British Comedy Guide
British Comedy Guide
The cast of the radio series. Copyright: BBC / Above The Title Productions
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 1978 - 2018
  • 32 episodes (6 series)

A science fiction radio comedy series written by Douglas Adams that started off the H2G2 multi-media franchise phenomenon. Stars Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Peter Jones, William Franklyn, John Lloyd and more.

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All series

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Copyright: BBC / Above The Title Productions

The Primary Phase (1978)

This series, which started Arthur Dent's journey through the galaxy, saw the demolition of his planet to make way for a hyperspace bypass, an encounter with the most depressing robot in the universe and a spot of time travel. There is also the little matter of discovering the ultimate answer to life, the universe and everything.

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Copyright: BBC / Above The Title Productions

The Secondary Phase (1980)

The second series in the ever-growing 'trilogy' sees Zaphod Beeblebrox being put through the Total Perspective Vortex - the greatest torture a sentient being can face. Meanwhile Arthur discovers that there is a statue of himself on a planet which contains an entire archaeological layer of compressed shoes, and meets the rather odd man who apparently runs the universe.

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Image shows from L to R: Arthur Dent (Simon Jones), Ford Prefect (Geoffrey McGivern). Copyright: BBC / Above The Title Productions

The Tertiary Phase (2004)

Based on Douglas Adams's novel Life, The Universe And Everything, this 2004 series - overseen by Dirk Maggs - saw the return of Hitchhikers to the airwaves for a new series, 26 years after the originals were broadcast. Arthur and Ford, with the help of Slartibartfast try and prevent the galaxy from being destroyed by a xenophobic alien race who play a sport that Arthur is rather fond of. Arthur also meets an alien whom he apparently keeps accidentally killing.

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Image shows from L to R: Ford Prefect (Geoffrey McGivern), Arthur Dent (Simon Jones). Copyright: BBC / Above The Title Productions

The Quandary Phase (2005)

Based on So Long, And Thanks For All The Fish, this series sees Earth somehow popping back into existence. Arthur hitch-hikes his way back home, and just happens to fall in love with the woman on the passenger seat. Maybe all will be answered when they discover God's last message to his creation? This series also sees Marvin the Paranoid Android die - being 37 times older than the universe, no-one can say Marvin's life was too short.

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. Image shows from L to R: Ford Prefect (Geoffrey McGivern), Zarniwoop (Jonathan Pryce), Eddie (Roger Gregg). Copyright: BBC / Above The Title Productions

The Quintessential Phase (2005)

Adapted from Mostly Harmless. Ford is horrified to learn that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy offices have been taken over by the worst beings imaginable. Meanwhile Arthur, who now has a job making sandwiches, learns from Trillian that he is a father. Back on Earth, a woman who is almost identical to Trillian is visited by aliens from Earth's ten planet, known as 'Rupert'.

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