Garth Marenghi's Darkplace

"Nina's eyes popped out of what was left of her back. Why oh why had she opened that tomb? The sand turned red. This was because she was bleeding on it. Blood - ruby-red blood, her blood. Blood... and piss and shit. This was the worst day of her life."

Short-lived and underseen, it is also one of the funniest shows ever made. Brought me to the point of painful laughter in each of its six episodes. For anyone who enjoyed this show, there is also an even lesser-known spin-off show called "Man to Man With Dean Learner" where Richard Ayoade hosts a fake talk show in character.

This genius inspired me to become an author, dream weaver, visionary, plus actor.

first time actually sitting and watching it front to back, and yeah it's a top 15 or so show of all time and the greatest one-and-done. even better than the iannucci/morris stuff that influenced it. please never reboot this or tarnish it in any way, thank you.

The quality of the writing here is superb. Each episode begins with the Marenghi character reading an excerpt from one of his wretched novels until the show-within-a-show begins, moving encyclopedically through every possible way that a film or television production could go wrong -- hammy acting, oblivious racism, rampant sexism, shoddy special fx, nonsensical plots, and (best of all) Richard Ayoade blurting out every line in a rapid monotone with zero comprehension of anything he's saying.

Probably the best so-bad-it's-good spoof ever created. Matthew Holness and co. are geniuses in this regard, the show doesn't just lazily rely on pastiching the tropes and calling it a day, it goes out of its way to be funny with the insanely stupid storylines, excellently silly creature effects, comedic fuck-ups in the show (mostly thanks to Dean Learner) and the brilliantly edited interview throwbacks -- yet it still keeps a deadpan seriousness all the way through.

But I'm not Jesus Christ...I've come to accept that.

I have spent years trying to describe this show to people and failing to convince them it even exists. But it does, and it is immaculate.

[through episode 6]

This is the type of show you know you can write if you had just had the balls to be completely devoid of sanity and structure. It's insane how goofy this show is. Nonsense wording and scenarios with wonderfully cheap effects. I have to imagine 90 percent of the world would hate this with a fiery passion.

For a show that's specifically trying it's best to be terrible, damn, did I find myself invested in it. Between the hilariously bad acting, shoddy special effects, and nonsensical storylines, there's a heart and obvious labour of love quality to it that's irresistible. Really dissappointed that this only lasted 6 episodes.

Get the feeling my lack of 80s horror knowledge held this back a little.

A British TV series that's crappy, stupid, and genius all at the very same time. An awesome concept of intentionally setting out to be a genuinely awful '80s Horror series with all the bad hallmarks of filmmaking and performances that's hilarious and bonkers too. The series has small interview/documentary style scenes with the filmmakers and actors to add further detail with what's going on behind the scenes. With only six episodes, it doesn't outstay its welcome and ends on a perfect home run.

Hilarious, witty, sharp and genius.

Wacky, avan't garde, surreal humour is right up my alley and so was this. The awful filming, awful acting, and awful cinematography make this probably the most awful show that I absolutely love.

One of the funniest, most meticulous works of cultivated cheesiness that our nostalgic infatuation with 1980s media has produced. And at a mere six episodes the, perhaps, thinness of the material doesn't become a problem. Ideally watched wearing a good pair of headphones to really appreciate the bloody awful looping and foley.

"He was born half-boy, half-grasshopper; never stood a chance." Why oh why will we never get more Darkplace?

A must see (if you can find it) Not only a pitch perfect piss take on trashy 80s TV horror aesthetics (or lack thereof), but also supremely funnily written and performances are hilarious.