Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

I wasn't fully sure what to expect and nearly didn't watch it at all, that would have been a mistake. Three episodes in and I'm hooked and I'm slowly working on all my friends too as it would be a shame if this slipped by without getting the audience it deserves. I was a bit concerned after the first episode that the jokes would quickly wear a bit thin but this hasn't proved to be the case. I don't think it will be everyone's cup of tea but well worth trying because if it is you're in for one of the funnier half hours of television you'll see all week.

This is a comedy spoofing the best and worst of TV from the 1980's. Garth Marenghi is a horror writer who created a show during the 1980's so deep and meaningful that the networks banished it to storage. Now in 2004 the vaults have been opened unleashing it for the world to enjoy. By taking inspiration from classic shows including "Twin Peaks" and "The A Team" a fantastic show has been created. It centers on a Hospital where the docs carry guns and fight supernatural beings. The scripts are deliberately cheesy, the editing is poor and the acting is very wooden. But that is what makes it so funny. There are even those alwful end tags popular with American shows were the main characters laugh at some rubbish joke. If you lived during the 1980's you must see this!

I watched this show with trepidation expecting it to be another hit and miss, or even plain miss, of a mini-series. I was more then pleasantly suprised when the show proved not only to be hilarious but a much needed break from the vapid 'reality' shows that have come to expunge any palatability from our viewing pleasure. The 'bad acting', or 'showing the truth' as Garth puts it, is amazingly funny. This is especially true in the character of Garth's boss and the chef (The Office's Stephan Merchant). Overall, it can tend to be a bit tedious by the end but at the moment it is hysterical and I can't wait to see where they go from here.

A British TV series that managed to be really crappy, stupid, and genius all at the very same time. Garth Marenghi's Darkplace is an awesome concept of intentionally setting out to be a genuinely awful '80s Horror series with all the bad hallmarks of filmmaking and performances, yet also managing to mock itself with hilarious and bonkers moments almost non-stop. The series throughout the episodes also have small interview/documentary style scenes with the filmmakers and actors to add further context of what is going on behind the scenes and how the crew were feeling shooting specific scenes, leading to some pretty funny moments and insights.

Ironically, the real crew trying to find the film equipment that was used to record '80s media actually made the show more expensive, yet it still feels very authentic due to the execution. The DVD Bonus Footage/Commentary pushes this even further by keeping the actors in character. With only six 25 minute episodes, it zips by very quickly and I wish there was another season. On the other hand though, doing that might have tarnished its perfect track record, so keeping it short and sweet was probably for the best. It wasn't the biggest show ever even in the UK, but outside of that I don't know if many have heard of it. Give it a go when you can.

10/10

When The show 'Little Britain' ended, I felt that TV was lacking in any hilarious new comedies. Then I saw an advert for 'Garth Marenghi's Darkplace' so I decided to watch it.

Since then I've been hooked, I have never seen anything like this show before. It is truly amazing. This proves that you don't need clever scripts, great acting or impressive special effects.

Highlights for me include, Episode 4's bike chase, Episode 1's graveyard shootout and well, pretty much the entire show.

This show is pure comic genious.

I'll finish with a quote...

"She was like a candle in the wind ... unreliable"