It makes me sad for the special effects guy to keep apologizing for the limited capabilities of the time. The timing of Red Dwarf couldn't have been better and I appreciate the result of their efforts. It looked great for the time. People who worked hard should never apologize their past accomplishments.
As a Red Dwarf fan from the early 90's, I've bought the "complete" series a couple of times, on VHS and various DVD collections, yet hadn't seen this previously. Lots of good inside info on arguably the best series (season) of this show. Thanks for posting!
i love how you can tell craig isn't entirely acting when he's lister, seeing him so giddy with excitement just at 'i got to ride a horse' is such a lister thing to say, but I'm fairly sure he was genuine
@@xsm5525 Sort of. It has a lot fanservice moments, like Lister telling Rimmer they need him, it had some funny moments too. But the actors playing cats were just cringe, i could barely watch it. Except the King cat, that guy was good. A must for every fan though.
I actually think that the quality of VI was a noticable step down after V. Still a good season but II-V are Dwarf at it's absolutely best. Big drop with VII though, yes.
My step dad showed me this series when I was very young on PBS. Best thing I ever got out of him. I'd get to stay up late Saturday night and watch them and I've been in love with Red Dwarf ever since. Am 36 now and still re-watch them at least once a year. You guys inadvertently made my childhood so much better. I remember quoting it as young as 14. Like Cat's word for when you get your genitals caught in your zipper.
I call Series 5 the Rimmer series and series 6 the Lister series (even though Rimmer got his name in an episode title, Rimmerworld, arguably a spiritual sequel to Terraform meets Meltdown. Apart from that episode, Rimmer is generally more 'one of the team' in series 6, sarcastically bullish apart from the vulnerability of his hologrammatic stress problem, and he's paid attention to as an equal by the rest of the crew more often). Series 6 still greatly impresses me for striking just the right balance between humour and danger. It runs at breakneck speed, cramming in joke after joke. In some ways, it is a restating of what's been before though, particularly from series 4 and 5. I watch series 6 for the production values (I love that green table in Starbug. Kryten's head was great, lighting's moody but not murky) and one-liners. If I want some more depth, I go to another Red Dwarf series.
Big fan of Red Dwarf. I was quite young when it was on TV but I remember watching that ending and thinking...could that be it?! It was a long time before Red Dwarf came back! Sadly I don't think it's been as good since, overall but I'm still pleased it's around.
Do see a lot complaining about Red Dwarf losing quality after whatever Season (usually 7, 8, 9), but if that's the way they feel obv' up to them.. Personally can't fault any of them! The MORE the merrier, always found it consistent with the LOL's/Plots + revisiting any never tire compared with many other shows that don't come close to RD. ❤🔥
There was an opportunity missed when Rimmer finally got upgraded to hard light in 'Legion'. They could have explored that Rimmer had been using his hologram status as a way of covering up his lack of any practical skills but was now expected to do more because he COULD touch things again. Coulda been a nice little character progression arc for him and the show.
Series 6 was probably the last series with an "original" feel to the show. When they returned in 1997 with Series 7, they totally changed the tone and feel, more movie like, which started the rot
I rewatched the entire show recently and I agree completely, going from series 6 to 7 is very jarring in a terrible way. It makes me sad. I still think I can enjoy it but not at all like 1 - 6.
@@williamhall3933 Can you explain to me if Rimmer is a hologram, how would it be possible for him to put on weight? Rimmer is dead, and a hologram is just a light projection of him. In Legion, when he got his "hardlight" version, Legion said he could not come to harm. So how could he become obese?
Perhaps holly/Starbug's computer is programmed to reflect physical change in them such as age or weight. We see holo rimmer eating and excercising throughout the show so maybe just a extension of this over time. We know holo rimmer can change clothes as he wills so maybe this a choice to fit in with the historical elite they were being mates with. Who knows ?🤔
I had always hoped they would stumble on the cat ship that left Red Dwarf and sailed on to Fushal or a nearby planet. Where Lister would be recognized as the cat god Lister the Stupid. AND the episode would be called, "The Second Coming!"
