SkyAndSun

[SkyAndSun]

Why would they need to make an excuse? If they don’t want it they don’t want it.

[SkyAndSun]

Nick, those viewing figures are massive for a cable channel. It’s normal for shows to lose viewers like that. A steady audience of 1m for a cable show is, well, about the biggest audience ever under such circumstances, as the recent Dave press release says.

I would like to see a joint Dave/BBC production. That way they’d have the funds for a series.

[SkyAndSun]

It’s the same forum as the one online when each episode was broadcast.

[SkyAndSun]

No, when we found out Lister had found a path back to happiness and it was a sequel to the fan’s favourite episode ever.

[SkyAndSun]

Even if they’re smaller than the BBC, I love the fact that they’re really BACKING the show. Treating it with so much more respect than before – even down to little things like not talking over the closing credits.

[SkyAndSun]

BTE Part 3: 1.2m, according to http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=31912526#post31912526

He’s including figures from Dave +1; doing so means apparently 1.2m people watched on Saturday and 2.4m on Friday.

Surely these must be considered a success… wonder whether people tuned in for the Monday repeat

EDIT: without +1 BTE part 3 scored 1.02m viewers.

EDIT EDIT: digitalspy article (where it states RD beat new Sky1 Drama Skellig): http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a152504/sky1s-skellig-pulls-in-936000.html

[SkyAndSun]

Munchkins…

[SkyAndSun]

The only metafiction I’ve really liked was The Dark Tower series.

Actually, I enjoyed Muriel Spark’s first novel, The Comforters, too.

And Back To Earth.

I tried a Jasper Fford (after reading about him on this site) and found the ideas interesting but the book itself kind of unengaging. Maybe because the characters seemed rather one dimensional.

[SkyAndSun]

And I bet it moans if it’s not recast in the future.

[SkyAndSun]

Wasn’t needed, glad it wasn’t there.

If this was sitcom RD I’d have a different view.

[SkyAndSun]

I certainly think if there’s any more, it’s gotta happen soon. before the momentum, the interest inspired in broadcasters by BTE, slows.

[SkyAndSun]

STILL don’t get what the Creator thing, preventing them from speaking or acting out of character, has to do with joy.

[SkyAndSun]

OP – did your identical thread in the DigitalSpy forums not work out for you?

[SkyAndSun]

EVEN YOUR BRO??!?!

[SkyAndSun]

It’s in Rimmer’s character I think. But I’d have thought the others might have objected (as they did in, say, Waxworld). But maybe in the interests of time Doug chose not to show their reactions.

[SkyAndSun]

If this had been last night’s figure I think people would have be very pleased. I guess it’s about context – 2 million was epic so 1m pales in comparison.

Saturday on Easter weekend is also probably when the channels broadcast their best shows; I believe there’s less competition tonight so I reckon RD’ll go over 1m again.

[SkyAndSun]

It’s still very big. And this was expected, I think (though I’m not sure to what scale). Wonder what will happen tonight.

[SkyAndSun]

(not sure if this is a good or bad thing)

[SkyAndSun]

I can’t imagine how anyone could write a new series on their own. There’s a possibility Rob might come back – aside from that, I’m not sure how they’d deal with a new series.

I maintain that a more dramatic, longer episode format might be best, especially if Doug were at the helm – this BTE style definitely suits him.

Anyway, just rambling.

[SkyAndSun]

But I think longer episodes would suit the way Doug likes to write. Stcom style Doug Naylor Dwarf isn’t that good – see series VIII.

I think if there’s going to be more RD it needs to happen quickly, ride the momentum. And if it’s on TV I’d be in favour of longer, more dramatic episodes, as that’s where Doug seems to write best. That is, assuming Rob Grant doesn’t return.

[SkyAndSun]

There’s also a very positive review in the independent (or was it the guardian?).

[SkyAndSun]

It’s fantastic. I hope it stays high for tonight and tomorrow’s episode.

Will the BBC notice, though? For them 2 million isn’t that big, even though I’m sure you could times it by 4 if the shows were on the BBC.
And do we want the BBC to notice, given their shunning of the RD?

