Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

Garth Marenghi's Darkplace-S1E1

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I wanted to like this series, as it really nails the aesthetic of low- budget 80s productions. The props are great, the acting and costuming is appropriately B movie, but that alone isn't enough to carry the series. If the same effort had been put into writing as was put into production, this could have been a classic series, but the writing's lacklustre. There are laughs to be had, but in some episodes they're few and far between. Everything feels tepid and safe. For a much tighter execution of the concept behind the series, Danger 5 series 2 is a much better way to spend one's viewing time. I'm surprised this has such a high rating.

Clearly trying to be funny from being a poorly made show. From the writing to the acting to the special effects they are all poor. If you are someone who finds thing like this kind of thing funny then you will enjoy this otherwise avoid.

I love British comedies and I love spoofs of 80s TV shows. But this seems to be neither a very funny comedy nor a successful parody. I think aesthetically they have the 80s style of a Glen Larson show down pat but that's where the joke ends (and it gets repeated over and over again). I think that satire works best when there is a certain seriousness and earnestness to the writing and the performances, that the characters aren't in on the joke. That doesn't seem like the case here. This just seemed like it was riding on the strength of how weird and wacky the 80s were for TV production and for bad writing and acting. One joke. But the show doesn't go further and becomes just as bad a show or worse than the ones that would have been cancelled in the 80s. I think they could have taken the aesthetic but had tighter, more comedic writing. I like Richard Ayoade and Matt Berry in IT Crowd who are mostly wasted in this show. No this show is not the best comedy since The Office, that award goes to Peep Show which is something I recommend people go and check out. Alternatively The Mighty Boosh or Spaced are miles ahead in creativity and humour.

I love British comedy, I grew up with British comedy, I still watch British comedy, be it old or new. Sadly, this is NOT British comedy. In fact, I venture to say it's not even comedy. More of a tragedy. Tragic that the powers that be actually let this one out of the can. I understand it's a spoof on various genres in a retro style, yet even the deliberateness of it all failed to deliver what I perceive to be humour. To be fair though, I have only just now watched the 1st episode, which aired today, 30 January 2006, in Australia - exactly 2 years and 1 day after it was released. I could have waited far longer to watch it. You can't fault the acting, production, quality, as it delivers what it sets out to do in that regard. But it fails in the comedy stakes as far as I'm concerned. Not funny, Jan.