Darkplace Interview with Matt Holness and Alice Lowe

Chris Hewitt from Empire magazine interviews Matthew Holness and Alice Lowe during the Totally Serialized festival, where all six episodes of Darkplace were played back to back to celebrate its ten year anniversary.

[@jacobsteele7138]

Garth is one of the few people I know who has written more books then he's read.

[@daelen.cclark]

Which explains a lot.

[@kalaong]

@@daelen.cclark Especially since the single most prolific author of all time, Isaac Asimov, only managed about 500, 280 of them non-fiction.

[@veradinx]

We need more Darkplace. They should crowd fund it. Matt should not give up on Garth, he's an amazing character.

[@MrKohlenstoff]

Hell yes. I'd totally fund it.

[@TheKitchenerLeslie]

I bet they could do it on Netflix now. Julian Barratt has a special on there.

[@Draliseth]

I think Garth has probably given up on him. Matt doesn't have the same vision or scope Garth does.

[@yellowblanka6058]

They might not own the IP anymore, not sure.

[@gordons-alive4940]

@@Draliseth To be fair, does anyone?

[@brianbagnall3029]

I would back more Merenghi big time. Kickstarter! Kickstarter!

[@theonlyantony]

+Brian Bagnall Why not let it be? it was brief and beautiful, like some of the best things, in this universe. It wasn't bloated by a naff 3rd series, like the Boosh. How vulgar!

[@minorityreports4309]

However, there's a big difference between having 2 and 3 series - Phoenix Nights, Spaced, Fawlty - all had 2 and felt just right. Merenghi definitely felt unfinished without a second series but this is exactly what crowdfunding was meant for! Come on Matt - get it Kickstarted! :-)

[@davidconreen6607]

BIG TIME

[@Draliseth]

Yea! Let's make it an extravaganza like Game of Thrones! Or Lost! /s

[@johnsullivanmusic2719]

I think there is something to them being in debt and working with limitations, its what made the show have its creative spark. The scene where they have the plates deliberately on strings and the helicopter is just some paper mache and a plastic disc. Those were all probably real limitations that they creatively designed to fit in with the cheesy eighties theme. I really think limitation breeds inspiration, and if they have a ton of money from Kickstarter then I fear it wont really be as special. Id love to see some more installments as much as anyone though.

[@videowilliams]

Matthew Holness is such a sweetheart, Alice Lowe is so outspoken! Funny to see how different they are from their Darkplace characters, and sad to hear how a Series 2 did get sketched out but was never shot. So Garth Marenghi really has weaved his last dream. It's too bad our KZbin fandom happened too late.

[@GoyliathZiofister]

>such a sweetheart You gay bro?

[@videowilliams]

Nope. Just struck by how he's the opposite of Garth.

[@mymonkeylife]

GoyliathZiofister Twat

[@wilmdanby3232]

GoyliathZiofister So what if he was gay you philistine. Im gay, and what?

[@HawkOfGP]

The thing is the show was probably done just a couple of years too early, because people didn't really start hearing about it until KZbin became a thing in 2006.

[@rigsby1454]

Will always remember taping Darkplace (yes VHS! 2004 they still existed) and passing it around school. Its true that the internet fandom did come a bit after. Its a near perfect comedy show

[@borismuller86]

Rigsby 1 ha! I’ve got a tape of it too. I’m still proud of it.

[@calonico9470]

I'd love to see a Christmas special of Darkplace lol... I imagine it would be nothing short of hilarious.

[@BucketOfMarbles]

They would not make Darkplace today. They would not make it.

[@Uppernorwood976]

The great tv shows have come and gone

[@tommytoofar]

Thank God for the Peruvian market....

[@littleblakkitty]

So glad this was recorded! Darkplace remains one of my all time favorite things. So wishing they could have gone on to do more.

[@harybosco]

have you watched "A Gun for George"?

[@littleblakkitty]

harybosco Yes! Not the same type of humor as Darkplace but quite good.

[@syteanric1868]

Matt didn't want to do anymore. He'd always planned for 1 series

[@bouncyclouds276]

@@syteanric1868 unless i misunderstood what was said in this interview... well... you didn't watch the interview lol

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

Delighted to stumble upon this interview. The whole Darkplace idea is delicious, exquisite, perfection, too-big-for-itself (in a Ralph Rauschenberg sense). What I love here is to discover that Matthew Holness’ voice is quite different to both Garth’s and Rick’s. I’ve just bought the DVD on Amazon, having only seen Garth Marenghi on KZbin. Absolutely GENIUS. Rick Dagless’ corridor run is just too much 😅.

[@Dirt33breaks]

You should listen to the new Garth Marenghi's Books. (Terrortomb and incarnate) Matthew Holness does the narration for all characters, its outrageous.

[@JimiLaMort]

Thanks a million for posting this. I didn't think i'd ever see Matt, out of character, talking about Darkplace!

[@Gunsl1nger76]

Jimi LaMort no worries. I know was lucky to be there and happy to share :-)

[@racefaceec90]

darkplaces is bloody awesome.

[@yellowblanka6058]

It's too bad that Ayoade or Berry couldn't make an appearance. It's weird to me that Holness didn't at least have a cameo on "The IT Crowd" - he was a great IT guy in "Bruiser"

[@guidadiehl9176]

And in The Office.

