OK, it’s not quite the new film.
Actually thinking about it, this is likely to be far better than the film.
Anyway: experience the new radio series in digital surround-o-listen. Or, play the highly amusing but rock hard game online, with a whizzy new interface and bonnie picters.
24-Sep-04 at 5:35 pm | Permalink
If you play the game, don’t forget to feed the dog a sandwich. If you get stuck again just ask me okay? Glad to be of service.
29-Sep-04 at 10:02 am | Permalink
So I actually listened to the first episode last night. Verdict: excellent. And yes, infinitely more satisfying than the film is likely to be.
What I somehow didn’t immediately grasp is that this series doesn’t tread any old ground: the story is picked up at Life, the Universe and Everything, which for me contains the most memorable bits in the whole story.
The theme tune (actually by The Eagles, blimey) is respectfully rerecorded and instantly brings it all back.
With Peter Jones dead, the opening voice of the Guide is William Franklyn. Now that I think about it his voice is most familiar from adverts (possibly Crunchy Nut Corn Flakes). His comforting quality of non-panicked-ness is appropriate.
Other than that it’s largely the original radio cast. This means a non-descript Ford (I preferred TV’s David Dixon) and a stuffy mid-40s Trillian. Probably more appropriate than the squeaky one though I suppose.
Most importantly, the story is well adapted and the gags intact, funny and warmly familiar.
The only danger seems to be from over-enthusiastic effects engineers who twat about excessively with the dialogue (especially in the first few minutes). Oh and the broadband 5.1 surround version is extremely spiffy.
29-Sep-04 at 10:41 am | Permalink
I remembered finding a photo on tv.cream.org of DD in some lame Ferrero Rocher era advert, but it’s disappeared. I did find him mentioned on the Play for Today section, however. Some I remember – especially my favourites, “Nuts In May” and “Blue Remembered Hills” – the rest I just really wanted to see. The entire section is a goldmine of old idols, idols-to-be and unlikely teamings. Quote:
“Jumping Bean Bag – w Robin Chapman. The progress of a schoolboy rock band, led by David ‘Ford Prefect’ Dixon and featuring Denis Lawson, from an end-of-term play debut to real success, and the worries and mutual distrust it brings to the band members. With Robin Bailey and Linda Robson.