The Science of Success
The First Three Million Years is a ratings hit, and there is still plenty more to come.
14 August, 2020
Regular readers of this site will be familiar with Red Dwarf's success in the ratings; and we are happy to report that Red Dwarf: The First Three Million Years is no exception. Episode one brought in 369,000 individual viewers overnight. That amounts to a 2.4% share of all commercial viewings at that time. It is also the second highest overnight figure for a new show launching on Dave this year, having only been beaten by - you guessed it - The Promised Land. With consolidated figures already edging close to 500,000 at the time of writing, as you can imagine we're all very pleased.
And we're not even finished yet.
After just two weeks, we have seen in-depth coverage of the scripting process, the casting, the strikes that almost ended the show, the costumes, the music, and the models. And that's before we've even mentioned the smeg ups, deleted scenes, behind the scenes footage, and brand-new interviews. You could be forgiven for thinking that we've heard all there is to say about the small rouge one; but there is one thing still left to cover - the science. Fortunately, UKTV have kindly provided their synopsis for episode three:
Playing Pool with Planets analyses the real and invented science that has marked out Red Dwarf as truly unique for over thirty years.
With the help of TV science boffin Dallas Campbell, writer Doug Naylor, and Boys from the Dwarf Craig Charles, Robert Llewellyn, Chris Barrie, and Danny John-Jules, we look back at some of the head-spinningly complex, yet hilarious scientific plots, props and conceits fermented on board - including human 3D printers, Talkie Toaster, virtual reality and proto-Alexas.
We look in detail at one of the cleverest and funniest episodes, Backwards, and how, technically, such a concept is actually possible. Also, for the first time on television, we play Arthur Smith's rant FORWARDS, to reveal what he was really saying.
We get exclusive access to the set of the most recent special, The Promised Land, and talk to the main cast about just how special Red Dwarf has been to them.
So, if you want to find out the difference between a white hole and a time hole, or you just want to learn how to extract your own head from the waste disposal unit, then there is only one place to be. Red Dwarf: The First Three Million Years concludes at 9pm, Thursday the 20th of August, only on Dave.
Here's to the next three million years.
If you missed the first two episodes of Red Dwarf: The First Three Million Years, they are both available to stream now on UKTV Play.
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