Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy

[robbelg]

A new series of HHGTTG, Hexagonal Phase, is now available on BBC iPlayer


Rob

[bungeejumper]

I'm in two minds about this. The eighties version was so spot-on with its clunky technology that it just seemed so right. And that guide - well, it wouldn't have been very impressive in the age of the smartphone, would it? I'm afraid of bursting Douglas Adams's glorious bubble. I hardly dare to look.

Tell me one thing, though. Does the Vogon still look like Theresa May?

BJ

[robbelg]

Tell me one thing, though. Does the Vogon still look like Theresa May?

BJ

Sorry its radio only


Rob

[UncleEbenezer]

Sorry its[sic] radio only

Like the 1978 original. Before the nonsense set in.

And with surviving members of the original cast!

I listened to the first episode. Some amusing gags, but it has yet to convince me that it adds anything (unless you count a topical reference).

[AndyPandy]

Tell me one thing, though. Does the Vogon still look like Theresa May?
BJ

Sorry it's radio only
Rob

Pictures are always better on the radio, you know that. So, yes. Or no. YMMV.

I listened to the first episode and, tbh, the first 20 minutes were just a jumble. No plot, just forced means of introducing all the characters one by one and John Lloyd overdoing the narration. Douglas Adams managed to introduce everyone as and when needed, there was no need for the overlaborious contrived introductions.

Picked up a bit in the last 10 minutes or so but probably not enough for me to listen to the rest. I'd rather keep my 40 year old memories with the original voices intact.

Now, where did I put that boxed set...

[Charlottesquare]

Tell me one thing, though. Does the Vogon still look like Theresa May?
BJ

Sorry it's radio only
Rob

Pictures are always better on the radio, you know that. So, yes. Or no. YMMV.

I listened to the first episode and, tbh, the first 20 minutes were just a jumble. No plot, just forced means of introducing all the characters one by one and John Lloyd overdoing the narration. Douglas Adams managed to introduce everyone as and when needed, there was no need for the overlaborious contrived introductions.

Picked up a bit in the last 10 minutes or so but probably not enough for me to listen to the rest. I'd rather keep my 40 year old memories with the original voices intact.

Now, where did I put that boxed set...

Whilst I did find it clunky I think the criticism re character introduction is slightly unfair.

In the original series characters could be introduced on their first entry stage left, with the new show that cannot work, Ford, Trillian, Arthur, Random , Zaphod et al cannot do scenes to be introduced to one another as they all already know one another, so for the listener who does not know the characters such introductions are necessary. One either gets them all dealt with episode one or drags out extra added bits each time an existing character pops up, frankly getting them mainly out of the way hopefully will allow future episodes to flow much better.

[didds]

whilst of course R4 and "we" shouldn't reject any opportunity for new fans maybe this was an opportunity for a sort of trailer/prequel to the new series for new listeners to become au fait with the characters? Otherwise "old fans" will know all these characters anbd don;t "need" any introduction... in the same way the orig8ial series didn;t constantly remind everyone of who everybody is.

??

whatever... looking forward to hearing Ep 1 on listen again today (been busy!)


didds