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

My wife & I both thought there was a connection to the 1983 movie "A Christmas Story", mostly due to the POV of a child/adolescent, and especially the use of voice over:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

But I see no mention in the entry, I guess its just coincidence?

Unfortunately I can't find any evidence and as I've never seen it I can't comment about it.
SBE

OK, fair enough, so I did a Google and found some other folks who see a connection - note the first item:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094582/trivia

Hmm As far as I can see Marlens and Black don't mention being inspired by A Christmas Story, but the device of the voiceover is unusual so it could well have had something to do with TWY at least indirectly. Were the voiceovers similar in tone? I know A Christmas Story has never been shown over here in a primetime slot and its never been released on DVD but my interest is definitely piqued!
SBE

I recall the voiceover tone being similar, but I admit I'm way more familiar with the movie than the TV series. From an Amazon (US) reviewer of "A Christmas Story":

"Told from Ralphie's viewpoint, these are the Christmas reminiscences of an adult whose pre-teen Christmas wish is a [Red Ryder] BB-gun that adults discouraged with the phrase 'You'll shoot your eye out.'"

I suspect it has not been shown much in the UK due to the fact that it relies heavily on US-centric mid-century nostalgia. Has anyone in the UK ever heard of a Red Ryder BB gun? I'd gamble that virtually everyone I know in the US has - at least those "of a certain age" .

The UK reviewer at IMDB wants it shown anyway:

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085334/

Note BTW it's ranked #152 on the alltime 250 best at IMDB.