(I think yes – their money would make a difference and their audience would ensure the show’s future)

[SkyAndSun]

Digitalspy: http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=989531&page=25 (discussion as the episode airs starts around page 16, I think)

[SkyAndSun]

It’s curious how the BBC is showing this much interest, given the fact that they’re not broadcasting the shows. Not complaining, mind, but…

[SkyAndSun]

WRT ratings, take comfort from the fact that 8 million people watched series VIII. By all accounts BTE is (much?) better than that, even at its weakest.

[SkyAndSun]

The best BTE interview with the guys I’ve seen, basically because the interviewer seemed to know about his interviewees.

[SkyAndSun]

Spoiler free really and the guy apparently only saw the first 45 minutes of the thing. But he liked it.

[SkyAndSun]

Actually they’re on Radio Scotland now. Listen online….

[SkyAndSun]

I’ve set up my freeview box. However it hasn’t found Dave – a load of other channels work fine, though. Some brief research suggests I’m not picking up Mux C or something – anyone know what channel I should input when I search manually?

Either way I’ve found an online service that allows me to view Dave, so I’ll definitely be able to watch RD.

[SkyAndSun]

Thanks Andrew: apparently I’m covered, so all I need is the box and a cable. Tempted to just buy the cheapest, as I only want it to see RD really :)

[SkyAndSun]

Some need a SCART lead, it seems; looking around Google, there’s also a lot of choice. Can anyone recommend a good, cheap freeview box? My regular TV signal’s not great so I’m worried any box might not find Dave.

[SkyAndSun]

I think BTE should play to the writer’s strengths. If Doug’s strengths tend towards comedy drama more than sitcom, that is what he should write. He shouldn’t try to be Grant Naylor.

[SkyAndSun]

Edit

[SkyAndSun]

I have heard that the campaign is short – but there is far more optional content than GTA4. I’ve had the game since last Thursday and I’m about a quarter of the way through the campaign, if that. Things like tattooing people, ambulance driving, rampages, random pedestrians with missions, races and drug dealing have kept me busy.

[SkyAndSun]

GTA CTW is brilliant. And it’s so much better than GTA4 (haven’t tried the expansion), which for me sucked the fun out of the franchise.

[SkyAndSun]

Did he come to the forums insulting you guys?

(I’m new here)

[SkyAndSun]

Have to agree. They need Lister and Rimmer. Hopefully CC still wants to do it and he’s able to do it; assuming BTE is good and someone (Dave, BBC, someone else) wants to pay for more.

[SkyAndSun]

I was interested in his reluctance to return to RD until he read the scripts. Red Dwarf was of its time, etc. Wonder if that reluctance would affect a future series?

[SkyAndSun]

I guess I can see how someone might resent him turning down the opportunity on series IX and returning only when the projects he was more interested in didn’t work out. And the fact that those projects didn’t work out might not have helped his case for a new series, as well. Not saying I agree with these things, but still.

[SkyAndSun]

Yep, you’re right Andrew, and I know I’m looking for the most negative explanation (partly so it can be refuted :) ).

Replacing: because we know Chloe’s not in the show and the fact that she’s dead implies she’s left the regular cast as well. And now we have Big Suze appearing. (Jumping to) Conclusion: replacement.

Weakly written: because Kochanski is the only female to have previously joined the regular cast, and in my opinion was weakly written. Going by past experience a new character will have similar problems.

But you’re right, I’m jumping to conclusions. It could also be absolutely fantastic – and I hope it will be.

[SkyAndSun]

Initial impressions:

I didn’t like series VII and VIII. But Kochanski – dead? That seems a little unfair (unless Chloe told Doug she wanted to leave the show permanently) as I feel it was the quality of the scripts rather than the actress that let that character down. Worry: replacing weakly-written female character with another – the new hologram.

Rimmer’s aging explanation: that is quite funny. Although I hope the ‘utterly throwaway explanation’ thing isn’t used much at all. It was used to resolve the climax of series VI and I kind of felt it was saying, ‘I can’t come up with a decent way out of this cliffhanger.’

Sorry to be so negative; I am really looking forward to the specials, and hopefully a new series, regardless.

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