Red Dwarf: The First Three Million Years

This was a good and very informative documentary about the making of the comedy TV shoe Red Dwarf.

It goes into the behind the scenes, casting and recording tbe show, it even talks about the problems they had making it - like a strike just before they began filming.

The interviewees are the main cast and fans talking about how it changed their life and celebs talking about it too.

Give it a watch

Full disclosure: I am the reddest dwarf. It's been with me since I was but a child, it's basically a surrogate member of my family.

In this three-parter for the "Dave" channel which has been holding the paddles and resuscitating the series every now and then for the last ten years or so now - it's clearly a bit of promotional fluff that was likely intended to accompany the very solid "Promised Land" special that was on earlier in the year but got delayed due to the pandemic. It starts out fairly chronologically but by episode two just reverts to a rather unstructured smorgasbord and settles into a warm but unprovocative festival of nostalgia.

So although there was no real new information for Dwarf fanatics such as myself and they lightly skip over more complex issues, it's a genuine pleasure to see old hands like Tony Hawk, David Ross & Norman Lovett pop up, there were some early archive clips I'd never seen and the round-table discussion with the four main cast is adorable. So it's three hours of a massive warm space blanket - and successfully reminded me in a very bleak time why I'm the reddest dwarf and why I will always be.

"Red Dwarf: The First Three Million Years" is a fascinating documentary series that explores the history of the beloved British sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf. Spanning three episodes, it covers the show's origins, behind-the-scenes struggles, and its lasting impact on sci-fi comedy. With interviews from cast, crew, and notable fans, it offers a nostalgic and insightful look at how the show evolved over decades.

The documentary excels in capturing the charm of Red Dwarf, offering fantastic anecdotes from Craig Charles, Chris Barrie, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, and co-creator Doug Naylor. Hearing about the challenges of early production, including BBC budget constraints and cast changes, adds depth to the story. The series also delves into how Red Dwarf managed to survive despite network cancellations, long hiatuses, and shifting production formats.

However, while enjoyable, it isn't flawless. The pacing sometimes feels rushed, especially when covering later series, and certain key moments in the show's history-like the failed American pilot-could have been explored in more depth. Additionally, while the documentary does a great job at celebrating the show, it leans heavily on nostalgia, occasionally glossing over some of the more controversial moments in the show's run.

Despite minor shortcomings, Red Dwarf: The First Three Million Years is a must-watch for long-time Red Dwarf fans. It balances humor with genuine appreciation for the series' legacy and offers plenty of behind-the-scenes content to keep viewers engaged. While it may not be the definitive Red Dwarf retrospective, it's a thoroughly entertaining trip down memory lane.

Final Score: 8/10 - A well-made, fun, and insightful documentary that could have gone even deeper.