Greetings traveller. Garth Marenghi's Darkplace was a comedy series shown on Channel 4 in 2004. Created by Matthew Holness and Richard Ayoade, it's quite simply a parody of a so-called horror drama, based on the writings of the character Garth Marenghi - a 'horror writer', played by Holness.
Set in the mid-80's, and based in Darkplace hospital in Romford, it evolves around Dr Rick Dagless M.D - played by Garth Marenghi (who, remember, is played by Holness!!) who has to fight of the forces of darkness, whilst coping with the day-to-day admin of running a hospital. As well as Dagless, the other main characters include Thorton Reed, played by Ayoade, Dr Lucien Sanchez played by Matt Berry, and Madeline Wool, played by Alice Lowe.
Each episode includes 'commentary' from Marenghi and Dean Learner, played by Ayoade, as well as the actor Todd Rivers played by Matt Berry. They in turn lavish praise on the programme, making it seem like the best programme…well, ever.
Before I go further, you MUST remember this is a parody - the comedy comes from the incredibly wooden acting, poor special effects, and cheesy script. The following text is more or less taking the p**s, so-to-speak. This ladies and gentlemen, is Darkplace.
The
first episode "Once Upon A Beginning" is based around the arrival of Madeline Wool, who is supposedly psycic, and her believing that something bad is about to happen. She's right - the gates of hell open up in Darkplace - with one of Dagless' closest friends spontaneously combusting as a result. A gun fight ensues - a common feature of the programme - taking the preverbial out of other genres.
"Hell Hath Fury" is about objects coming to life, through the power of telekinetic abilites, and this endangers everyone in Darkplace. The hunt is on to find out who exactly is causing this chaos. In results in Dagless scrificing the life of the new temp-worker in order to find out!
"Skipper The Eyechild" is 'supposedly' about a metaphor of Marenghi not having a son of his own. As the title suggests, he fathers a giant eyeball, but it turn kills it…
Episode 4, entitled "The Apes Of Wrath" concerns everyone in Darkplace turning in apes, except Dagless and Reed. As everyone mysteriously turns into them, what can be causing it. To the viewer, it's exceedingly obvious it's the water supply, considering it's bright green, but as the character Marenghi, Matt Holness uses the comedy of making things far too obvious and pointing them out, just to ensure the viewer understands…were this to be a real-horror drama, rather that a comedy.
"Scotch Mist" is all about a strange mist that falls upon Darkplace, filling the surrounding the area with undeed 'Scotchmen', all after revenge of Dagless after he said "some pretty nasty things."
And finally, episode 6 - "The Creeping Moss From The Shores Of Shuggoth" - a curious green gas threatens to turn everyone into broccoli, specifically a woman that Sanchez has just fallen in love with. This episode includes the now infamous amongst Darkplace fans "One Track Lover" song by Dr Sanchez. Download it now!!
So then, here's a few choice quotes from the series to get you all in the mood……
Garth Marenghi: I'm one of the few people you'll meet who've written more books than they have read.
Garth Merenghi: I have never exploded. But, I know what it would be like. Don't ask me how, I just know. I've always, just known.
Dean Learner: She was like a candle in the wind... unreliable.
Thorton Reed: I've been there hombre, when I heard my wife died I could barely finish my lunch.
Marenghi: Everybody has a skill. Mine's a good writer, actor, director, painter…other people are good plumbers, that's their skill.
Learner: I had a cat once, I dropped a sofa on it, it was a write-off, so I stood on its head.
Answerphone: Och…kill…Dagless…mon Dagless: What does it mean? Dr. Sanchez: Well I know "mon" means man, but I don't think "Och" means anything.
Marenghi: The broccoli symbolised AIDS, and back then the only people to touch the subject were us, and Princess Di.
Marenghi: As a horror writer I don't ask for much. I just hope I've changed the way you think about life.
Excellent, and I'll stop there before I get too carried away! Now, the DVD was released over two-and-a-half years after the show was aired on Channel 4, and for a long time it looked as if it never would be released, partly due to the poor viewing figures when it was showed the first time around - not due to lack of popularity, but due to a lack of publicity on the channel's behalf. The programme now has a massive fanbase, and is quickly becoming one of those 'cult' programmes. Reportedly, Holness and Ayoade have been commissioned by FilmFour to write a film based on Garth Marenghi's Darkplace…. watch this space!
The extras on the DVD include the mandatory stuff such as commentary, deleted scenes and photos. But also, and more importantly, contains a full version of the "One Track Lover" song that I've mentioned already...comedy gold!
You can pick the DVD up on Amazon for £11.98 - now that's gotta be worth a watch if you ask me! This really is genius comedy. It's so different to anything else out there - it's clever, yet almost slapstick at the same time. Watch this today...you'll be impressed.
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Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
I think Richard Ayoade makes this show. Good as it is, I think it would've gotten boring without him.
Tonster 20.03.2007 21:07
Great review, I loved this,.xxx
n13roy 20.03.2007 20:37
This was indeed a very odd series indeed, but I loved it, and it was brilliant.....There is another series on SKY at the moment called " Dead like Me " which somehow reminds of this show, I don't know why though !!!!........Roy......
When the Hellmouth opens beneath Darkplace Hospital in downtown Romford, kiddy doctor, ... more
Vietnam veteran and ex-warlock Dr. Rick Dagless M.D. (Garth Marenghi) is the only man who can close it.Joined by best buddy Dr. Lucien Sanchez (Todd Rivers), fiery h...
![Garth Marenghi's Darkplace [DVD] [2004]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78482886.jpg "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace [DVD] [2004]")
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