Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. R2 UK DVD July 3rd 2006.

Okay, this has been mentioned in the forums, a desire for an appearance of this 2004 show 'Darkplace' - another show to seem relatively ignored on broadcast, but which has gained an increased reputation since that time. For all fans of Z-Grade Horror Novels then, here's a spoof show that is portrayed as having been shot in the 1980s and then shelved because it was too shocking or 'ahead of its time' as you might say. Infact the show was brand new when broadcast, and is simply produced to look old, so you get 80's music, special effects, plot stylings, and general tongue in cheek references to TV, film and the kind of horror book which was popular back then.

The premise is that Garth Marenghi (played by Matthew Holness) is actually playing a writer starring in his own show as Dr.Rick Dagless, and has him longside his colleagues fighting odd happenings in Darkplace Hospital. Apart from the intentional productiont value gags, the show sets Marenghi up to show him for the enourmously pretentious pseudo-intellectual is clearly is - this being done through the absurdity, the leaps of logic and faith, the connections and stylings to elements from this certain kind of Horror Novel, as well as sprinkling of Science Fiction. Anyway, superb show that seems finally set to appear on DVD during early July here in the UK, thanks to Channel 4. There's also hope that the team are coming back this year with 'Deano's After Dark' which also features Garth Marenghi. Look for cameos by Stephen Merchant (of 'The Office' and 'Extras') amongst others in 'Darkplace'.

Garth Marenghi Official Website.
'Save Darkplace' Fan Website.
'Darkplace' Review at Shiny Shelf.
'Darkplace' Overview at BBC Comedy Guide.

'Darkplace' Chat Transcript at Channel 4 with Rick Dagless & Dean Learner.
'Darkplace' Fansite at Clive Banks, with Episode Guide and more.
'Darkplace' at IMDB.

'Garth Marenghi's Darkplace' R2 UK DVD Released July 3rd 2006 at Amazon.co.uk [Direct Link].