Millwallant

What about younger fans? (Including myself) I only got into Red Dwarf about 3 years ago and I didn't think it was as good as it could've been (though I enjoyed it and hope to see more). I certainly think there were bits that could have been better but I think it's all subjective really. I think they took a massive gamble going in the direction that they did and perhaps as a comeback show they could have gone for a real back to basics approach and reeled of 'space corp directives' made Kryton as neurotic as possible and for a sure fire winner brought back Dwayne Dibbley. I was delighted they chose a different approach and thought the show was better for it. I also think for there to be any hope of a new series they had to demonstrate they were capable of doing something more. The last series looked tired and cliched. I thought this cherry picked some of the better running jokes and brought them up to date. The 'space corp directive' and references to the holly hop drive etc worked so much better as an obvious in joke for sci-fi geeks than actually being proper plot points. Anyway, that's me done on the subject I think. I really hope it comes back for a full series and I hope people gave all three parts a go and watched it as a whole. Can't understand people watching 22 minutes of an hours show and giving up on it that easily!

I thought it was superb and some of the comments amuse me on threads like this. Firstly, even if you only got into Red Dwarf in it's later years it's fair to suggest your tastes have changd in 10 years. If you've watched it from the start and are looking at 20 odd years then yes, I'd be shocked if you laugh at the same things so they certainly had to strike a balance between aiming at a new audience and pleasing the old fans. Some of the slapstick stuff was awful but were no doubt the bits that made me laugh when I was 12 and watching the first series. I've never understood the need for canned laughter either. Something is either funny to you or not and the script was very well paced to allow you to laugh at the right times anyway. It doesn't take an audience laughing to make something funnier. The script does that. The original series was filmed in front of an audience and their reaction taped so 'canned laughter' is probably the wrong expression anyway. Finally, yes it was a big plug for Dave and for a potential new series with lots of merch. Lets be honest, who doesn't want to buy the toy carbug from the comic shop scene?! It worked though. It didn't need to tie up loose ends because they said at the start 10 years had passed. Plenty of flashback potential for the new series! The acting as superb and best of all they brought back some of the emoton. Craig Charles scene by Kochanskis grave was perfect and reminded me of the scene with Lister and Rimmer after Rimmers dad died. Emotional with just the right amount of humour. Couldn't be happier with it and viewing figures and no doubt dvd sales should at least see one series made by Dave. Oh and as said elsewhere, it's hard to criticise a tv channel that had the balls to bring it back and invest so heavily in promoting in. *rambling mode off*

I'm on there as MillwallAnt if anyone wants to add me. I was the wraith on Saturday night.

I'll be there. Booked time of work. Sussed out my svaings account capabilities. Booking hotel this evening. I think I'm sorted!

For me it was walkng down the stairs from the party on Saturday in my wraith costume only to pretty much bump straight into Jason. He looked me up and down and then said 'I f***ing hate you mate!' Probably as close as I will ever get to interacting with Ronon Dex rather than Jason Momoa! He signed my photo with something similar the next day too! Showmasters will always win for how accessible the guests are at their events.

What Psychosis said. I won't do BTL now and if Chevron 7.3 was moved there I wouldn't go there. That is 2 gold passes lost. While I agree hotel complaints have to be brought to the hotel it needs to made clear that Showmasters need to seriously think twice before using that one again as they will certainly lose business over it.

Just seen your photos. They are superb!

Thanks Dawning Light. And yay for everyone that has uploaded photos. I was sat at work bored but now looking through those which is far more entertaining!

I did that this morning, totally contradicting what I said the other thread about 7.3! Damm you showmasters, I'm addicted to these events!

This was my favourite from the weekend!

I'm sure a lot of people are still on their way home etc but I'm hoping people start uploading their photos soon! I'm shocking with a camera so always rely on other, far more professional people, to take decent photos that remind me of what went on! Also, a request, if anyone has any good photos of my wraith costume and wouldn't mind putting them up or emailing me that would be appreciated. Did try taking a couple in the room but as previously complained about the lighting was impossible!

Ooh, I thought of more to add. Julie's skit on the Saturay afternoon was superb like last time and well done all those who got up and took part. I wish I had your confidence! Also wanted to say it was good that Showmasters took on board what people said after the last one. It was excellent to know we could go to the talks ten minutes beforehand to be called in our group rather than people queuing for 2 hours beforehand. A far better way of loading the hall.