I've always wondered about the episode Stasis Leak when future Lister married Kichansky, reflected in future echoes. Seems to me that would be a perfect loop to end the series
In my view still the best series by a million miles - the script felt so sharp with so many more laugh out loud jokes per scene than any other season. The diversity of each episode and stand alone stories stick out. It was series 6 that got me into Red Dwarf as a kid, and I remember being so disappointed watching when they re-ran the show from series 1, as series 1 and 2 in particular, as it felt like a pale imitation compared to season 6, almost like a different show entirely. I guess folk who followed it from the start may have a rose tinted glasses effect at how good it was from the outset, but as someone who jumped on the Red Dwarf bandwagon at series 6 and then watched the earlier seasons retrospectively I still think its the highlight of the entire show before or since. What has come since has been a bit patchy too, - I've watched every subsequent series willing it to be as good as this one but they've never quite hit the target....this was the high water mark for Red Dwarf in my book!
Ugh, Craig seems like such a bully. Chris, on the other hand seems like such a gentleman and a constant professional. He never bad mouths anyone and is always so cheerful and kind.
I find that very far from the truth. They are all incredibly close and have a good working relationship where they can all have a laugh with each other. Respect your opinion, but bully would be pretty far down the list of any words I'd use to describe Craig Charles.
15:50 C’mon, Howard… she wore a LOT less than that in more than one scene from Logan’s Run… 24:25 Look no further than Michael Kilgarriff between 1967 and 1985…
Did they do one of these documentaries for season 5? It's always been my favourite, even though looking back it's not necessarily got the funniest episodes in it. It feels much more cinematic than the other series
Pat and plonky. Two words I've not heard (or not heard used in that manner) before. I guess pat comes from patronising and means something like 'over explained'? And plonky means cliché? If anyone knows, please share. Thanks!
Seems to be a problem at time, with doing scripts a the very last second. Like, I know on the very last episode with season six. That the cast had to read the script on the monitors on the set. That's how bad it was. I don't understand why it was so bad then. Still a great season though. Also, I know some movie productions have rewrites, even when starting filming but they still had to green light the script to start production.
I think the official line if im remembering Rob and Doug's books correctly is that they are deep sleep booths. They don't stop time entirely, just slow it down, so if it is 90%, then youve had 20 years of hair and nail growth in 200 years.
@@steveritt that WAS proper stasis. Time frozen 100%, no hair growth, no ageing. I think it was in Last Human (Doug's book). Starbug didnt have stasis booths, just deep sleep units with 'temporary stasis seals '. Must have read that book about a jillion times as a kid.
I'm a Yank and a smeghead. "Red Dwarf" used to air on PBS here with its original cast. This American adaptation is a straight up travesty. While it seems like a good idea to bring a British sitcom concept to America on paper, and the good Lord knows there have been plenty with "Steptoe And Son" giving us "Sanford And Son," "Til Death Do Us Part" giving us "All In The Family," "Man About The House" > "Three's Company" and "The Office" giving us, well, "The Office," "Red Dwarf" clearly wasn't one of them. Making a Yank "Red Dwarf" would go over as swimmingly as making an American "Doctor Who." We've seen the original and love it. Trying to adopt it to our "tastes" was more condescending than anything. Also, based on the way American shows go, our net NBC would have milked this to death for 20 something episodes in one season unlike the modest 6 most British series get. "Red Dwarf USA" would have been a joke regardless.
One big reason was the loss of Rob Grant. The three year hiatus between the production of Series 6 and Series 7 saw Rob and Doug's friendship start to implode, and they split up by 1995. Doug was left on his own to write the majority of Series 7, and also his own ego and ideas were now not tempered by the presence of Rob Grant. Doug went on his own path.
It's on obsolete technology that was abandoned in the mid 21st century once it was discovered people were incapable of properly storing them in the correct boxes. Afterward humanity reverted to VHS
Can someone explain to me if Rimmer is a hologram, how would it be possible for him to put on weight? Rimmer is dead, and a hologram is just a light projection of him. In Legion, when he got his "hardlight" version, Legion said he could not come to harm. So how could he become obese?
