New Hitchhiker's Guide Radio Series Announced

AllieA writes "The BBC has announced that they will be adapting the final three Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy books for radio, with this 'tertiary phase' including Life, the Universe, and Everything; So Long and Thanks for All the Fish; and Mostly Harmless. Members of the original radio series cast, including Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Mark Wing-Davey, Susan Sheridan, Stephen Moore and announcer John Marsh, will all take part in the new series, set to start next spring and be completed before the end of 2004."

Comments

Finally....

[Ratface]

A reason to listen to "normal" radio again!

I tend to listen only to Internet radio stations where I can steer the type of programming I listen to. There is all too little original programming on broadcast radio that makes it worthwhile - and waaay too much commercialised pop rubbish.

Think about it - when was the last time you actually *looked forward* to something on the radio? And when was the lst time on TV?

Right!

Peter Jones...

[Jace of Fuse!]

Without Peter Jones as "The Book" I'm not sure how I feel about this.

Also, it's important to point out that there were many differences between the books, the scripts, and the television production.

Adoption of the remaining three books to Radio by anyone other than DNA himself is something I don't believe will work.

Re:Peter Jones...

[angusr]

Sorry, can't agree. Remember that all the way through casting the original series Douglas Adams and the other people involved always said that they were looking for a "you know, a Peter Jones-y sort of voice." Eventually someone pointed out that they could achieve that by casting Peter Jones.

What DNA was after was a slight air of befuddled incomprehension but total authority, a sort of "I have no idea why this might be the case - but it most certainly is the case" state of mind. If you've heard Peter Jones on "Just a Minute" you'll know why he was perfect for the role.

I still reckon that the best replacement would have been Oliver Postgate... not only does he have that same befuddled air when narrating the Clangers (et al) but for at least two generations he's a voice you'd instinctively trust. If he said "Don't Panic", you wouldn't...

Will it do the books justice?

[Max Romantschuk]

I'm fully aware that the guide started as a radio series in the first place... But I'm still not sure that radio, nor film, can do the books justice. The surreal whimsical quality is just very hard to convey.

For those who have seen the utterly horrible adaptation of Michael Ende's A Neverending Story, read the book. Really, you should.

I guess I'm just getting old and cynical or something, but I'm still quite sceptical they'll pull it off.

Re:The lesson to be learned here

[arkhan_jg]

Alas, BBC radio only broadcasts realplayer streams.

The most likely station they'll broadcast on will be radio 4, as that is the talk radio station that gets dramas, series, comedy etc.

If they do, there's a good chance it'll end up archived on listen again, or possibly BBCi H2G2

Eagles

[Doomrat]

I wonder if they'll still use The Eagles - Journey of the Sorceror for the theme.

I had a nightmare about the upcoming movie. I dreamed that Linkin Park covered this song for the soundtrack. I hadn't woken up screaming like that for years. My sheets were wet, and I don't mean with passion.

Re:United States release?

[Mwongozi]

You don't have to wait. When broadcast, you will be able to listen directly. All BBC Radio stations are streamed live on the net.