Well, another superb event from Showmasters. Got all autographs and photos done with ease unlike other events where a whole day can pass just queuing for one thing. The guests were superb and the talks (my personal best bit of these events) were very funny. Having the questions moderated is by far the best way of doing it. I know some people like to ask their question themselves but for the rest of the crowd it can be painful watching someone ask something inapropriate and then drag it out with half a dozen follow up questions. This system allows things to move at the right pace. Having the roulette etc was a great idea for the parties too and gave an extra thing for those too ashamed to get on the dance floor. The hotel was dire as noted elsewhere but I'd like to stress the staff were very good and I guess they are limited with what they can do about the standard of rooms. All in all superb stuff and can't wait for 7.3 Special thanks to the crew who as usual make the event work.

Just a couple of points on this thread. Firstly our room was awful too. In a buiness room and there are no lights in the ceiling just 3 lamps of which one didn't work. Unless the tv was on it was extremely dark! They even had a whiteboard in one corner of the room. You'd not be able to see what youw ere writing on it. Holes in walls, stains on furniture and carpets etc. One of the most run down hotels I've ever stayed in and until it gets a refurb Showmasters need to seriously think before using it again. I thought the staff however were helpful and friendly. On the letter writing front, I'm a personal assistant. Marking post for addressee only or P&C has no guarantee of ending up on their desk. I have authority to open whatever comes in to my bosses and they see what I think is appropriate. I'd imagine most senior professionals are the same. (we get 30 or 40 letters a day marked P&C which are just junk mail) Write to the hotel manager and cc. the letter to someone senior in the head office. Send both letters by recorded delivery so they have no excuses to claim they haven't received them. You probably won't get anything from the Directors or Head Office people but the fact the Bedford Manager will see it has been copied in to them should provoke the response you are after.

Indeed, no theme is stopping me wearing my wraith costume! Well I now have my full wraith costume but the mask is incredibly hot so I suspect i will be wearing it for one hour at most before going back to my room to get changed. Any longer and I may pass out!

Same here. Doubt I'll be able to manage another one. certainly not close to Christmas and definately not a Gold pass like the last two. Will see who the guests are for that one and maybe do a cheap ticket if there is someone I desperately want to see. Also with The Park Inn demanding payment up front these days I can't afford to budget the hotels. No doubt it will be another great event though and I will be scrabbling around for the cash a bit nearer the time!

Indeed, no theme is stopping me wearing my wraith costume!

Being pedantic, given it's in a different hotel it will definately be a different room! I agree though, that room was far too small to move guests around so hopefully in the Bedford one we will have some more space.

I thought they were saying that the £66 is the regular rate. ie. £46 when no rooms are sold, £66 when half are sold and the last remaining rooms when it looks like filling up then £86 (for example) That's what I was trying to say less succesfully in my post earlier. I book a hotel for for work that can be £45 when empty and £130 when an event is on which makes the £86 we book for amazingly good value sometimes and a complete rip off if they are empty! It's honestly only the way most hotels are run (the easyjet method!) If showmasters didn't arrange a rate, people who were booking a week before the event when the guests were all but finalised would be complaining about being penalised with a higher price.

Part of my job is booking hotels. We have an agreed rate with lots of them locally and depending on what is on at the time our rate sometimes works out really good value and sometimes is well over what we'd get if we booked independently. If a hotel has an event on the prices will go up. If they are not expecting anyone in then they will sell the rooms cheaper. Once they knew they had a booking they will have reverted to their usual rate for such events. I honestly doubt it's Showmasters decision to increase the price. This hotel only has 100 odd rooms so I imagine they are well aware they will be fully booked very quickly and will raise their prices accordingly.

Now I just want to go as Bernard Black in a suit jacket made of tax returns!

Already got the gold pass but yes, Jewel please!

I agree with that. A paid autograph people can do what they want. Far worse are those people who stand outside Old Trafford get a Ronaldo signed shirt and then flog them for £300. I'm lucky, being a Millwall fan our players are more than happy to stop and chat and sign whatever you put in front of them. That's about the only thing that's lucky about being a Millwall fan mind you!

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=547490104 Ok then!

As I've said on the other thread, thanks a lot. It was a superb event. I was stunned by how well organised it was in terms of things running to schedule. The weekend was great and I can't wait for the next one.