Garth Marenghi's Darkplace - Darkplace Illuminatum

Garth Marenghi, Dean Learner and Todd Rivers are interviewed about working on Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. Extra from the DVD.
Garth Marenghi's Darkplace is a British dark comedy show made for Channel 4 by Matthew Holness and Richard Ayoade. Darkplace is presented as a lost classic: a television series produced in the 1980s, though never broadcast at the time. The show parodies numerous aspects of '80s low-budget television, including fashion, special effects, production gaffs, and music.
No copyright infringement intended. All copyright remains under Channel 4. I do not own this show at all. This is the wonderful work of writers and creators Matthew Holness and Richard Ayoade.

[@TequilaToothpick]

Brilliant show. Sadly underrated in it's day. RIP Madeline Wool. Hope they find her body some day.

[@christianlesurfmusic]

+Swoooze I think she's somewhere in the Eastern Bloc.

[@Edimonde]

+DJC Vidz Dean didnt do it.

[@DannyWilliamH]

+IGOTDOWNS Dean absolutely didn't do it. If one man on Earth didn't do it, it's Dean.

[@domchin8811]

It's the funniest thing I've ever seen.

[@TheBigdogal]

If she got a burial at all

[@demency2741]

I love how it starts off all professional, everyone being nice about each other, and the longer it drags on, the pettier and nastier they get about each other, while still trying to look good. It's fucking sublime.

[@jasonzacharias2150]

Love it when Dean gets into his shady sex life... Actual comedy all things considered in this Epstein island age

[@XonValdise]

To say this show is underrated is to describe space as slightly empty. Why only the Peruvian market got this serious work of 80's genius is beyond this critic

[@PeakTorque]

Peruvian fan here

[@domchin8811]

We owe you guys big.

[@redcomet_622]

Thank god for the peruvian market

[@Elrond_Hubbard_1]

Thanks for keeping the show alive.

[@BNK2442]

Thank you for keeping this masterpiece available.

[@hotpopcorncake]

This is my first time watching the show. Are you bieng serious

[@MasterFhyl]

A surprising number of people Dean don't like seem to die or go missing...

[@timothyfeldman779]

+MasterFhyl Probably just a weird coincidence :)

[@DannyWilliamH]

Just a strange coincidence. Many have accused him of being a murdering, rapist pornographer but I don't see it. I truly don't see it. I mean, like, did Jimmy Hoffa disappear because of the mob? I don't think so. Hoffa very likely went on a vacation and decided to stay. Just because Dean knew A LOT of people that eventually wound up shot in the face, sold to the sex slave industry and/or generally disappeared doesn't mean he was involved.

[@andrewcarson5850]

Yeah, but as he said, "I wouldn't shoot you...in the face." So I don't like your implication, chum, best wind your neck in or you'll be searching for the lost Darkplace tapes at the bottom of the Thames. In a concrete diving suit.

[@robinsonner5461]

@@andrewcarson5850 Trying to find the lost tapes would be a good move for the darkplace community. Do you have any sort of plan

[@Dowlphin]

What a blessed man.

[@PapanachePete]

"Harrison Ford was a carpenter. As far as I'm concerned, Harrison Ford is still a carpenter" "He looks like he's always trying to fit a joist."

[@oOFranCescA2080oO]

"Jesus also was a great carpenter!"

[@Byrnzi360]

@@oOFranCescA2080oO “it just shows that wood work is a good grounding for whichever profession you go into.”

[@retrolutiongames9479]

Richard Ayoade is just PAINFULLY funny to watch, the absolute awkward stiffness with which he communicates whilst saying such ridiculous things is pure comedy genius :-)

[@badazzmaro]

The contrast between his poor acting against his actual good acting as the character dean learner is a treat to behold

[@jasonzacharias2150]

"art isn't a commodity you haul in and out like dildos"

[@FranktheDachshund]

His nervous glances directly at the camera is one of my favorite touches.

[@Demendred]

He truly is an awesome actor.

[@attempt4]

Am I the only person who thinks Ayoade is just completely try-hard/not funny at all...in anything...

[@sonnieM]

These "interviews" are just as good as the actual series 😂 wish there were more

[@nomukun1138]

_Todd:_ A man who behaves like a beast... shall never suffer the pain of being a man... yet a man without love... is like an orchard without cherry blossom. That's the way I feel about it now. _Garth:_ :|

[@pillowdoor]

And the giggle behind camera

[@bryannoonan5454]

Such an amazing line hahahaha

[@sablesanctum]

"I've mellowed, I think."

