Smegtastic
Sunday, April 10, 2011 at 12:00PM 
Many many years ago when sitting around the rehearsal rooms, the cast of Red Dwarf used to joke about still doing the series in 20 years time. We dubbed in ‘Dad’s Army in Space’ and did old men acting as we blocked out a scene.
That was 22 years ago, I’m sure none of us was serious, of course we still won’t be making the series in 2012. That’s the future, we’ll all be wearing rocket pants and eating food that’s just pills.
Well, now the news is finally official.
It’s been stewing around for a while, Craig sort of let Starbug out of the black hole a couple of months ago on a local radio station, strangely what he said was picked up by the press.
My lovely twitter followers picked up on that and my tweet stream became a raging torrent.
So I thought I’d ‘help’ by explaining things and posting what I knew here. Oh deary me how that made everything worse. There were lots of phone calls, lots of stress behind the scenes. I took my post down and just didn’t say anything.
So, now Doug Naylor has made an official announcement at this years Red dwarf convention in Birmingham here’s the news as I know it.
In November this year we start to record a new series of 6 episodes, presently titled Red Dwarf X. I’m not sure of the Broadcast dates but we finish recording them in early February 2012.
I don't know if this is going to be a prequel to the three specials we made in 2009, or the follow on, or if Kryten will have a new turbo boost for his groinal attachment, or if it takes place on the ship, or Starbug, or if the Skutters will have speaking parts or even indeed, if Rimmer will be any less of a smeghead. All this is to come.
I know for certain that Craig, Chris, Danny and myself are all in the series. I do not know if any other characters will be appearing. I do know that Doug has barely started writing the scripts, so, although I didn’t hear what he said at the recent Red Dwarf convention he probably doesn’t know either.
I do know that the new series will be recorded in front of an audience, we have hired an enormous studio but as yet I have no details as to how, or where tickets will be available from.
Many people have asked why we are doing the series for Dave and not the BBC. Again I don’t know the full story but for one thing the company behind Dave, UKTV (they also broadcast Carpool) is part owned by the BBC so the series is almost made by the BBC.
When the specials we made in 2009 were broadcast on Dave, the ratings showed that it didn’t really matter, more people watched Red Dwarf on first showing than watched BBC2 – 3 and 4 combined. Red Dwarf holds the record for the most watched non-terrestrial broadcast ever, or something. Doug will undoubtedly correct me. Anyway, it did very well.
All this aside, what has just hit me personally in the last few weeks since I’ve known the shows were confirmed is that I have to go under rubber again. Everything about working on Red Dwarf is a treat, amazing scripts, great crew, wonderful cast, but I admit I am not looking forward to the rubber.
Anyway, as soon as I have more news, I will post it here.
This rather distressing image is what happens to old novelty condom head at the end of a long day.
"Oooh, sir, that looks most uncomfortable!"
Reader Comments (28)
Very good news! Looking forward to the epic return of Red Dwarf! Quite apparent that the 2009 special on Dave sparked significant reinterest in Red Dwarf.... not just amongst existing fans, but a new generation who (at first) doubtless whined when their parents forced them to sit in front of the TV to watch a more-than-twenty year old series' revival.
Thanks for the announcement, Robert!
That is a great picture lol. Am looking forward to seeing it, and hopefully applying for tickets to be in the audience (it HAS to be in front of an audience its supposed to be a sitcom for smegs sake). Doesn't matter if its on Dave or Groovy Funky Channel 27 :).
Red Dwarf X. Sounds like the "adult" version: Lets hope Doug hasn't lost Chloe Annett's phone number.
Yee-eessss! Smeggin' brutal!!!!!
Oh boy is this wonderful!
Wow, can't even begin to tell you what happy news this is. I'm so glad it's going ahead. Because it's so important, I'd begun worrying that perhaps the reason everyone stopped mentioning it, was that it wasn't definite and had been scrapped or somethin'. SO GLAD it's not that.
