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 Secondary Phase, Episode 2 - Fit The Ninth

An episode in which our heroes have the chance to chew the fat with some old enemies and Arthur Dent has an unpleasant cup of tea.

Further details

While on the Heart of Gold, Arthur, Ford, Zaphod and Marvin discover that they are being chased by the Vogons.

Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz is leading the chase, trying to finish is job of demolishing everything on the Earth. Prostetnic Vogon Jeltz contacts Gag Halfrunt, Zaphod's brain care specialist, where it is revealed that Jeltz was hired by Gag to carry out the demolition of Earth so that the Ultimate Question would not be calculated.

While trying to escape from the Vogons, Zaphod discovers that the ship's computer is too busy dealing with another task - that being, Why should Arthur Dent want to drink tea, compared to anything that the ship could give him?

In a last bid to escape, Zaphod contacts his great-grandfather, Zaphod Beeblebrox IV, in a seance. More is revealed about how Zaphod got his job as President of the Galaxy. After the seance is over, the computer is restored to normal and the Heart of Gold escapes from the Vogons.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 22nd January 1980
Time
10:30pm
Channel
BBC Radio 4
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Saturday 3rd May 2014 6:00pm Radio 4 Extra
Sunday 4th May 2014 12:00am Radio 4 Extra
Tuesday 24th April 2018 10:30pm Radio 4 Extra
Saturday 28th March 2020 6:00pm Radio 4 Extra
Sunday 29th March 2020 12:00am Radio 4 Extra
Wednesday 29th December 2021 6:00pm Radio 4 Extra
Thursday 30th December 2021 12:00am Radio 4 Extra
Thursday 30th December 2021 6:00pm Radio 4 Extra
Friday 31st December 2021 12:00am Radio 4 Extra

Cast & crew

Cast
Simon Jones Arthur Dent
Geoffrey McGivern Ford Prefect
Peter Jones The Book
Mark Wing-Davey Zaphod Beeblebrox
Stephen Moore Marvin
Bill Wallis The Vogon Captain
David Tate Eddie
Guest cast
David Tate Vogon Guard
Stephen Moore Gag Halfrunt
Geoffrey McGivern Ventilation System
Stephen Moore Vogon Guard
David Tate Vogon Computer
Leueen Willoughby Nutrimat Machine
Richard Goolden Zaphod Beeblebrox IV
Writing team
Douglas Adams Writer

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