Day one. (I'm not making a habit of this)
Monday, November 28, 2011 at 7:47PM There’s no way I am going to post every day during the recording of Red Dwarf X but I thought I’d just record the first day back on the show.
I’ve had a major flurry of questions on Twitter today, so to try and answer a few, here’s what I know.
We are making 6 new episodes to go out on Dave in 2012.
It’s very likely, if not definite, they will also be shown in the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand too.
All the original cast are appearing, Craig, Chris Danny and myself as Lister, Rimmer, Cat and Kryten.
Other casting and roles not yet known.
Each show is being recorded in front of a live audience at Shepperton Studios outside London.
There are no more tickets left, when the tickets were offered a couple of weeks back, they all went in less than 30 minutes.
Kryten is getting a brand new head.
So:-
We all gathered at Shepperton Studio’s today, had a read through of the first 2 scripts, had a look around the sets in the cavernous studio we’ll be working in for the next 9 weeks or so, had a bit of lunch, then worked through the first script in detail.
I only realised what a privilege it’s been to be involved in the show this afternoon, the combined knowledge and experience we all have with this show could not be created in any other way. We’ve all be doing it on and off for at least 22 years, Chris, Danny and Craig have been at it for nearly 24 years.
In that time we’ve not only got to know our own characters, we’ve got to know each other.
When I first worked on the show, Craig had a young son, but all the rest of the main cast were carefree and childless.
We are now all dads, Craig has two lovely daughters as well as his son, Chris two lovely sons and Danny and I have lovely sons and daughters. (we both have one of each)
When I first started Doug’s children were babies and toddlers, his eldest son is now an associate producer.
As we went through the script we were constantly referencing previous shows, some of which we recorded over 20 years ago, but as soon as we all get together the memories of the time we’ve spent together comes flooding back.
The pressure we are all under to get the shows done on time and within budget is not inconsiderable, most of this weight is being carried by Doug Naylor and Charles Armitage (writer/director and producer) but this is very much a family style production. No one wants to let the family down, we all want to do well, to make the show as best we possibly can.
The early signs are good, the anticipation of recording in front of an audience is at once terrifying and exhilarating.
I’m obviously not going to say anything about the storylines, no spoilers, but I can safely say they are seriously funny.
Reader Comments (11)
We're all behind you and the RD crew, Bobby!
Incidentally, don't know if you ever saw the cowboy video game 'Red Dead Redemption' but I drew this Krytie tribute last year:Click!
I watched the US version pilot episode and the interview with Doug on YouTube for the first time this week. Felt so much sympathy for all of you - what a frustrating time! Delighted you are all back together. Have been enjoying watching Danny in Death in Paradise - such a pleasure every time he comes on screen and his ice-cool delivery of lines - wonderful.
I posted a Youtube of TongueTied and then the one of The Rimmer Experience on Google+ and Facebook and had so many joyful responses.
Any chance of a song from Kryten in the pipeline?
*Goofy happy smile* (Still basking in that New Dwarf glow.)
Raeoowwr! It's so exciting! Thank you for sharing the first day back with us, Sir Bob :o)
Aww, what an eeeexxxtraaordinary, unique, *special* production Red Dwarf is. Lots of us have been (in a more distant “other side of the glass” capacity, granted :p) with and influenced by Dwarf through those years too! Ooo, it's like a massive, sprawling love-beast! What a wonderful thing. [Insert heart symbol, here. Ah! ♥]
A... new head? A NEW head? A brand new head! Well that's certainly intriguing, could mean any number of things! [Squeep!]
Holly... *wonder, wonder...*
“When I first started Doug’s children were babies and toddlers, his eldest son is now an associate producer. “ That's brill!
Spoilers be damned - just let us feel like we're there abd we'll be happy little Smeggers! :)
I am DELIGHTED Red Dwarf is back. About smegging time!!!
Aww I wanted a ticket...
I'm smegging happy it's back on too.!
So happy to hear you're recording in front of audiences again! It always adds something to any show - just wish I could have grabbed a ticket in time.
Looking foward to seeing the new show!
"All the original cast are appearing, Craig, Chris Danny and myself as Lister, Rimmer, Cat and Kryten."
Technically, the original cast was Craig, Chris, Danny and Norman.
(Sorry, just a nitpick)
So excited to hear about the new series of red dwarf.
As part of my education in comedy to my two children now aged 11 and 13 we have watched the entire 8 full series + the back on earth.....they immediatly 'got it' and loved it and dwarf quotes are commonplace in our household....I often get called a smeghead.....which is nice....
Good luck to all the dwarfers....I just know it's going to brilliant and thanks for the invaluable contribution you guys have made to my children's sense of humour developement ;-)
Is Kristine Kachanski going to feature?
Mate its about bloody time! missed you lot big time. Smeg heads!