Thank you, thank you, O merciful Gods of The Dwarf. Time at last for another beautiful series. It is the best programme, ever. Literally, actually. The. Best.
I will be prodding people again. I'm "Red Dwarf is in my veins" boy, remember? :o) "Brought up in that ships corridors yada yada..." (Long and embarrassing post on the deleted entry, about how much RD means to me ^_^)
I will now go about my day with a smile upon my face.
Thank you for keeping us updated!
MTP
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The big question that I'm sure everyone is asking is: Will Rob Grant be involved? I kind of went off Red Dwarf when he stopped writing it and I know I'm not the only one.
The main question is are they going to finally tie up the lose end that was left at the end os series 8? Dying to know what happened
Let's hope it's better than the 2009 "specials"... I'm not going to hold my breath.
I, too, am looking forward to the return of Red Dwarf. But I want Grant involved as well. The show was at its best with both of them at the helm.
Excellent news. Looking forward to see what you come up with.
BTW, did anyone else just read that entire piece in Kryten's voice?
I'm X'ing my fingers for it being shot with an audience. Yes it makes the edit a little more difficult but it raises everyone's game.
Yeah! Nice one can't wait to see it !
Has to have Norman Lovett back as Holly or could be miss for me.
Thank you for the update Robert. I have to say (already tweeted it to you as well) it does matter to foreign viewers whether RD is on DAVE or the BBC. The Netherlands does receive BBC 1-4 but we have no knowledge about DAVE. Or is Dave only web based? I remember (maybe incorrectly) that you mentioned it being a TV channel as well. If RDX is going to be broadcast on TV, please try and opt for the BBC. I would surely appreciate it very much. Can't wait to see the new series!! And I would love it even more if I could watch it on the old fashioned telly.. Grtz from the NLDS
I constantly watch red dwarf back to back while playing eve online, it's heaven. And now a brand new series is coming thats fantastic news. I'm a good friend of Sergeant Presley, Clayton. I know that studio audiences make the whole secrecy thing awkward but I really thought back to reality could have done with some atmospheric laughter. Super news bobby :)
Gotta love the quotes from both Chris & Craig above
<quote> Will Rob Grant be involved we love him, it was better when they wrote together.. Bla...bla.. </quote>
Any way why didn't Messers Barrie & Charles just put in their surnames.
Glad to hear the RD X news though - smeg-tastic.
DN.
(or Matt) :-)
Tha's fan-smegging-tastic news :-) Good luck and have fun with the shooting ;-) And wearing a rubber just makes you a responsible adult after all ;-)
Red Dwarf X?
Is this one of those prize things?
Do you get a million dollars for sending a reusable comedy series into low earth orbit twice within a given time?
For those of us that grew up with Red Dwarf, this is great news... makes me feel 15 again! We appreciate the sacrifice Bobby!
Good to know that the skutters will be returning as well as the cargo of degenerate humanoids, cyborgoids and catoids as well. However....must add my voice to the above....Much better with Rob Grant than without....also better, more smegtastic (pop-pickers) with live....or at least sentient...audience!
Yours from somewhere near the Horsehead Nebula,
M
I'm glad. The only time I've ever been bothered about getting a celeb-ish-meeting thing was at Seattle's Swirly Thing Alert (I was the girl that brought the Red Stripe) and I've missed you all. :)
Any idea if us poor benighted souls in the colonies will be getting it? I live in Canada, and love Red Dwarf (my wife who's from Stoke can't stand it, but women, who can understand them).
At least yours is the only character that won't have to look 20 years older.
Wonderful news, you know the feeling when there is something missing in your sad little existence, Red Dwarf has been missing in my life,
How about David Tennent guest staring as a time travelling space man, he travels the universe in an American style fridge that is surprisingly cramped on the inside:)
I can't see Rimmer being less of a smeghead. It won't be the same otherwise.
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