It's not actually as crazy as it sounds. The fact that it is set in space and Lister is the last human and Cat is, well, a cat, really is only the back drop for a hilarious comedy show. It's really about how the main characters interact, and their quirky personalities. The acting is extremely good as well, so no matter how weird the characters are, they are always believable and completely unique.
However, I tried to introduce my boyfriend to it a while ago (the original series), and he didn't like it, so it's obviously not for everyone.
If you have never watched it, please be aware of the following:
- The set and production are cheap by today's standards, remember that the early series are from the 80s. It's really just a room with two bunk beds and a table, a few pieces of corridor and some random bits of engine and storage rooms.
- The humor is not exactly subtle. If you are put off by jokes about curries, beer and disgusting socks, it's probably not for you.
- There are lots of running rags that get repeated ad nauseam. I personally am the type of person who can laugh at every one of Rimmers misquoted space corps directives, but you might get bored.
- Continuity is not a word to be used in the same context as Red Dwarf. Some changes are deliberate, but mainly it's just the writers changing things to suit their new ideas.
In short, if you are looking for a good old fashioned laugh, it is the perfect show. But don't put to much thought into it. It is not Sherlock.
And finally, my favorite ever bit from RD:
Rimmer's good-bye speech before joining the crew of the holoship:
"And I know that, given the choice, I probably wouldn't have chosen you as friends.
But, I just want to say... that over the years I have come to regard you as... people... I met."
hypergreenfrog wrote:
