If anyone is interested there is a brilliant book by Neil Gaiman called Don't Panic, which is all about the writing and production of H2G2. All abut the rows and the missed deadlines, the theatre productions etc. Great book.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Radio) Page 2
I agree that the original first two series were the best, with a great cast. Also, it's interesting that Douglas Adams (renowmned for writers' block) wrote each episode week-by-week, i.e. had a deadline of one week pre-recording on the next episode. Considering this produced probably his funniest, inspired and original writing, having a deadline can obviously focus the mind greatly (sometimes)?
Quote: jdubya @ September 2 2008, 3:19 PM BSTIf anyone is interested there is a brilliant book by Neil Gaiman called Don't Panic, which is all about the writing and production of H2G2. All abut the rows and the missed deadlines, the theatre productions etc. Great book.
I agree jdubya, DONT PANIC is an excellent book on the subject of Douglas Adams and H2G2 and I have read it numerous times.
For the DNA fan I would also recommened The Salmon of Doubt and the biography by Nick Webb, Wish You Were Here.
Def.
Quote: john lucas 101 @ September 2 2008, 2:57 PM BSTSeries 3, 4 and 5 of the radio show were only produced within the last few years, way after the books and also after Douglas Adams died.
Didn't Adams play Agrajag in the third series?
Quote: Deferenz @ September 2 2008, 3:47 PM BSTDONT PANIC is an excellent book on the subject of Douglas Adams and H2G2 and I have read it numerous times.
For the DNA fan I would also recommened The Salmon of Doubt
Gaiman's Don't Panic is good, but The Salmon of Doubt is really only for completists.
One of Adams best and most neglected books is Last Chance To See about endangered species. The book is aptly titled - one chapter concerns the Xangtze River Dolphin, the Baiji, which has recently been declared extinct.
If you want to know more about the radio series, you can read the BCG article at https://www.comedy.co.uk/radio/hitchhikers_guide_to_the_galax/
Quote: Timbo @ September 2 2008, 7:49 PM BSTGaiman's Don't Panic is good, but The Salmon of Doubt is really only for completists.
I know what you mean here. I think that you may have to be a fan of the man himself to fully get the best of this book. That actual premise for the Salmon of Doubt novel was both simple and brilliant.
Quote: Timbo @ September 2 2008, 7:49 PM BSTOne of Adams best and most neglected books is Last Chance To See about endangered species.
I have heard this said too. I currently have it sitting on my bookshelf awaiting it's turn to be read. It is currently fourth after; Catch 22, My Booky Wook, and the biography of Roy Chubby Brown.
Def.
Quote: Griff @ September 3 2008, 9:50 AM BSTWell you can save time by binning the Chubby Brown.
Not a fan of biographies then!
Quote: Griff @ September 3 2008, 9:50 AM BSTWell you can save time by binning My Booky Wook straight off, closely followed by the Chubby Brown. Catch-22 is great though.
I am having trouble getting into Catch 22. I have heard elsewhere that you need to percevere with the opening sections before the book hits its stride. Is this true? I am definately finding the opening few chapters quite a trawl. I am staying with it because I've heard what a great book it is.
Regarding Chubby Brown, in his off stage interviews he has always come across as a nice guy. Hence I thought his book was worth a read. As for Russell Brand, I like his kind of humour at the moment. whether this will stand the test of time I'm not sure. Mrs Def has read My Booky Wook and said that it actually makes him look like a tosser as opposed to a nice guy.
Def.
Quote: Griff @ September 3 2008, 10:01 AM BSTJust not biographies of retards.
You'll have to qualify that accusation (elsewhere, because it's off-topic here).
Quote: Deferenz @ September 3 2008, 10:03 AM BSTI am having trouble getting into Catch 22. I have heard elsewhere that you need to percevere with the opening sections before the book hits its stride. Is this true? I am definately finding the opening few chapters quite a trawl. I am staying with it because I've heard what a great book it is.
Regarding Chubby Brown, in his off stage interviews he has always come across as a nice guy. Hence I thought his book was worth a read. As for Russell Brand, I like his kind of humour at the moment. whether this will stand the test of time I'm not sure. Mrs Def has read My Booky Wook and said that it actually makes him look like a tosser as opposed to a nice guy.
Def.
I don't really remember but I think Milo comes in about page 150 or so and then it just explodes.
Hotel New Hampshire may get you more into his style.
Quote: Timbo @ September 2 2008, 7:49 PM BSTDidn't Adams play Agrajag in the third series?
I believe he did, yes. Think they possibly got his performance from the talking book version, but I could be completely very wrong about that,
Quote: Griff @ September 3 2008, 10:05 AM BSTIt's decades since I read Catch-22 so I can't remember whether I liked the intro or not. I just remember the book made a huge impression on me and it was "my favourite book ever" for at least a fortnight.
One of the few books I have ever bothered to re-read. And I enjoyed it as much the second time. Definitely stick with it.
Quote: sootyj @ September 3 2008, 10:08 AM BSTHotel New Hampshire may get you more into his style.
Or then again being by John Irving it might not.
Quote: sootyj @ September 3 2008, 10:08 AM BSTHotel New Hampshire may get you more into his style.
Wasn't that written by John Irving?
It took me a while to get into Catch 22, after a while the constant bouncing between events suddenly starts to make sense and you can organise it into a story. I think it either settles down a bit or somethin just clicks; but if you can stay with it it's well worth it.
The controversal sixth H2G2 book, And Another Thing... is to be read on Radio 4's Book at Bedtime.
Book At Bedtime – And Another Thing... Ep 1/10
New series
Monday 12 to Friday 16 October
10.45-11.00pm BBC RADIO 4The international multimedia phenomenon that is Douglas Adams's The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy needs little introduction. From its beginnings as a Radio 4 series to the novels, TV, film and stage adaptations and computer games that followed in its wake, the adventures of Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Zaphod Beeblebrox and Trillian are loved by legions of fans.
Eight years after the tragically early death of its creator, Douglas Adams, his widow Jane Belson sanctioned a sixth novel in the Hitchhiker's series to be written by the international bestselling children's writer Eoin Colfer, author of the Artemis Fowl novels.
Colfer, a fan of the Hitchhiker's series since his schooldays, has now written the sixth book, And Another Thing..., continuing the series where Adams left off.
Abridged by Penny Leicester, Colfer's eagerly anticipated sixth instalment in the series sees Hitchhiker's return to Radio 4 once again.
Reader/Stephen Mangan with Peter Serafinowicz, Producer/Heather Larmour
http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/radio/2009/wk41/mon.shtml#mon_radio4
Quote: Ian Wolf @ September 25 2009, 1:58 PM BSTThe controversal sixth H2G2 book...
Controversial is right. A sixth novel, that nobody either asked for or expected.
A purely commercial act. Nothing to do with art, at all. Totally shameful venture.