h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Can any of our American colleagues tell me if they have heard the original radio series of H2G2? What do you think?

This was my introduction to H2G2, I only heard one episode, the last, I was hooked and devastated, 'cause I had missed the rest.

I have since heard the repeats and aquired some tapes.

I would like to know if there are any CDs out there with the original series on?

Any way if you have not heard the Radio series I urge you to seek it out.

I've heard it. Repeatedly. Generally around 4:00 on a Sunday afternoon when I enter, as someone once called it, "The Long, Dark Tea-Time of the Soul." I pop in my tapes (which I aquired from another American researcher, Cambium) and listen to the whole blasted thing, all 12 episodes, just to break the monotony. Anyway...I think you can order some CDs on the 'net at http://www.bbcshop.com Look under "science-fiction."

Absofragginglutely, goddammit! Auntie Beeb flogs a boxed set of CDs, for which she'll relieve you of about 35 quid. Share and Enjoy!

I am sure that even the boxed CD's and Audio Tapes have bits from the original radio series cut out. One bit missing that comes to mind is when the Hart of Gold crew land on the legenary planet of Magrathere and leave the spaceship, Arthur Dent says something like, "I can't believe it! A whole new alien world, pitty it's such a dump" and Ford makes a comment about all the whale meat.

The missing lines you refer to were in the TV programme rather than the radio one. Though mostly the same - there were a few lines and scenes that didn't belong in both (e.g. on T.V. the crew escaped Hotblack Desiato's ship by using a teleport that was on board, on radio the hideous bugblatter beast or whatever was involved -I suppose it was just cheaper not to use this on T.V.).

Actually, in the radio series it wasn't even Hotblack's ship. It belonged to a member of a race (I forget the name at the moment, and I'm far too lazy to go look it up) which evolved at an alarming rate. It evolved into a carbon-copy of the ravenous bugblatter beast of Traal, ate all but Ford and Arthur (who, I believe, made it into the escape pod), and then later evolved into an escape pod, which was used by those it had eaten to leave the ship. Or something along those lines...

I'm not American, I'm afraid, but I must say that the H2G2 Radio Series could safely be labelled "REALLY GREAT". Which it is, I have it on tape and now the 'Primary Phase' on CD too. Which is nice.

try http://deathstar.ca
sometimes, you can get a stream of the old radio series.

Somewhere, I have the it on LP (yes, vinyl). The coolest thing was in the dead space at the end of the second side of the first disk, the Guide Voice said, "Arthur bruised his upper arm." backwards.

-N.

Considering the quality of the costume effects used throughout the TV series (witness Zaphod's second head, which was a bad rubber copy of his first head, and was permanently lolling to one side, as they neglected to give it any support structure) it can only be a good thing that the carbon copy of the bug-blatter beast of Traal was only ever visualised in our minds - the TV version would not have scared anyone.

So you're the sort of sad person who plays backwards stuff backwards to see what they say.

They did this is Red Dwarf - I have a full transcript of the text when the bartender argues with the gang in 'Backwards.'

They play the recording (forwards) of the bar scene and what's really said is hilarious.
It's on 'Smeg Outs'.

I didn't realise it had been officially released! I got a guide to the first 6? 7? series with the text. It also has full lyrics to 'Tongue-Tied'.

Has anyone seen Robbie Williams' 'It's only us' video? Parts are vaguely reminiscent of the Arnold Rimmer ride in Red Dwarf.