[@SushiFeverDream]

You could tell he was irritated that he didn't write it 🤣🤣

[@yellowblanka6058]

"I thought he lost a bollock in Korea?" "Yeah, he had a bad time...he lost a knee and a ball" lol.

[@Football__Junkie]

Between this mockumentary and the commentary track for each episode, they really went for it on this whole thing

[@thatthingthatisaid65]

Every part of this was awesome. Thank God for the Peruvian audience.

[@SushiFeverDream]

I'm so glad they did, this show is a damn masterpiece

[@planemanship1216]

This is so exceptional from beginning to end. One thing, I can never work out if Dean Learner is rich or devastating poor. On the one hand he has his club and his strip clubs, on the other he mans the phones at his publishing house selling two books a time. “DEAN!”

[@ThejollyFrenchman]

I think he has a high income stream, but he spends his money as fast as he can get it, meaning that despite his income, he's constantly strapped for cash.

[@andrewcarson5850]

@@ThejollyFrenchman Indeed, most likely much of it would need a bit of a wash before he could stick it in a bank. Actually, maybe Darkplace is nothing more than Dean Lerner's money-laundering operation.

[@Dowlphin]

I like the naming choice - "Beelzebook".

[@simonsimon325]

He's a bit like Jimmy Savile was: made tons of money thanks to his sociopathy, but lived like a tramp in a caravan. Promised the inmates of Broadmoor some alcohol at Christmas, then palmed them off with some out-of-date beers he found in a bin. Offered his family a night out to celebrate something, then took them to a chip shop that he had some coupons for, and wouldn't let them have anything the coupons wouldn't cover.

[@FranktheDachshund]

He does film Man to Man with Dean Learner in his own 5 million pound playboy flat.

[@JainaKeria]

This is the greatest television spectacle since Quantum Leap... and I do not say that lightly.

[@Trashcanman81]

Lol I know that's just classic lmao" I love this show British humor is the bloody best

[@ohglubbits6649]

Jaina_Hodgson I have both dark place and quantum leap

[@Jay-zk7uw]

Better than Lulu. And three other people.

[@borismuller86]

Jason Hodgson so we’re talking creme-de-la-creme.

[@WhaleManMan]

I like how Garth and Todd are almost never in the same room even though Dean sits by both of them.

[@HawkOfGP]

They are in the same room for the commentary track!

[@guyshafor1320]

@@HawkOfGP Did it come to blows?

[@caulinwhitewater4118]

16:55

[@nickberkawitz6451]

Garth and Todd do sit next to each other and talk at around 18 minutes. They also do all the commentary extras together.

[@nickmeale1957]

"I'm one of the few Authors you'll meet that have written more books than they've read" - Garth

[@remygaulin6839]

"How do you answer the phone at home?" "DEAN"

[@stochinblockin]

Q: "You're not popular on set, are you?" Garth: "....Go on."

[@yellowblanka6058]

It's strange to me that Holness didn't join Ayoade and Berry on "The IT Crowd", his character in the British "The Office", and his skit(s) on "Bruiser" as the IT Guy were good, seemed like he would have fit in well with that cast.

[@1985Cyrus]

I bet this is the only time anyone will ever say "Thank god for the Peruvian market" Love these guys and their work.

[@murrfeeling]

criss poyner I've heard that phase lots of times, but I probably know a lot more coke dealers than most people.

[@DevonPalmer98]

40 episodes made in 4 weeks is damn impressive

[@borismuller86]

Devon Palmer only possible because Garth was talking at twice his normal speed.

[@luobomu9747]

Sound impressive... Until you actually watch Darkplace.

[@alexdonger5816]

@@luobomu9747 And you realise that it is in fact more than impressive, it´s breathtaking quite frankly.

[@perlefisker]

This is exactly why British comedy is outstandingly in a league of its own! A truck driver with a tie, a pimp publisher, and a man with a soothing voice and a leather jacket, too big and delightfully squeaking - ASMR...in a simple setting with masterly written dialogues, masterly delivered, subtly working on many levels...I rejoice in this at bedtime :-D

[@FNHaole]

The Actor Todd Rivers references Peter Wyngarde as his professional inspiration. Wikipedia Wyngarde’s bio, both career and personal. The show layers the humor on top of itself every second.

[@charlieoronzon7108]

nice, tnx for the hint, hilarious

[@SuperNintendawg]

Genius. Good looking out.

[@SorakuFett]

Lol, reading it going "Hmm, where have I heard this before?" lol, thanks for the tip!

[@Kunning1]

"Some of the extras on Darkplace died." - Dean Learner You know he tried to prevent each and everyone of those deaths. The poor guy, he must've been wracked with guilt...when the investigations took place, but he was feeling guilt, ask Satu.

