wow, am I behind (and just generally being a tit)

[veronica-rich.livejournal.com]

Well, maybe not a tit, so much ... mainly just clueless about behind-the-scenes, fandom, etc. etc.

It all started when I wanted to see if there was any review of the second RDX episode taping; someone posted a link a few weeks ago to the G&T episode one taping, and, sure enough, I found the report on Ep. 2. (No real spoilers, BTW.) I liked reading about how they've filmed something referenced on RD before but never filmed (though apparently my memory is shit enough that, unlike some of the commenters, I haven't the foggiest clue what it could actually BE). I also enjoyed the idea of the cast interacting with the audience before filming and "not skulking in the shadows like on some sitcoms." But really, can we imagine any of these guys skulking anywhere? Also, the in the comments, the discussion about Rimmer's relative cuntiness in RDX characterization (boy, you UKers really seem to love using that word, LOL).

Anyway - I started navigating around on the G&T site, reading other stuff, especially reviews. Holy coats, there's really a lot of facts I don't know about this show, its production, background stories (no, I'd never heard Doug and Rob say that Rimmer and Lister were based on themselves, but I am not one whit surprised - I would say it also lends some credence to the remark someone made about Rimmer/Lister not "sounding" as good in the writing after Rob left, except that I have always liked their interaction, yes, even in S8), and the like. A DVD set called "The Bodysnatcher Collection" is definitely something it sounds like I should get my hands on, but I'd never even heard of it before today; apparently it has episode/extras commentaries with Rob and Doug, brought together again well after their professional split to do this. (Which was nice to read, since while it will realistically probably never happen, lends a sliver of hope that maybe Rob could involve himself once more with RD writing at some future point.)

I'd forgotten what it was like to know so much within a fandom (not that I do, here, but seeing others who do, I mean); I remember being in the TNG fandom just a few years after the series started in 1987, and learning all I could and listening to fan and actor stories and the like. (And for those of you who were in a fandom pre-Internet, a sidebar: Isn't it amazing how much we fans of something were able to find out and hear without a Google go-to or email? That's what you call dedication - or insanity.)

All right, there's my pointless rambly post; hey, at least I gave you a link to a taping review! Anyone else as clueless as me, or do you all know everything, LOL? Thoughts generally?

Comments

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

I was the one who posted that link. :) I found Ganymede and Titan a few months ago. I thought I was a fan, but I have nothing on these guys and girls. The dedicated, in-depth reviews are probably the best thing about the site. Well, that and the generous community spirit which led to me getting a spare ticket from one of them. I am forever grateful. :D

I'm not quite so keen on the endemic use of the C-word, which believe me is just as offensive over here as I assume it is in the US. I think it's some kind of in-joke. I'm used to it now. *Shrug*

I own the "Bodysnatcher Collection" and it's well worth getting. Sadly it was only released in the UK and Australia, but you can watch it if you have a multi-region DVD player. There are currently availability issues though: http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/forum/messages.cfm?threadid=8DC0A150-BE25-29D8-F44BAD04A521B818

Why is it so great? Proper, in-depth documentaries for Series 1 and 2 (they couldn't afford to do that originally), the first three series remastered with commentary on six episodes by Naylor and Ed Bye, a full-length storyboard episode of a "lost" ep from Season 1 performed by Chris and with an audio commentary by Rob Grant(!) and Doug Naylor, who sound perfectly friendly to each other and completed the script especially for this collection. *Deep breath* Chris also performs the 10 minutes or so of the unfinished "Dad" episode (which couldn't really be much slashier) and Rob and Doug commentate on that too. :D I could go on, but you get the point.

Regarding Rimmer's gittiness in Season X, they were referring to the episode I watched. It's not really that bad and is definitely in character. More importantly, it's not directed at his shipmates. Someone who watched the second episode complained he was being too nice, so I don't know what direction Doug's going in. Mid-series Rimmer, at a guess.

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

Here you go, Bayliss (and anyone else who's interested): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pp_7kzsll0Y

[leyosura.livejournal.com]

I've been posting on G&T for about three years now, and the guys on there do know their stuff inside-out. You can be pretty sure that if anything's happening that's related to the show then it'll be on G&T. They're also a really good bunch of people.
So: recommended site; worth joining.

[daasgrrl.livejournal.com]

I'm so uneven about fandoms - some thngs I remember forever, but I don't have a good memory for detailed trivia like which episode such and such occurs in. I'm even a bit vague on episode titles sometimes. But then I remember exceedingly specific things like the commentary on... Rimmerworld, that's it, where CB is talking about how getting oiled is a weird way to spend a day *g*

I was in ST:TOS fandom in the 80s, and yes, it was all newsletters and occasional meeting then. I probably know the TOS eps much better than in other fandoms though, because that made up the bulk of what was actually available to discuss!

Edit: god, I suspect that's NOT Rimmerworld, is it? See, I told you I was bad at titles...

[kronette.livejournal.com]

I didn't look up much about RD when I first got online, though I was heavily into the show at the time. And then I didn't retain a lot of what I'd discovered, or didn't go into great depth, mainly because Highlander fandom was sucking the life out of me at the time :)

I haven't even gotten through all the DVD commentaries/extras yet, though over the Christmas break/vacation, I have made great progress to about 80%. I even found the Easter eggs. I remember reading about Craig's law troubles, in a vague kind of way, but I didn't get into the BTS stuff of the show until this year. And I'm still woefully behind. I didn't know why it was so long between shows, I don't think I even realized Rob was gone.

Yeah, I saw the Bodysnatchers collection online and said "NO WAY". I had a fit at $100 for the 8 series + another $15 for BTE. Though Andrew Ellard tried to convince me on Twitter that it was worth it because he's most proud of the production values and quality of the stuff he got.

I joined G&T after I'd joined the fan club this year, and haven't gotten though the whole site yet, either. I'm not fond of the c-word being tossed about on the boards, either. It's one word that I despise hearing.

Are the Skuttercasts worth listening to? I don't listen to podcasts as a rule, but if they give some good insight, I may try listening.

Don't forget, Chris (re)reads Better Than Life tomorrow on Radio 4! http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00q08ss

[janamelie.livejournal.com]

http://twitter.com/#!/NathanCubitt

Back on-topic (kind of), this guy is the official "Making Of" documentarian for Series X. Had to link just for the description under his name. *Lol* :)