Individual Entry

 
Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace is a Garth Marenghi production (inassociationwithDeanLearner)

Constantly delayed and long overdue, Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace: The Complete Series (R2 UK) finally showed up today courtesy of a review copy from DVD Times.

Darkplace, for those who haven’t heard of it, is in my opinion one of the best TV shows in recent years. Originally aired on Channel 4 in January to February of 2004, it’s basically a parody of all sorts of bad horror and sci-fi movies and TV shows from the 80s. The framing device, however, is a series of interviews and introductions by its “creator”, the enigmatic Garth Marenghi (played by the show’s co-writer, Matthew Holness), which are intended to give the impression that Darkplace really is a show from the 1980s written by, directed by and starring a megalomaniac by the name of Garth Marenghi (who happens to sound a lot like film critic Mark Kermode). Of course, it’s all an elaborate scam, but it’s a jaw-droppingly convincing one, and contains more laugh out loud moments than any other TV show I’ve seen in the last few years. It’s aim, I suppose, is somewhat similar to that of Mystery Science Theater 3000, the difference being that Darkplace is actually funny, and instead of making fun of actual films, those responsible have created their own material.

Expect a review of this witty little number in the next week or so. I’m holding the check disc in my hand as we speak, so I can confirm that it’s actually coming out this time (it’s scheduled for release on October 16th).