[@311Essie]

"We didn't know you had to be asked to make a show" HAHAHAHAHAHAHA That's the funniest shit ever....

[@davidphilipsmusic]

18:34 you can hear someone off camera trying to control their laughter as Berry does his "A man without love" bit. One of the funniest TV shows ever.

[@CWB1863]

David Philips Yeah, absolutely brilliant!

[@VideoGameAnimationStudy]

+David Philips Sounds a little like a sneeze to me, if I'm honest.

[@Thatguy7242]

Also at 2:25

[@nomukun1138]

Absolutely superhuman emotional control from both actors. How did they do it?

[@QuadMochaMatti]

@@Thatguy7242 Sounded like somebody scribbling onto a pad, writing down a quote.

[@electirizer]

"...Crystal Maze has come and gone. We won't see shows like that again." 13 years later and he's going to be the host of the reboot. Funny.

[@c.v7750]

A great show. Rarely gets recognized. Nobody writes books like Garth Marenghi, nobody.

[@811chelseafc]

The interviews are honestly my favorite part. Garth’s pure arrogance. Dean Learner’s pseudo intelectual persona with a hint of criminality. And Todd Rivers just bring like “what the fuck did I get myself into”.

[@emeertz]

I am from Peru and we love Garth Meringue. Love from all Peru people.

[@SlickSonicTitan]

I love these in-character-interviews so much!......maybe more than the actual episodes!

[@emmanuelsalazar9424]

Sonic Titan agreed!

[@ToxicCityOfficial]

One of the secretly funniest parts is when Todd starts randomly expounding on how overly tall Graham is, just reveling in it, how he is unfit to be filmed. No mention of Graham for the rest of the production lol

[@m.castillo2757]

He's seen some serious stuff. Superglued men together. That, you know, that type of thing.

[@kellstar4861]

"How do you answer the phone at home?" "DEAN" LOLOLOL

[@gidofter_lukge]

Dean Learner makes a fantastic villain

[@independencehd8013]

"Some extras died during the show......some didn't!"

[@somename2072]

"A man who behaves like a beast, shall never suffer the pain of being a man"

[@borismuller86]

some name “Yet a man without love, is like an orchard without cherry blossom.”

[@yellowblanka6058]

@@borismuller86"That's how I feel. I've mellowed I think"

[@SomeDumbKid1]

A slight variation of a Samuel Johnson quote

[@Dowlphin]

@@SomeDumbKid1 Thanks for the info. Web search didn't yield a result due to the different wording. (I also admited this quote in an innocent root comment that got me shadowbanned for those. It's doubly messed up to see such out of control censorship on a show as deliberately offensive as this.)

[@jacktorrance3522]

These special features are great. My only criticism is that I wish they hadn't used Richard Ayoade as the interviewer for Garth. His voice is quite recognizable.

[@borismuller86]

Anderson Council212280 saving money as always.

[@chandrasekharpalepu1379]

That’s part of the joke. Dean mentions he had to operate the camera after the camera guy was fired. You can actually see him in reflections and stuff. They intentionally made Dean the interviewer because of Richards recognizable voice.

[@simonsimon325]

@@chandrasekharpalepu1379 Exactly my feeling too. They always end up losing everyone they work with because of either death, sacking, or non-payment of wages, then Dean inevitably does their jobs himself. Same must have happened to the original interviewer.

[@SmokingSpoon]

I love how Dean Learner is secretly psycho xD and Todd Rivers secretly thinks the show is bad hahaha

[@theolast9727]

Wait here's what's absolutely nuts, there is about an entire season's worth of Darkplace missing, according to Dean. 7 hr movie is 14 episodes. We only have 6.

[@Santiasm]

It's at the bottom of the Thames lol

[@JoeLigmama]

There are actually 40+ episodes they claim that were filmed over 4 weeks or something like that

[@perlefisker]

I simply can't thank the uploader enough for this! I'm greatly thankful. I watch it every day, sometimes on repeat. I think it's such class acting with amazingly performed funny and subtle dialogue. The more one watches the deeper it goes. Berry is just phenomenally good at acting in a complete natural manner, which doesn't seem like acting at all, Ayoade's comments are funny, and Holness is growing into a personality I feel is evolving by every viewing - the more you get to know him. He is like a hurt child. Look for instance at his meek posture in 15:24 - wonderful acting, clever script, British humour at its best, world class performance. Thank you very much for sharing this!

[@thatthingthatisaid65]

This is genius. There isn't a line wasted, it's all killer as they say.