I believe that Doug addressed this in a Twitter post or similar when someone asked about him getting older; Holly brought him back as a companion to keep Lister sane, and it would make sense long-term for Rimmer to appear to naturally age, as it would be very strange for Lister to still have Rimmer look in his 20s when he's an old man.
It makes me sad for the special effects guy to keep apologizing for the limited capabilities of the time. The timing of Red Dwarf couldn't have been better and I appreciate the result of their efforts. It looked great for the time. People who worked hard should never apologize their past accomplishments.
Who the litte prick that ruined one of the best model work on tv working in his mums basement?
The only problem that I would say that is the biggest one is to make models and effects real enough so they match the stage sets?
As a Red Dwarf fan from the early 90's, I've bought the "complete" series a couple of times, on VHS and various DVD collections, yet hadn't seen this previously. Lots of good inside info on arguably the best series (season) of this show. Thanks for posting!
You want to watch "Cant smeg wont smeg"
i love how you can tell craig isn't entirely acting when he's lister, seeing him so giddy with excitement just at 'i got to ride a horse' is such a lister thing to say, but I'm fairly sure he was genuine
The miniature work in Red Dwarf was incredible even to this day
thanks for this, I am a long time RD fan but I have never seen this stuff
Still well worth a watch even now, holds up very well better than a lot of stuff out these days
There is some good stuff these days. You’ve just got to find it.
Quite possibly the most hilarious and clever comedy on TV at the time.
First six seasons were unbelievably good. Does anyone sleep think the quality took a massive nosedive after Seaon VI?
Massive nose dive after 6, jumped the shark with 7 and 8 IMO but at least 7 is mostly watchable
Great return to form with 10, 11 & 12 though
Rob left, didn't he? Enough said.
I still haven't seen the "The Promised Land" yet, is it worth watching?
@@xsm5525 Sort of. It has a lot fanservice moments, like Lister telling Rimmer they need him, it had some funny moments too. But the actors playing cats were just cringe, i could barely watch it. Except the King cat, that guy was good. A must for every fan though.
I actually think that the quality of VI was a noticable step down after V.
Still a good season but II-V are Dwarf at it's absolutely best. Big drop with VII though, yes.
My step dad showed me this series when I was very young on PBS. Best thing I ever got out of him. I'd get to stay up late Saturday night and watch them and I've been in love with Red Dwarf ever since. Am 36 now and still re-watch them at least once a year. You guys inadvertently made my childhood so much better. I remember quoting it as young as 14. Like Cat's word for when you get your genitals caught in your zipper.
I would kill to meet these guys in person even though I'm not sure what I'd say.
Probably just have a beer and say thank you.
Just a classic series of Red Dwarf still watched to this day
I call Series 5 the Rimmer series and series 6 the Lister series (even though Rimmer got his name in an episode title, Rimmerworld, arguably a spiritual sequel to Terraform meets Meltdown. Apart from that episode, Rimmer is generally more 'one of the team' in series 6, sarcastically bullish apart from the vulnerability of his hologrammatic stress problem, and he's paid attention to as an equal by the rest of the crew more often). Series 6 still greatly impresses me for striking just the right balance between humour and danger. It runs at breakneck speed, cramming in joke after joke. In some ways, it is a restating of what's been before though, particularly from series 4 and 5. I watch series 6 for the production values (I love that green table in Starbug. Kryten's head was great, lighting's moody but not murky) and one-liners. If I want some more depth, I go to another Red Dwarf series.
Big fan of Red Dwarf. I was quite young when it was on TV but I remember watching that ending and thinking...could that be it?! It was a long time before Red Dwarf came back! Sadly I don't think it's been as good since, overall but I'm still pleased it's around.
bloody love red dwarf! these docus are so amazing!!!
Any chance you could upload the other series docs. Can only find series 1 2 and 6....cheers
Was just about to ask the same thing
I think this is like 20 years old now, isn't it. Series 6 was that long ago.
Its nearer 30 years old now mate.
@@JustChrisWillDoTa That is why Holly was so old in the last movie. Norman was 72. I feel like they need to consider ending the show.
