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At The Back => The Dressing Room => Topic started by: Catalyst77 on April 10, 2009, 09:35:05 PM

Title: Red Dwarf
Post by: Catalyst77 on April 10, 2009, 09:35:05 PM
Anyone catch the new red dwarf episode (for those old enough to remember the originals?)

Red dwarf was one of the best TV programs i remember when growing up, always the sort of thing that inflicted pain it was so funny

Can't belive how unbelivably aweful the new one was.

From someone who was mildly dissapointed with the last season (7) which must have been about 10 years ago, this was a complete disgrace.

Can't belive the writers could have got it so wrong; stupid sets terrible dialogue absolutely no story line, not even a whiff of an attempt at a joke.

Unfortunately i guess its of those things best left in the distant past (like a good van halen album) :x

Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Ian Price on April 10, 2009, 09:38:17 PM
I completely forgot this was on. Sounds like it was a good job i did! Personally I don't think it's ever a good idea to go back to something after all those years. I did like Red Dwarf a lot when I was growing up - maybe to maintain those memories I should stay away from the new one!

Script writers should really learn to quit whilst they are ahead. It worked for Fawlty Towers.
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Adam.M on April 10, 2009, 10:15:59 PM
It felt like Red Dwarf minus the humour and combined with a bad Dr Who episode

the biggest failing is the 3D cack, it just doesn't fit, it looks all wrong

I'll still watch the next episode though...
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: ailean on April 11, 2009, 07:29:50 AM
I deliberately chose not to watch, sounds like it was a good plan :)
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Philly Q on April 11, 2009, 09:15:28 AM
Personally I don't think it's ever a good idea to go back to something after all those years. I did like Red Dwarf a lot when I was growing up - maybe to maintain those memories I should stay away from the new one!

Script writers should really learn to quit whilst they are ahead. It worked for Fawlty Towers.

And The Office (and even Extras) - although I wonder if Mr Gervais will one day be tempted back if/when he has a "career reversal".

Most popular series go on far too long even when they're first shown (Only Fools and Flogging a Dead Horse, anyone?) so trying to bring them back from the dead is always a mistake.  Unless it's something like Dr Who, where you have the advantage of being able to completely re-cast and rejuvenate it (although I'm starting to have my doubts there...).

I was never a huge fan of Red Dwarf, it had its moments but the presence of Craig Charles always put me off a bit.  I didn't watch the new episode.

(I see there's a new series of Shooting Stars on the way too.  I thought the new episode they did recently was complete and utter cack, but a surprising number of people seemed to like it. )
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Ian Price on April 11, 2009, 09:30:57 AM
Personally I don't think it's ever a good idea to go back to something after all those years. I did like Red Dwarf a lot when I was growing up - maybe to maintain those memories I should stay away from the new one!

Script writers should really learn to quit whilst they are ahead. It worked for Fawlty Towers.

And The Office (and even Extras)

Forgot about those. There don't seem to be many that quite whilst they were ahead. It must be very difficult to wave goodbye to a cashcow!
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Dreichlift on April 11, 2009, 10:06:54 AM
I quite enjoyed the first episode, anything's better than the other rubbish that passes for british comedy these days. I'd happily watch the new Red Dwarf over Little Britain and Catherine Tate.

One thing I did notice though is that Dave Lister is now playing a Union Jack Encore, You'd think in all the time they spent looting other ships he'd find something better , of course there's always the posibility that way in the future Encore will be the most desirable classics ever to have been made. Sling out your '59 Gibsons and your '57 Fenders, the JHS website is where it's at! :D
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: MrBump on April 11, 2009, 10:42:48 AM

Can't belive the writers could have got it so wrong; stupid sets terrible dialogue absolutely no story line, not even a whiff of an attempt at a joke.


... hang on - that sounds COMPLETELY like Red Dwarf!!!

I didn't watch the last 2 series or so, but when I was a university it was compulsory viewing - so many of the early sets and gags STILL have a place in the comedy lexicon and banter of me and my mates.

Got this new one taped.  If it really is as bad as everyone is saying, I'll probably enjoy it!!!

 :D


Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: shobet on April 11, 2009, 11:56:52 AM
It was shitee, they should have stopped at series 5...
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Catalyst77 on April 11, 2009, 12:56:23 PM
It was shiteee, they should have stopped at series 5...

But then there never would have been gunmen of the apocolypse!
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: gwEm on April 11, 2009, 02:02:56 PM
was a big fan as a teenager up until end of series 6. too bad the new ones aren't up to scratch.
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: maverickf1jockey on April 11, 2009, 02:59:11 PM
I thought it was a brilliant re-imagining of the series personally (though the computer effects were cr@p, especially the Scutters)

I really liked the way that the laughter track was omitted, along with some attempts at drama early on (Craig Charles actually showing some quite good acting I thought (even though his monologue was ridiculous)), and I thought it made the programme seem fresh as opposed to a blatant fan service.

It was certainly a damn sight better than series 8.

It might just be that I've watched the death out of those 8 series and needed something different from the programme.
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: JDC on April 11, 2009, 07:20:48 PM
it needs some cheap and tacky plastic rubbish not cgi, I don't like this new seriousness without the jokes either
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Brow on April 11, 2009, 08:19:54 PM
I taped it last night as I had a gig and have watched it this afternoon.

