Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (2004– )

This parody series is an unearthed 80s horror/drama, complete with poor production values, awful dialogue and hilarious violence. The series is set in a Hospital in Romford, which is situated over the gates of Hell.

Stars:

Richard Ayoade, Matt Berry, Matthew Holness

1 nomination.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Richard Ayoade	...	Dean Learner (6 episodes, 2004)
Matt Berry	...	Dr. Lucien Sanchez (6 episodes, 2004)
Matthew Holness	...	Dr. Rick Dagless M.D. (6 episodes, 2004)
Alice Lowe	...	Liz Asher (6 episodes, 2004)
Kim Noble	...	Jim (4 episodes, 2004)
Julian Barratt	...	Padre (3 episodes, 2004)

Storyline

In the 1980s horror writer Garth Marenghi wrote, produced, directed and starred in Darkplace, a groundbreaking series set in a hospital and exploring the depths of the author's imagination. At least that's what Marenghi and his publicist/co-star, Dean Learner, claim in modern-day interviews which both bookend and interrupt the episodes. In fact the show is cheap, chiché'd, full of gaping plot holes and startlingly misogynist. Garth Marenghi is a creation of comedian Matthew Holness, who won a Perrier award with the character at the 2001 Edinburgh festival.

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Plot Keywords:

hospital | interview | 1980s | spoof | television | 

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Taglines:

From the best-selling master of darkness

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Genres:

Comedy | Horror

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Details

Official Sites:

Avalon Television Channel 4 [uk]

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 January 2004 (UK)

Also Known As:

Darkplace

Filming Locations:

Romford, Essex, England, UK

Company Credits

Production Co:

Avalon Television, Channel 4 Television Corporation

Technical Specs

Runtime:

30 min 30 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The series was shown in 2004 on the UK's Channel 4 network, but a second series was never commissioned due to low ratings. However over the next few years the series gained a considerable cult following via word-of-mouth and the Internet. Renewed interest in the show led to it being released on DVD and subsequent airings in the US on the Sci-Fi and Adult Swim networks. Currently fans are petitioning for a second season of the show.

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Quotes

Garth Marenghi: As a horror writer I don't ask for much. I just hope I've changed the way you think about life.

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Crazy Credits

The credits are all in an 80s style and use the old Channel 4 logo.

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Connections

Referenced in The Mighty Boosh: The Making of Series 2 (2006)

User Reviews

SINCE WHEN WERE YOU ORTHADOX, RICK?

Imagine a place between tuseday and purple - between the eighties and chest wigs. Now think back to Saphire and Steel, Deathwatch and certain episodes of Dr Who. Welcome... to Darkplace

Dodgy effects (forgivable - and amusing) and dodgy scripts (unforgivable - and hysterical) ruled the roost shamelessly and here they are aped to the max. I've only seen the first episode (as well as the 'Official' Garth Marenghi website) and I screamed in a miasmous catatony - I gaped shudderously at the incomprehousity of the spectacle - I laughed till I stopped laughing. It's looking good - and I hope it's a short run, as these things can be flogged silly.

As it stands, it is refreshingly sarcastic about nerd orientated broadcasting - and amazingly would stand as a series from the period. Whiffs of Michael Mann, William Friedkin, HP Lovecraft, Starsky & Hutch and hospital based soaps should have folk wincing and laughing till doomsday.

Plot snippets so far: the guy went axe happy in a trout farm. Nuff said.