"Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)" (2000) TV series 2000-2001

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

18 March 2000 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Fantasy | Mystery

Plot:

Randall and Hopkirk are detective partners with a difference - one of them is a ghost!

Plot Keywords:

Remake | Homosexual Subtext | Compulsive Viewing | Crisps | Cult Comedy

Cast

Vic Reeves	...	Marty Hopkirk (13 episodes, 2000-2001)
Bob Mortimer	...	Jeff Randall (13 episodes, 2000-2001)
Charlie Higson	...	Bulstrode / ... (12 episodes, 2000-2001)
Emilia Fox	...	Jeannie (11 episodes, 2000-2001)
Tom Baker	...	Prof. Wyvern (10 episodes, 2000-2001)
Melissa Knatchbull	...	Wendy Gill / ... (5 episodes, 2000-2001)

Runtime:

UK:50 min (13 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Filming Locations:

Dulwich College, Dulwich, London, England, UK

Company:

Ghost Productions

Trivia:

Many of the close ups of Jeff's hands during the series were performed by writer/producer/directer Charlie Higson, because Bob Mortimer's badly bitten fingernails were deemed unscreenworthy. According to Charlie Higson, 'Bob's hands are not that attractive. Mine, however, are quite gorgeous.'

Quotes:

Jeff Randall: Ah, Fire doors, Stuart, traditionally susceptible to assault by cricket bat.
[the doors catch fire]
Jeannie: My hero.
Stuart Boyle: I thought you said...
Jeff Randall: Oh, shut it, fatty!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Comedy Connections: Shooting Stars (#4.4)" (2006)

Lots of fun

Don't watch this if you're expecting to see the 60's version of Randall and Hopkirk, with prettier effects. Randall and Hopkirk 2000 (as I shall call it), is nothing of the kind. It is the same TV series in name alone and that's the way it should be.

Gone are the seedy back-street meetings of a TV series that seemed to be almost embarrassed to feature this fantasy element - which only arose because creator Dennis Spooner wanted to write a series about a ghost. The original Randall and Hopkirk was almost apologetic about the fact that one if its main characters was dead.

Thankfully Randall and Hopkirk 2000 revels in it. The plots are a little predictable, but if you want heavy detective drama go watch Cracker. Writer Charlie Higson did what they daren't in the 60's. He had fun.

The only real flaws are Reeves and Mortimer. Whoever told Vic and Bob that they can act should be shot through the lungs. That said, there has been a very clear improvement in the quality of their acting as the series has progressed.

And don't even get me started on Tom Baker. The man is a genius!

Roll on series two!