[@Pan3optic3on]

Most hilarious tv series I've ever seen. Genius.

[@mohammedbusati5943]

" I had to suffer the undignity of a man slaughter trial" I love this show so much

[@B.B.Digital_Forest]

I have a growing suspicion that Learner eliminated a lot of competition.

[@bigmanbighouse1922]

No, Dean never hurt anyone. He couldn't. He wouldn't.

[@BibleStorm]

They just got lost in the Thames

[@coolguyhino92]

that "lifts in shoes" rant was *WAY* to real

[@simonsimon325]

I know. Comparing short men who wear cowboy boots to bald men in toupees is spot on.

[@noneed4me2n7]

Thanks for these, wonderful show and love the attention to details they did in regards to the retro 80s feel and look.

[@tostare]

Garth's place in history is assured.

[@TheJazzper1970]

"I tried to put on Othello with Mr T but he wouldn't get on a plane"

[@coachmcguirk8277]

Garth Marenghi, six foot tall? He's barely 5 foot and wears lifts, end of story.

[@yellowblanka6058]

"I am, to most bystanders, a LITTLE bit shorter than Dean" *shows picture where Dean is clearly head and shoulders taller than Garth* - LOL!

[@TedBackus]

i feel old, because i was watching this show years back, and i just saw a current video with Garth & hes like 204yrs old now

[@BillKillerz]

Noooo dont say this !!!!! :,','(

[@bryanpartington3260]

I have the compete series on dvd and love the commentary. Just listening to them in character , so real and hilarious.

[@dewsplash]

Richard Ayoade is a fucking legend.

[@jackcrux8565]

"Crystal maze had come and gone" - Dean Learner Not anymore, pal

[@nilsberg5942]

the commentaries are so good, this must have been THE funnest show ever to make/write

[@gozgal]

Just binge watched The IT Crowd to get my Matt Berry/Richard Ayoade fix. Probably time to watch Dark Place again.

[@MiguelPerez-jo9ne]

I'm sorry if this insults any of misters ayoade, holness and berry, but these interviews afe really 2.5 times better than darkplace in itself. You really forget throughout that they are actors pretending to be actors (or truthors, in deans case). This character portrayal is incredible. I really hope that there are future berry/holness/ayoade projects coming. There is much potential.

[@yellowblanka6058]

It's too bad that Ayoade/Berry never appear in the few darkplace interviews etc. I've seen - always just Holness or Lowe.

[@VivaLaDnDLogs]

Are you saying Garth Marenghi made a subpar medical horror drama?

[@davidmmulcahy7860]

Ahmed...was "interested in motion pictures himself, and the moving image." Motion pictures and moving images somehow being different; this wordplay is sooo funny

[@AfridiZindabad]

That was honestly my fave line too I was skimming to see whether anyone else liked it .. the moving image part makes it all the more patronizing and snobby, as though he was some rich man from the desert trying to wrap his mind around the idea of the moving image

[@c.v7750]

I wish there was more G. Marenghi. We need him in 2019.

[@DannyPhantomBeast]

Could you re-upload the series with Peruvian subtitles?

[@elenale3122]

I love that Richard says we don't have crystal maze anymore but now he is the one that's going to present the revamped version😂

[@mikespearman1414]

40 Episodes in four weeks is some work ethic, man.

[@madschristoffersen634]

What I really love about the interviews is how Matt Berry, in contrast to the two others, as this disillusioned, straight man, who might have been a great actor, who has a knowledge of craft, but was unfortunately roped into the BS, and I think the final line from him cements that.

[@simonsimon325]

I see him as just the same as the other two. Garth doesn't know he's a shit writer, Dean doesn't know he's got no taste, and Todd doesn't know he's a shit actor. According to Matt in an interview with Adam Buxton, his character is based on those English actors from the 70s who did a lot of theatre work and couldn't get used to the fact you don't have to bellow all your lines to fill the room when on television.

[@TheBokkelul]

I love the subtleties of Matt's acting during the scene at 3:30

[@roraio]

Have no idea what this is about, but it is genuinely hilarious.. The guys from The IT Crowd killing it again..

[@Monkofmagnesia]

There are six episodes, all on KZbin. Here is the link to episode one. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bnbOf2uNqauHpqc

[@ethanmoore4827]

The only bad thing about this show is that it’s only six episodes

[@PaulusCaesar]

What do you mean, it's 40 episodes. I think the peruvian version (overdubbed in spanish) might still be traceble somewhere in Lima, on betamax.

