Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace

There's one behind-the-scenes bit with Matt Berry as Todd Rivers where he slowly gets more and more angry about something that happened during the filming of Darkplace Hospital that is just genius, I can't remember specifics but he was so believable I had to stop the episode and make sure it wasn't Matt Barry himself complaining. He was just really in character.

Holness shows up in Matt Berry's "Toast of London" and he's very funny, he should have had a bigger career.

Matt Berry? Count me in!

But if we’re all basically Homos, shouldn’t we get along?

[quote] There's one behind-the-scenes bit with Matt Berry as Todd Rivers where he slowly gets more and more angry about something that happened during the filming of Darkplace.

Was it, “you and he were buddies, weren’t you?”. Todd winds himself up quite a bit about acting choices in that scene. Think I’m a bit in love with him.

A bizarre, hidden Brit com of its time. I feel like this came out around the era of Look Around You, I’m Alan Partridge, Peep Show, Nighty Nite, etc. Surreal and genius more than funny.

R5 Yes, one thing that always bothered me was how the overrated Fleabag ran on the coattails of the shows you mentioned, ten or even twenty years later. That wild era of “channel 4” British comedy was insane, looking back. So much genius. A lot of Fleabag was stolen from Julia Davis, it’s overall mood at least.

One of the funniest shows ever made.

From the show came one of my favorite Matt Berry songs.

The commentary tracks off the DVD are life-changing. Such subtle, clever character comedy, and amazingly I suspect much of it was improvised.

I loved all the 00s-era young “edgy” britcoms, but have to admit this was one I didn’t quite get. I need to re-watch!

R6 Fleabag robbed Julia Davis blind.

Surprising that most MIGHTY BOOSCH fans don’t know of it or champion it, considering it boasts rare precious early cameos from both Noel Fielding & Julian Barratt.

Wish it was streaming - I’d love to watch this again. It was brilliant

R13 some kind soul has uploaded most of the episodes free-to-watch on Vimeo (episode 01 at the link).

Much of what Garth says actually makes sense, in a roundabout way.

Not the racist or sexist bits, obviously. The rest of it. Insanely, a couple of his writing tips actually helped me get out of my own way in my fiction writing. He’s a nutter and a hack, but he’s right twice a day.

I need to rewatch this. I saw it as a teen when it first came out and enjoyed it, but I think now I would get a lot more of what it was referencing. Garth Marenghi is meant to be based on a particular author isn't he?

This was always a favourite part for me:

Fucking hilarious show. Usually I think a little Matt Barry goes a long way but I really like him in this. Surprising that Matthew Holness hasn't had a bigger career.

Some of the jokes are so specific that they went over my head the first time I saw the show. For instance I think Skipper the eye creature was inspired by a very cheap-looking alien in a Doctor Who episode I only saw later. And I had never seen Sapphire and Steel so I didn't get that reference in the psychic Liz episode.

Damn I want to rewatch now. Hopefully all the eps are still on YouTube.

[quote] Garth Marenghi is meant to be based on a particular author isn't he?

Maybe Dean Koontz? There are probably a lot of candidates for "Horror author who is successful despite being a mediocre writer (at best.)"

Did anyone used to watch Richard Ayoade's Travel Man series? I laughed way too hard in one episode when he casually referenced "flipping chicken".

I always giggle at the opening credits where the music goes from action inspired synths to twinkly piano as soon as Liz appears.

R19 over the years it’s been suggested that James Herbert, Guy N. Smith, William Friedkin, and of course Stephen King are some other schlock writers & directors on whom the character of Garth is based.

DARKPLACE itself is said to be a spoof on Lars Von Trier’s THE KINGDOM.

"I'd prefer a beer!"

I love Travel Man r20. This compilation of the worst foods makes me laugh harder than every time I watch it.

Haha, R24, it was a great show for sure. There is a compilation of all of Richard Ayoade's opening monologues from that show and it's so much fun to watch too.

"Hi. I've come to apply for the doctor's job. I can assure you my credentials are top notch. I've just graduated from Harvard College, Yale. I aced every semester and I got an A."

"Well, that sounds excellent. Our last doctor only just recently died in horrific circumstances. Can you start immediately?"