Complete Guide
Beyond a Joke
Series VII, Episode 6
Recorded: May-Aug 1996, Shepperton Studios
First Broadcast: 21.02.1997 (BBC 2)
VHS Release: 01.10.1999 (BBCV 6790)
DVD Release: 07.11.2005 (BBCDVD 1692)
Blu-ray Release: 14.01.2019 (BBCBD 0441)
Written by Robert Llewellyn & Doug Naylor
Directed by Ed Bye
Synopsis
Kochanski takes the crew into the Artificial Reality suite and transports them to Pride and Prejudice World hoping to educate them in the subtleties of this literary masterpiece. Dream on.
Cast
Craig Charles (Lister), Danny John-Jules (Cat), Robert Llewellyn (Kryten), Chloe Annett (Kochanski), Don Henderson (The Simulant), Vicky Ogden (Mrs. Bennet), Alina Proctor (Jane Bennet), Catherine Harvey (Kitty Bennet), Sophia Thierens (Lydia Bennet), Rebecca Katz (Mary Bennet), Julia Lloyd (Elizabeth Bennet)
Did You Know?
The original draft for this episode, the first to be co-written by a cast member (Robert Llewellyn), featured a return for Kryten's Northern-accented Spare Head 3, but this was ultimately shelved.
The tank used by Kryten to destroy the gazebo had made a rather famous appearance in the James Bond movie Goldeneye a couple of years previously.
The final curry-based scene back in Pride & Prejudice World was a late addition, after it was felt that the "he ain't heavy, he's my brother" gag was too much of a "groaner" to go out on!
This episode marked the final television appearance of character actor Don Henderson, who sadly passed away a few months after its broadcast.