Do see a lot complaining about Red Dwarf losing quality after whatever Season (usually 7, 8, 9), but if that's the way they feel obv' up to them.. Personally can't fault any of them! The MORE the merrier, always found it consistent with the LOL's/Plots + revisiting any never tire compared with many other shows that don't come close to RD. ❤🔥
"It gave me an ear infection" That's the most BBC producer-type thing I've ever heard
i thought the same, a loud noise gave him an infection. Imagine being at a party with that guy, you'd need the Samaritans on speed dial.
There was an opportunity missed when Rimmer finally got upgraded to hard light in 'Legion'.
They could have explored that Rimmer had been using his hologram status as a way of covering up his lack of any practical skills but was now expected to do more because he COULD touch things again.
Coulda been a nice little character progression arc for him and the show.
Series 6 was probably the last series with an "original" feel to the show. When they returned in 1997 with Series 7, they totally changed the tone and feel, more movie like, which started the rot
I rewatched the entire show recently and I agree completely, going from series 6 to 7 is very jarring in a terrible way. It makes me sad. I still think I can enjoy it but not at all like 1 - 6.
@@williamhall3933 Can you explain to me if Rimmer is a hologram, how would it be possible for him to put on weight? Rimmer is dead, and a hologram is just a light projection of him. In Legion, when he got his "hardlight" version, Legion said he could not come to harm. So how could he become obese?
Perhaps holly/Starbug's computer is programmed to reflect physical change in them such as age or weight. We see holo rimmer eating and excercising throughout the show so maybe just a extension of this over time. We know holo rimmer can change clothes as he wills so maybe this a choice to fit in with the historical elite they were being mates with.
Who knows ?🤔
@@williamhall3933 Thanks for that. I just had the thought today. How could a hologram put on weight. Great view point from you, thank you again.
Series 3-6 was the golden age of Red Dwarf
I had always hoped they would stumble on the cat ship that left Red Dwarf and sailed on to Fushal or a nearby planet. Where Lister would be recognized as the cat god Lister the Stupid. AND the episode would be called, "The Second Coming!"
I've always wondered about the episode Stasis Leak when future Lister married Kichansky, reflected in future echoes. Seems to me that would be a perfect loop to end the series
1:04:00 why red dwarf was crap without rob grant. He was the filter for doug's lame ideas
In my view still the best series by a million miles - the script felt so sharp with so many more laugh out loud jokes per scene than any other season. The diversity of each episode and stand alone stories stick out. It was series 6 that got me into Red Dwarf as a kid, and I remember being so disappointed watching when they re-ran the show from series 1, as series 1 and 2 in particular, as it felt like a pale imitation compared to season 6, almost like a different show entirely.
I guess folk who followed it from the start may have a rose tinted glasses effect at how good it was from the outset, but as someone who jumped on the Red Dwarf bandwagon at series 6 and then watched the earlier seasons retrospectively I still think its the highlight of the entire show before or since. What has come since has been a bit patchy too, - I've watched every subsequent series willing it to be as good as this one but they've never quite hit the target....this was the high water mark for Red Dwarf in my book!
The first series was put on just before 11pm, so I used to sit all by myself giggling
Dwayne Dibbly would have absolutely worked at at that time in television.
Ugh, Craig seems like such a bully. Chris, on the other hand seems like such a gentleman and a constant professional. He never bad mouths anyone and is always so cheerful and kind.
I find that very far from the truth. They are all incredibly close and have a good working relationship where they can all have a laugh with each other. Respect your opinion, but bully would be pretty far down the list of any words I'd use to describe Craig Charles.
I completely understand Chris being angry at Craigs irresponsible behaviour around the horses!! Poor horse too! 😳
boys of the dwarf
Easily the best series they made.
nah series 5 is the best
Boy, did I miss Red Dwarf when they stopped releasing episodes!
15:50 C’mon, Howard… she wore a LOT less than that in more than one scene from Logan’s Run…
24:25 Look no further than Michael Kilgarriff between 1967 and 1985…
Did they do one of these documentaries for season 5? It's always been my favourite, even though looking back it's not necessarily got the funniest episodes in it. It feels much more cinematic than the other series
Season 5 documentary is on here yes, just search for it
70 yr woman loves Red Dwarf...
