Model Connections

Series VIII Titbits - by Andrew Ellard

5 August, 2005

We've spent a lot of time in this DVD production diary talking about Series VII, but, lest you think otherwise, Series VIII has not been neglected. Not by a long shot.

First the news that we've been asked about constantly since the show was broadcast - yes, BBC1's Red Dwarf edition of Comedy Connections will be included on the Series VIII release.

The half-hour documentary - which includes interviews with Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Robert Llewellyn, Danny John-Jules, Chloë Annett, Norman Lovett, Hattie Hayridge, Paul Jackson, Ed Bye, Rob Grant and Doug Naylor - covers the full gestation of the show, and includes rare archive footage from the careers of all the key players, including a poetic performance from Craig, a sitcom Robert is rather ashamed of, and yet more clips from Red Dwarf USA.

We're incredibly pleased that the full show could be cleared for use on DVD - if only for the great clips of the cast in their early days. Series VIII comes out in February 2006, but in the meantime you can read Mr Flibble's interview with the producer and director here.

Also on Series VIII will be Bill Pearson's self-made featurette Super Models. For those who don't know, Bill's the guy who blew Starbug up at the start of Series VIII - but his history on the show is actually far more involved, having worked with Mel Bibby on the production design, creating many of the more interactive set elements. (From Starbug's cockpit controls to Back to Reality's AR suite, Bill made them move... and Craig made them break.)

Bill was also responsible for the return of the skutters in Series VIII - and he's pulled one from the Grant Naylor storage locker and got it up and running for a cameo in his featurette. The piece also features a number of rare stills from Bill's own collection, with voiceover in his rich Glaswegian brogue. It's a real treat for FX and design buffs.

More DVD Details will follow soon...

The upcoming Red Dwarf DVD releases are as follows:

Region	Location	Series	Date
2	UK/Europe	VII	November 7, 2005
1	America	VII	February/March 2006
4	Australasia	VII	November 2005
2	UK/Europe	VIII	February 2006
1	America	VIII	February/March 2006
4	Australasia	VIII	February 2006