Written for http://buzz.bournemouth.ac.uk/
Includes minor spoilers.
This year marks a milestone for all fans of cult TV sit-com, Red Dwarf. Not only is it the 21st anniversary of the show, but a new three-part speacial - ‘Back to Earth’ - is airing tomorrow night.
So, what can we expect?
Well, most of the old crowd are back - Lister (Craig Charles), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), the Cat (Danny John-Jules) and Kryton (Robert Llewellyn) - as well as guest appearances from the likes of Peep Show’s Sophie Winkleman and Carry On actor Richard O’Callaghan.
Chris Barrie said on Dave’s website, “If I’m honest I would have to say that not having a studio audience was something of a disappointment. However, maybe this is a sacrifice worth making if we are to fully utilise the latest CGI technology and give the show a more filmic feel. One thing is for sure, Back to Earth will look absolutely stunning.”
The show, which will be aired on digital channel, Dave, looks like it’s going to be a typically surreal Dwarf outing - it sees the crew discover a dimension-jumping leviathan inside the ship’s water tank and will include a visit to Coronation Street. Rimmer also gains a new nemesis - another hologram called Katerina (Sophie Winkleman), who is determined to replace him.
Red Dwarf itself has has a make-over from Mark Harris, who has also designed sets for Star Wars and James Bond.
“Okay, so we’re all ten years older,” says Robert Llewellyn in his blog, ”we’ve all got kids, we all make grunting noises when we stand up except Danny because his body is some kind of machine which never ages.
“Other than that, the first days on the Back to Earth set were alarmingly familiar, just like we’d had a week off since series eight and were right back on the studio floor.”
So, will it live up to the expectations of millions of fans? We’ll just have to watch and find out.
Red Dwarf: Back to Earth will be on Dave at 2100 on April 10th, 11th and 12th. All episodes will be shown back-to -back on 13th April.
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