The cast of the radio series. Copyright: BBC / Above The Title Productions
The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy

  • Radio sitcom
  • BBC Radio 4
  • 1978 - 2018
  • 32 episodes (6 series)

A science fiction radio comedy series written by Douglas Adams that started off the H2G2 multi-media franchise phenomenon. Stars Simon Jones, Geoffrey McGivern, Peter Jones, William Franklyn, John Lloyd and more.

Episode menu

The Tertiary Phase, Episode 6 - Fit The Eighteenth

In which Arthur Dent and Trillian meet the computer behind the Supernova Bomb, our heroes try to find out the Ultimate Question to Life, the Universe and Everything, and Arthur returns to Lord's.

Further details

Marvin shows Zaphod some CCTV footage of Trillian talking to the elders of Krikkit. She is trying to explain to them that the situation was caused by Hactar - he created the robots in an attempt to make amends for building a dud bomb.

Arthur and Trillian go into a pocket of space to meet the remains of Hactar. Hactar speaks to them, knowing that Arthur and Trillian are going to destroy him, and explains that he has fulfilled his function.

Meanwhile, the Heart of Gold has picked up a man called Prak, who knows all truth. As a result, Arthur asks him if he knows what the Ultimate Question to the Ultimate Answer (42) is. It turns out that the two are mutually exclusive. If both are known, the universe will turn into something even more bizarre and inexplicable. Prak however does tell them where to find God's Last Message to his creation. However, before Arthur can write down the address, Prak dies.

Arthur and Ford decide to go back to Lord's. Arthur tries to return The Ashes, but there is so much chaos, no-one notices him. Arthur instead decides to complete one of his childhood dreams - to bowl at Lord's. Arthur bowls a ball at an English batsman. However, it turns out that the batsman is a Krikkit robot and that the ball is a Supernova Bomb. Luckily, Arthur bowls a wide. Arthur then takes the bat and destroys the robot.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 26th October 2004
Time
6pm
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Monday 4th June 2018 10:30pm Radio 4 Extra
Saturday 30th May 2020 6:00pm Radio 4 Extra
Sunday 31st May 2020 12:00am Radio 4 Extra

Cast & crew

Cast
Simon Jones Arthur Dent
Geoffrey McGivern Ford Prefect
William Franklyn The Book
Mark Wing-Davey Zaphod Beeblebrox
Stephen Moore Marvin
Susan Sheridan Trillian
Roger Gregg Eddie
Richard Griffiths Slartibartfast
Guest cast
Toby Longworth Wowbagger
Bob Golding Krikkit Civilian
Dominic Hawksley Elder of Krikkit
Chris Langham Prak
Leslie Phillips Hactar
Henry Blofeld Self
Fred Trueman Self
Writing team
Douglas Adams Writer
Production team
Dirk Maggs Producer

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