but Isaac Asimov was the first to use this particular ….. “idea”. To advertise “Moke” …… on the face of the moon. The threat was to secure funding for …. something , I really don’t recall atm. As also I can’t recall which particular story. Will research and get back with the information. This was a story published in late 50’s , early 60’s and so pre-dates both Mr. Naylors AND this terrible horrible idea.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Well, personally I’ve given up all hope for a series XIII. I’m across the pond and so slightly more out of
the loop than most of you, but I have heard not a single word that gave me hope for more episodes.
Reading through these comments hasn’t brightened my outlook either to be honest. What with the
BBC/Dave buyout/take over news (of which I’ve been entirely unaware) and the complete absence of
even a peep from Mr. John-Jules (only dwarfer I follow on Twitter) my original optimism is now
completely gone. Very very sad about that but….. what can you do? I still have all my DVD’s of the show and actually watched some of series 1 again this morning so the Boys from the Dwarf will always be making me laugh regardless. To me its all the more sad because I thought XI and XII were very good entries in the canon. Hell, I even think Timewave is better than most seem to think. (to me the absolute worst part of that episode involved the damn costumes! The guest star was brilliant imho)

Anyway, while you British MAY have an opportunity for some kind of “live show” involving the Dwarf and its crew, its completely out of the question for me and the rest of its American fans. So, in the last few months after lurking here to look for any good news, I have finally and completely given up even a shred of hope. Red Dwarf will never completely die, the shows we have are just too damn good for that to happen but as far as any new stuff goes……….. I’ve already paid my respects and cherish the memories.

[RealBigOleDummy]

The scene in “Legion” where they’re trying to knock out Rimmer. When he’s pounding his head into the wall while Kryten’s bopping him on the head has me laughing even as I write this.

The scene in “The End” with Captain Hollister “what’s in it for the cat?”.

[RealBigOleDummy]

Comedy in my opinion. Red Dwarf is first and foremost a sit-com and its light shines best in these circumstances. Drama has its place, but not on the Dwarf. I don’t mind a little social commentary from time to time but in the end, there’s literally millions of shows/sites/magazines etc. to cater to this. Comedy is special imo and it IS what brought most if not all of us to the show in the first place.

[Author]

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