Amazon.co.uk Review
Why are sci-fi fans so obsessive? Essentially a sit-com, the fact that
Red Dwarf is set in space, and has joyfully parodied virtually every aspect of the science fiction genre has led to its achieving cult status. This is never more apparent in
Smeg Ups and Smeg Outs than when Robert Lewellyn, presenting "in character" as toilet-servicing droid Kryten, tetchily reads through lists of the questions most asked by fans, and they all turn out to be pedantic observations querying the slightest inconsistencies in the show's script. Elsewhere, the success of this video rests on how many times you will be amused by seeing a member of the (admittedly very likeable)
Red Dwarf cast fluff their lines and then look at the camera and grin or swear. The clips are funniest when they last long enough to allow the cast--Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John Jules, Lewellyn, Norman Lovett and Hattie Hyridge--to show their individual personalities rather than just that, like all actors, they occasionally forget their lines. Barrie is an excellent impressionist and it is difficult not to like the perpetually cheeky Charles, but at times it can feel like a rather long and repetitive episode of
Auntie's Bloomers. One can't help but think that the videos would have benefited from some proper interviews from the cast, and creators Doug Naylor and Rob Grant, to break up the "smeg outs". Nevertheless, the wealth of out-takes from familiar episodes, deleted scenes (an alternative ending for Series 6, and a poker scene from Series 3 in which Kryten removes and bets his own head), footage from the Red Dwarf convention (proof again of the series' status as a sort of British
Star Trek) and a full version of the song
Tongue Tied make this a must for all Red Dwarf fans. --
Paul Philpott
Synopsis
Comedy double-bill featuring out-takes for the hugely popular comedy sci-fi series. Footage includes the un-transmitted ending from the final episode of series 6, an extended mix of the RED DWARF single, bloopers and the top ten most asked questions
![Red Dwarf - Back To Earth - Director's Cut [DVD] [2009]](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51LzX3c66QL._SL500_SS90_.jpg)
