Bring Back Red Dwarf

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21 November, 2008

In one of those polls that comes out every so often in order that lots of people in the media are able to stay in work, Red Dwarf has placed fourth among shows that adults of a certain age would like to see revived. Which is handy, because it's already happening!

Bring Back Red Dwarf

Zed Media's survey of adults aged between 30 and 40 - because the opinions of those aged exactly 29 and 41 have been scientifically proved to be unimportant - led to the shocking revelation that people like the shows they grew up with. Here's the list:

1. The Muppet Show
2. The A-Team
3. Crackerjack
4. Red Dwarf
5. Dungeons and Dragons
6. Rainbow
7. The Wombles
8. Worzel Gummidge
9. Bewitched
10. The Addams Family

There are a lot of kids' shows on the list, yet it's probably fair to say that a majority of adults don't have the time/inclination to watch a lot of children's television. So is it that they want it revived, that they just recall it with massive affection, or that they'd like their own kids to be seeing these shows?

Far more importantly, you may recall this Radio Times poll from August - which saw Red Dwarf coming in at second place as the show most people would like to see made into a movie - and this one from 2007 showing Red Dwarf placing top of all-time favourite SF and Fantasy shows. If you'll excuse us a little bit of over-simplified analysis (and you've never complained before, so we assume you will), Red Dwarf places higher in polls when viewers of all ages are asked.

What does that mean? Well, it could suggest that Red Dwarf's fan-base is not - despite what many a clichéd journo would have you believe - simply those of a certain age who want their childhood show back. The enduring appeal of Red Dwarf goes well beyond nostalgia.

Repeats, videos and DVDs have pulled in newcomers every time - and the arrival of new shows on Dave next year will hopefully bring even more into the fold. So enough of this 'I used to love those charming wobbly sets and models' nonsense, begone you bizarre claims that people 'grow out' of BBC2's longest-running situation comedy. Embrace the simple truth: Red Dwarf is brilliant TV. For any generation.

Vent your collective spleen on our Forum.

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