"Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" (2004) TV series

User Rating:

9.2/10   

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

29 January 2004 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Horror

Tagline:

From the best-selling master of darkness

Plot:

This spoof TV series is an unearthed 80's horror TV show, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.

Plot Keywords:

Hospital | 1980s | Interview | Spoof | Black Comedy

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Matthew Holness	...	Dr. Rick Dagless M.D. / ... (6 episodes, 2004)
Matt Berry	...	Dr. Lucien Sanchez / ... (6 episodes, 2004)
Alice Lowe	...	Liz Asher / ... (6 episodes, 2004)
Richard Ayoade	...	Dean Learner / ... (6 episodes, 2004)
Julian Barratt	...	Padre (3 episodes, 2004)
Kim Noble	...	Jim (3 episodes, 2004)

Also Known As:

"Darkplace" (UK) (short title)

Runtime:

30 min (including commercials)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

UK:15 | Ireland:18

Filming Locations:

Romford, Essex, England, UK

Company:

Avalon Television

Trivia:

The series began in 2004 on the UK's Channel 4 network but after a mere six episodes the network canceled the show due to low ratings. However over the next few years the series gained a considerable cult following via word-of-mouth and the Internet. Renewed interest in the show led to it being released on DVD and subsequent airings in the US on the Sci-Fi and Adult Swim networks. Currently fans are petitioning for a second season of the show.

Quotes:

[repeated line]
Dr. Rick Dagless: My name is Doctor Rick Dagless, M.D.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Man to Man with Dean Learner: Randolph Caer (#1.6)" (2006)

A different, inventive and, most importantly, hilarious comedy. Shows there is still hope for TV.

Hospital horror Dark Place is the creation of awful writer Garth Marenghi (Matthew Holness), who wrote, directed and starred. He claims it is deep and inspirational, when in fact it is just shoddy and awful.

Darkplace isn't joke orientated, its the terrible production and acting that provides all the laughs, that mainly come from Garth's publisher, Dean Learner (Richard Ayocade) who plays the hospital boss Thornton Reed. His inability to do two things at once when it comes to acting (for example deliver a line and hang up a phone) is hilarious to watch.

Some of the highlights include a "dirt bike" chase through a forest (using tiny children's bicycles), a doctor being attacked by a steam iron and another being chased by a possessed stapler, a woman turning into broccoli and Dean Learner trying to justify how he punched a child actor. However, you have to see it to realize how funny it really is, my words can't do enough.

Darkplace won't appeal to everyone's tastes, but still it looks like it will probably be a cult hit. If its ever repeated, its worth a look just to see what you think. It provides a refreshing change from awful reality TV and soap operas.

I, for one, can't wait for the DVD and/or a second batch of episodes "from the Channel 4 vaults". I give it a solid 10/10.