DwarfCast 157 – Re-Disc-overy: Series 1

The first Red Dwarf DVD was released twenty years ago today. Yes, we regret to inform you that you're old. The fourth of November 2002 is a date indelibly printed on the brains of fans who spent months being teased and tantalised into a frenzy. Kids today with your YouTubes and your Netflixes and your Ministry of Sound may not appreciate just how big of a deal it was for Dwarf to join the digital revolution in such a wholehearted way, so gather round and listen to your Uncles Cappsy, Danny and Ian as we kick off a new series of DwarfCast retrospectives.

For each edition of Re-Disc-overy, we're going to be sharing our memories of each DVD release, looking back on the media and fandom landscapes of the time, and of course revisiting and reassessing the many, many special features. Plus, we've picked out one extra per series to receive the commentary treatment, and this time it could only be Launching Red Dwarf. So get that lovely red box off your shelf, remove the dust from your ageing DVD player and join us as we discuss Red Dwarf's greatest unsung hero, unicycling jugglers, embarrassing Dimension Jump memories, the glory of Woolworths and much much more.

Show notes

"Because the Red Dwarf movie's happening at the moment, we thought now would be an ideal time."
Ian's contemporary review, published on the day of release
Cappsy's contemporary review, published 26 days after release. Just saying.
The Series 1 extras don't have subtitles, because Doug Naylor hates deaf people. So Danny has compiled subs for Launching Red Dwarf if anyone wants them.
The TOS archives aren't conclusive about whether or not the commentaries and Launching Red Dwarf interviews were recorded on the same day, but note that none of them are wearing the same things in the doc as they are in these pictures from the commentary session.
A double page spread from the Making Of book, the context of which will become clear when you listen. Maybe.
Eeeeeeggs dot com
The link between Red Dwarf's menus and the "follow the white rabbit" feature of The Matrix DVD originated on TOS's Easter Egg guide
Original BBC Two continuity, courtesy of Jim Lynn
Sixteen-year-old Ian's entirely pointless but time-consuming analysis of the Drunk featurette
The old Lee & Herring website is still online, as is Rob Sedgebeer's Mudhole - Ian just misremembered the URL.