[@charlieoronzon7108]

@@PaulusCaesar "El sitio penumbroso de Gart Manito", guey

[@BibleStorm]

The rest of it was lost in the Thames

[@Byrnzi360]

@@BibleStorm Because Dean hurriedly tossed all his cassette tapes during the police raid on his house.

[@ENigma-um8zw]

I cannot count anymore how many times ive watched this series and videos

[@andrewmason1]

What do you MEAN you didn't ASK us to make this??!

[@crankyoldperson6871]

Andy Mason god I wish there really were 80 episodes

[@bloodrunsclear]

Madeline magically appearing actually scared me XD

[@askl23]

Darkplace would have aired in the U.S. due to the notorious "Eh, why not?" attitude of '80s TV execs.

[@domchin8811]

Can you recommend shows like Darkplace? Real ones.

[@lazyhomebody1356]

@@domchin8811 Strangers With Candy

[@notapplicable6985]

@@domchin8811 Spoils of babylon

[@KillinSspree]

I love how much these guys did not give a single fuck and were very honest about the show they made. Great material and great actors, publishers and Writers, Amazing show

[@mikegiamalva321]

You know this is a bit, right

[@KillinSspree]

@@mikegiamalva321I knew from the get-go, I was admiring the work in its entirety mate.

[@Apollomasque]

Okay but Richard Ayoade bemoaning the loss of Crystal Maze is pretty funny.

[@WolfGr33d]

Pfff hahaha. I had a feeling Garth kept using close up shots of his interns from the neck up in order to draw less attention to the fact they're taller than him.

[@Ardakapalasan]

"Literally bigger fish to fry" I died 🤣😂🤣😂

[@JohnnyZenith]

I don't understand why he never did another series. More than that it could have been a really off the wall fantastic film.

[@shrimpflea]

"Thanks God for the Peruvian market"....this is so awesome!

[@vickidyer4246]

Hands down, the funniest tv show!! Genius.

[@GaryMeres]

I was a shepherd in the nativity play too, Garth. Sang "We 3 Kings."

[@AlphaGodDamn4]

How the blue bloody hell do they think all this stuff. Oh my God. It's amazing.

[@matthewsmith141]

thank god for the peruvian market

[@toraritte-]

"It just shows that woodwork is a good grounding for whatever profession you end up going into." - This sounds like something Nick Offerman would say

[@AutomaticDuck300]

Exactly, I wish I was around in the 80s when this was out.

[@Valgrav82]

I love this so much lol, its gold

[@romulus2225]

this is better than some of the episodes

[@forthrightgambitia1032]

I just noticed they say it was 40 episodes. Plenty of room there for about 6 or 7 series.

[@BucketOfMarbles]

Just goes to show that woodwork is a good grounding for whatever profession you end up going into

[@tykykable]

"For God's sake, it's a joke. Just sit on the man's knee and he'll stop asking." Such exasperation.

[@tommygarson8592]

"I SPENT THE LAST 4 WEEKS OF MY LIFE MAKING THIS SHOW!"

[@nickberkawitz6451]

I love all the subtle jokes. This is the most well written comedy. Almost every line is a joke. At 20:40, Matt Berry's Character says you should be able to nail your lines in 2 takes which is immediately followed by Garth saying you should be able to nail it in one take meaning Matt Berry was acting throughout the series with the idea he should be able to get a redo and Garth thought each performance should only be filmed once.

[@TB.....]

I would love a second series.

[@Ockersvin]

Highlight: Garth's tremendously self-satisfied head movement at 00:28

[@ThejollyFrenchman]

Shit, I've watched the last of Darkplace. Time to watch Man to Man with Dean Learner!

[@Byrnzi360]

*His cash.* _Fair enough._ Words to live by.

[@julianlobo7838]

Who came here after cosmonaut ?

[@GodScrewface]

julian lobo 🙋🏾‍♂️

[@any-jam4467]

jup

[@ChamplainValleyRailSnapshots]

Darkplace is the greatest thing that ever happened.

[@VivaLaDnDLogs]

"I want Dagless to be an Everyman." I don't know how he can say that with a straight face 😂

[@suchiuomizu]

I wish I was more attractive, like Dagless.

[@MagicMalky]

thought i'd seen everything to do with dark place. didn't know about this thanks for the post killerz

[@CptCrash21]

"The turning point was the death of the grip.... that's when we lost the crew."

[@Stand_By_For_Mind_Control]

Cool it Sanchez.

[@burtknighten4438]

This show should have had 6 seasons

[@sonnieM]

Richard suits a moustache 👍🏻

[@GaryMeres]

"Garth Merenguhi's Darkplace is probably why the human race was invented.