This sort of hints at... something...: http://www.reddwarf.co.uk/news/2008/08/01/kcts%2Dgets%2Danniversarial/
Dan
Red Dwarf to return Page 5
Any return of the Dwarf is welcomed, but after 20 years you have to wonder. Except for the fact that Lister is his own father, all the original actors could now appear as their fathers.
Quote: Timbo @ August 26 2008, 11:46 PM BSTGot to agree with Seefacts. The problem was not Chloe Annet joining, it was Rob Grant leaving.
I would agree there as well.
I loved Clare Grogan's Kochanski but I don't know if she would have fit in as a regular member. Chloe had the unenviable task of; A. replacing Chris and 2. joining the series so late in its run. Not to mention the fact that she was a new version of Kochanski (the third if you count Camille Kochanski).
Series VIII has grown on me, but I don't think it's the best. All the two and three part episodes wore thin. Not unlike Star Trek: The Next Generation.
I think we have to accept that every poular programme there's ever been will be revisited at some point (unless all the cast are dead). No matter how dire it'll get big ratings, and equally big DVD sales as completists rush to get it. It's happened with movies and it'll happen with TV.
On model shots- one of my tutors at university worked on the original Red Dwarf model as one of his first jobs, name of John Beaufoy. A very nice gentleman 
As for the show- I think it went a little iffy when it became a sci-fi show with comedy vs a comedy set in space. The last series with The Vault especially was a bit too heavy on sci-fi plot. I'm a big sci-fi fan but I think alot of what made the earlier series work was that the plot was pretty much a framing device for an original premise and allowed some good jokes, like Lister wondering how he could wake up with a traffic cone 
They key is to add something to the show rather than relive old glories. Only Fools did that a few times in their specials. Royle Family too. It can be done well and because they already ruined the last few series its worth giving it a better bow out.
Spaced shouldn't be redone as they can only ruin how brilliant it was.
Quote: ContainsNuts @ August 27 2008, 4:58 PM BSTConfirmation:
http://www.chortle.co.uk/news/2008/08/27/7307/red_dwarf_returns
It isn't confirmation. Just another source quoting Llewellyn.
Robert Llewellyn has now said in a televised interview that the new special will not be a full stop to the show but is intended to test the water for a possible 9th series.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/tv/article1615283.ece
That suggests otherwise.
Though it Is only The Sun.
Okay, so we have...
a) a one-hour episode for TV in 2009.... or
b) a one-hour episode for direct-to-DVD.... or
c) four 30-minute episodes, which may only be sketches and repeated highlights from past episodes.
Yep. This rumor is sounding flimsier as the days go on....
I wonder if the writers would like Lister to eventually make it back to Earth? Then again, he's meant to be about 3 million years in the future, isn't he?
The interview with Robert Llewellyn can be viewed here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QnRfFAzmRE
Although he is hazy about some of the details, it seems certain it will be a 1 hour special contrary to what The Sun reported (now there's a surprise).
From what I understand some of those early reports have got it all wrong. The Sun is actually the closest!
BBC Worldwide are selling a series of clips to Dave and the actors are then going to film new scenes to go with them (my guess it'll be a 'do you remember when we...' type thing).
Fair play to Channel Dave actually - even if its a bit shit they've managed to trump the BBC channels on this deal (which is weird when it is their sister company selling them) and are guaranteeing themselves a huge audience (lets face it, we're all going to watch it).
Quote: Mark @ August 28 2008, 11:44 AM BSTFrom what I understand some of those early reports have got it all wrong. The Sun is actually the closest!
BBC Worldwide are selling a series of clips to Dave and the actors are then going to film new scenes to go with them (my guess it'll be a 'do you remember when we...' type thing).
Fair play to Channel Dave actually - even if its a bit shit they've managed to trump the BBC channels on this deal (which is weird when it is their sister company selling them) and are guaranteeing themselves a huge audience (lets face it, we're all going to watch it).
Hmmmm, I'm not sure about that. From what I've heard its going to be a lot more than just a few clips. There should be an official anouncement tomorrow though so I can't say anymore...
I have to say that from what I've read to date, the Dave story makes most sense, and Mark's post only adds to that. Pity, because I loathe those programmes.