Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace: A Hilarious Parody of ’80s Television
Photo credit: Channel 4
Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace is one of the funniest series ever put on television. Don’t @ me. If you love The Mighty Boosh, The IT Crowd, or What We Do in the Shadows, this show is definitely for you.
2004’s Darkplace sends up the horrible cheese of 1980s low budget television. Bad foley, bad acting, pretentious authors who think their works are above criticism, all this and more is skewered here.
The Premise
Author Garth Marenghi had written, produced, and starred in a horror series in the 1980s. The BBC rejected the show, and it remained on film in his basement(although it did have a run in Peru). His spacious basement. During a recent drought in programming, the network came to him and begged him for his show.
Garth presents each episode, with cast interviews sprinkled throughout. They opine about the show, about acting, and about the actress that played Liz. As Dean Learner says:
She was like a candle in the wind…unreliable.
The series is about a hospital where Dr. Dagless(played by Garth/Matthew Holness) and a friend accidentally opened a portal to hell. Garth, his best buddy Dr. Lucien Sanchez(played by Todd Rivers/Matt Berry), and psychic Dr. Liz Asher(Madeleine Wool/Alice Lowe) must brave the horrors of a haunted hospital, and the wrath of the hospital’s supervisor, Thornton Reed(Dean Learner/Richard Ayoade). Dean Learner is also Garth’s publicist.
Capturing the 1980s
The fashion, music, and overall feel captures the decade beautifully.
Garth’s book covers are also very reminiscent of the books from the decade. I miss the over the top covers when I’d visit the mall bookstores and their horror sections.
Capturing Low Budget Fare
Overly loud footprints, bad dubbing, and bad editing are used to comedic effect. Continuity? Who needs it. Animal handler’s hands onscreen? Leave it! Soon you’ll be looking for the intentional gaffes-not that you’ll have to.
Cameos
There are cameos from Richard’s other Mighty Boosh co-stars Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding. Even Graham Linehan has a bit part. Had the show lasted more than six episodes, we would have no doubt seen more.
Incredibly Quotable
I’ll leave you with one of my favorites from Julian Barratt’s Padre:
Photo credit: Channel 4
Larry Renwick will be remembered for his wit, and laughing eyes. And for being above-all a good friend. I’m sure we all feel that he exploded too young, but, the Lord moves in mysterious ways. Sometimes, He’ll come in at an angle. Other times, He can hover, then swoop. Sometimes He can even come in from beneath, like a worm, or mole. The Lord, it’s His call how He chooses to maneuver.
Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace is available on Region 2 DVD, and on YouTube.