It wasn't great, but I've seen a hell of a lot worse programmes come and go since the end of series 8.

To be honest, I think the lack of a laughter track killed it in a sense. On some of the older series DVDs they have options of showing extended episodes and they don't have laughter tracks and it makes those seem less funny too.

I'll still continue to watch and record the next 3 new episodes though  :lol:
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Catalyst77 on April 11, 2009, 09:03:51 PM
Well at least Kryton hasn't aged as bad as the rest of the them :lol:
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: maverickf1jockey on April 11, 2009, 09:51:21 PM
Second episode was a bit sporadic, mainly due to the plot being total arse.

I am missing Norman Lovett somewhat.
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Dreichlift on April 12, 2009, 10:06:04 AM
Second episode was a bit sporadic, mainly due to the plot being total arse.

I am missing Norman Lovett somewhat.

Yeah it's all getting a bit bizzare now, seems to be a little like Last Action Hero with all the "find the actors that play us" stuff, still I want the Starbug replica  :D
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Ted 'N' Leo on April 12, 2009, 03:08:26 PM
It wasn't great, but I've seen a hell of a lot worse programmes come and go since the end of series 8.

To be honest, I think the lack of a laughter track killed it in a sense. On some of the older series DVDs they have options of showing extended episodes and they don't have laughter tracks and it makes those seem less funny too.

Heartily agreed. I used to love watching Red Dwarf as a child, and well into my teens. Although when one of the main writers left, it sorta went tits up (can't remember which one left?). I also thought it seemed like it was trying quite hard to be Dr Who, but failing.

Also, CGI scutters! What was wrong with the originals!
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: maverickf1jockey on April 12, 2009, 03:22:26 PM
I tend to get very irritated by laughter tracks nowadays.

I think that without it you don't feel an obligation to laugh along with the audience and so some jokes fall flatter than they would otherwise whilst the best ones shine through more clearly.

The extended episodes were also cut to shite anyway.
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Brow on April 13, 2009, 08:11:32 PM
So what's the general consensus of this mini series then?

Overall I was disappointed, especially going by how much I love the earlier series, and wasn't entirely sure about all the Blade Runner references, but it did have a few funny bits  and am glad I watched it :)
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: maverickf1jockey on April 13, 2009, 09:29:15 PM
I reckon as a series of one-hour broadcasts, with a more interesting set of plotlines, it would have been a winner (10 mins of ads apiece buggered it for me).
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Ian Price on April 14, 2009, 12:30:56 AM
Just watched the first part. I enjoyed it more than I was expecting today - I think that's due to it receiving a fairly bad press on here, it doesn't compare to the first few series though.
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Dmoney on April 14, 2009, 12:39:58 AM
was that the first part on Dave with the female hologram appearing?
it was SOO weird to see old craig charles chubbed up.
i hope this never becomes a sci-fi version of last of the summer wine
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Lew on April 15, 2009, 02:10:54 AM
It... was... smeg
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Adam.M on April 15, 2009, 03:05:21 PM
Just watched the first part. I enjoyed it more than I was expecting today - I think that's due to it receiving a fairly bad press on here, it doesn't compare to the first few series though.

I have to agree, i went to watch episodes 2 and 3 without the expectations i had for the 1st and it was much better.
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: blue on April 16, 2009, 01:18:10 AM
just finished watching it.  it was ok.  i loved the first couple of series, and there were good bits here and there in the rest.  this was actually better, i think, than the last couple of series, and had similar production values.  i think people built up too much expectation.  i don't think they made a mess of it, it was fine, and while it wouldn't be the end of the world if that was it, i'd be happy enough to watch if they decide to make any more.

i quite enjoyed the bit on coronation street actually :)
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: Adam.M on April 16, 2009, 04:50:45 AM
just finished watching it.  it was ok.  i loved the first couple of series, and there were good bits here and there in the rest.  this was actually better, i think, than the last couple of series, and had similar production values.  i think people built up too much expectation.  i don't think they made a mess of it, it was fine, and while it wouldn't be the end of the world if that was it, i'd be happy enough to watch if they decide to make any more.

i quite enjoyed the bit on coronation street actually :)

I want them to make more!

I've been thinking about it and the first episode only really annoyed me because there was something missing and I just wasn't sure what - then I read about the laughter track and it all clicked, once I knew what it was I settled down and enjoyed it.

Does anyone know if they're making more?
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: sgmypod on April 16, 2009, 09:24:31 AM
Red drawf with bad Blade Runner addins
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: MDV on April 16, 2009, 08:52:07 PM
Well, I thought it was balls.

But I havent seen the originals in years, so I have only fond nostalgic memories from my early teens of it anyway.
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: MrBump on April 20, 2009, 09:09:21 PM
Watching it now.

Love the Blade Runner references!!!
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: MDV on April 21, 2009, 12:53:25 AM
Refferences? it was practically a remake.
Title: Re: Red Dwarf
Post by: MrBump on April 21, 2009, 10:10:29 AM
Well, maybe not QUITE as good...

Overall though, I thought it was pretty good.