Pat and plonky. Two words I've not heard (or not heard used in that manner) before. I guess pat comes from patronising and means something like 'over explained'? And plonky means cliché? If anyone knows, please share. Thanks!
Seems to be a problem at time, with doing scripts a the very last second. Like, I know on the very last episode with season six. That the cast had to read the script on the monitors on the set. That's how bad it was. I don't understand why it was so bad then. Still a great season though. Also, I know some movie productions have rewrites, even when starting filming but they still had to green light the script to start production.
Approaching Brian May of Queen for the guitar sfx for Red Dwarf; talk about bread and butter!
3:23 Fantasticly Hilarious!
you wouldn't get away with a joke like that now.
I like the thumbnail for this video...
How did his hair and nails grow in stasis ? Lol :-)
It's not 100% only about 90%
I think the official line if im remembering Rob and Doug's books correctly is that they are deep sleep booths. They don't stop time entirely, just slow it down, so if it is 90%, then youve had 20 years of hair and nail growth in 200 years.
He was in cryo sleep on the starbug, the stasis chambers were on red dwarf.
@@Chamber2020 Then what about 3 million years then?
@@steveritt that WAS proper stasis. Time frozen 100%, no hair growth, no ageing. I think it was in Last Human (Doug's book). Starbug didnt have stasis booths, just deep sleep units with 'temporary stasis seals '. Must have read that book about a jillion times as a kid.
Gelf talk the Welsh of the galaxy lol 😂
I'm a Yank and a smeghead. "Red Dwarf" used to air on PBS here with its original cast. This American adaptation is a straight up travesty. While it seems like a good idea to bring a British sitcom concept to America on paper, and the good Lord knows there have been plenty with "Steptoe And Son" giving us "Sanford And Son," "Til Death Do Us Part" giving us "All In The Family," "Man About The House" > "Three's Company" and "The Office" giving us, well, "The Office," "Red Dwarf" clearly wasn't one of them.
Making a Yank "Red Dwarf" would go over as swimmingly as making an American "Doctor Who." We've seen the original and love it. Trying to adopt it to our "tastes" was more condescending than anything. Also, based on the way American shows go, our net NBC would have milked this to death for 20 something episodes in one season unlike the modest 6 most British series get. "Red Dwarf USA" would have been a joke regardless.
It’s such a shame that Series 6 was the last good series. Series 7 was just awful
One big reason was the loss of Rob Grant. The three year hiatus between the production of Series 6 and Series 7 saw Rob and Doug's friendship start to implode, and they split up by 1995. Doug was left on his own to write the majority of Series 7, and also his own ego and ideas were now not tempered by the presence of Rob Grant. Doug went on his own path.
Whats a DVD
It's on obsolete technology that was abandoned in the mid 21st century once it was discovered people were incapable of properly storing them in the correct boxes. Afterward humanity reverted to VHS
Come on...16 thumbs down...bloody flat earthers....
13:56
"I didn't want it to look like an excuse to bring dwayne back" that's exactly what it looked like. crap idea
It did feel forced but I don't mind, given the audience reception it was done more as a fan service than anything else
They bring back Dwain Dibley, and Ace Rimmer for the fans because they love Them
Can someone explain to me if Rimmer is a hologram, how would it be possible for him to put on weight? Rimmer is dead, and a hologram is just a light projection of him. In Legion, when he got his "hardlight" version, Legion said he could not come to harm. So how could he become obese?
His file corrupts over time, and that manifests as weight gain, baldness, skin blemishes and so on
Accurate simulation :)
John King It’s rule of funny but lore wise I have no idea.
I read this at the time, apparently hologram files are supposed to be subjected to maintenance but they didnt bother.
I believe that Doug addressed this in a Twitter post or similar when someone asked about him getting older; Holly brought him back as a companion to keep Lister sane, and it would make sense long-term for Rimmer to appear to naturally age, as it would be very strange for Lister to still have Rimmer look in his 20s when he's an old man.
that producer guy seems like the opposite of fun.
donnd
The space-core directive gag was absolutely stolen from the The Simpsons bible references.
See whats the difference?!? :D