[@dbag3345]

They don't seem to like him very much

[@hysteria008]

Especially when Linehan had a cameo in darkplace

[@judyhopps9380]

@@dbag3345 seriously?

[@Sgt_Glory]

@@dbag3345 I wonder why (no sarcasm, I genuinely wonder)

[@davidconreen6607]

I can watch Garth Marenghi Dark place daily, if you haven't watched it with the commentary on yet then you're in for a treat. Brilliant. I love everything about this series. Regards, David from Manchester, England, UK

[@PotholesInMyLawn]

This was so enlightening... it explains so much. The fact that real cameramen with high skills film this series on film really explains why its just so good. Great writing and awesome acting, cool sets and music.. Thank you for sharing.

[@stevena488]

And now Garth's back with an audiobook and novel. Go out and pre-order it folks!

[@kasparkrycek7953]

Alice Lowe and Matt Holness are underrated af. Cheers for the vid!

[@GnCFilms]

Thanks for sharing this; been looking for anything with Matthew Holness as himself.

[@Fraudpod]

Fantastic! Up there with the very best! I want to see more Matt Holness work!

[@hyperdeath84]

Really cool interview. Would love to see the full cast together for a retrospective or something - they're all super talented and interesting in their own right so it would be cool to see them back together after they've all gone off to do so many other things and dipped in and out of each other's careers over time. Garth Marenghi was an absolute comedy gem that I remember being really excited for when it first aired and made myself stay in to watch it at a time in my life when my #1 priority was going out to get pissed as much as possible. Now it's a guaranteed good time with a few mates who get it and a couple of Js for good measure. Also, the in character commentaries on the DVD are superb.

[@andrewhawcroft3587]

Bring back DARKPLACE. We need it now more than ever. No 2nd series, but series No. 908 of BIG BROTHER and I´M A CELEBRITY....?

[@A-small-amount-of-peas]

Unfortunately Andrew it's the world we live in. If a shows premise is too complicated then TV execs panic and chuck it on late with next to no advertising but simplistic scripted reality shows rule and the dull mass of the general public get dumber by the day

[@ric112]

still one of my favourite shows ever.

[@arempy5836]

What would be horribly funny is if Matt made a kickstarter as Garth to put together the 2nd season.

[@rudidower]

Thanks very much for posting. Darkplace just randomly popped into my head about half an hour ago for no discernible reason. I just remembered it and had a need to watch some! Such a great series, real genius.

[@aeiouxs]

Thanks for recording/sharing this!

[@Demendred]

This is incredible, thanks so much for filming this!

[@gibgun]

Thanks for uploading. Was great to watch, and a little sad that it sounds like it's done.

[@galliman123]

thanks so much for recording this

[@jkjerome1]

Thanks for uploading this - really enjoyed it. Best comedy show in a long time. Definitely murdered by the time slot. Channel 4 didn't even release it on DVD for ages and all you could get was a dodgy TV copy for 3 quid off Ebay. Noel's keeps saying "Yavin" when he's playing the head Monkey. Dunno if it was intentional but it's where Princess Leah tells Gran Moff Tarkin the Rebel base is in Star Wars. My favourite line in the entire show "you again you barstard!"

[@DrJuice1]

This interview is old now, and Darkplace was already old when they did this interview. I just discovered the show last week ☹ I need more Matt Holness and Alice Lowe! I need interviews with Matt Berry and Richard Ayoade! It's not fair! And how come none of the people at this thing asked about the ADR? Most of the questions were superficial. "Why Romford?" Really?!

[@jacobfelger5684]

I read somewhere that while Matthew is still in show business, he's no longer a comedian, considering the comedy scene an, and I quote, "unpleasant business full of unpleasant people." Shame, really, but hopefully he's happier with his new projects! :)

[@yellowblanka6058]

I do think a lot of comedians tend to have issues and see comedy as a sort of therapy/vent. Wouldn't surprise me that there'd be a lot of vitriolic personalities in the business.

[@powerbite92]

David bailey shot a bunch of pics for a Sunday times Oasis interview back in the day, confided to the writer of the piece that rock stars were okay whereas the comedians that he met were the most unpleasant the most insecure basically the worst in his view..

[@volume10industries...24_7]

Alice is perfect in anything she does. from Noble and Silver, to the Mighty Boosh she's an original.

[@davidconreen6607]

Garth & the Boosh, now we're talking would be up there with Quantum leap & I don't say that lightly. Regards, David from Manchester, England, UK.

[@thehousegleaners]

Thanks for posting this! I wondered about that fly....

[@matthewdevereux1288]

Madeleine Wool was gorgeous.

[@DaveInBridport]

Alice so suits blonde!

[@jacobsteele7138]

I had to buy a region free DVD player so I could watch those DVDs whenever I wanted.

[@davidconreen6607]

Todd & Dean play the same character in The Mighty Boosh ( Like I need to inform you Dream Weavers of this fact, I'm Northern so I can't shut up ), Richard Bainbridge has a legendary moustache. I love the Chopper MK1 & MK2 chase with Dean playing Thornton coming in on a classic Grifter. I used to live in Glasgow & I ain't going back. This series is pure genius that will live in my heart forever, the Boosh will too. Regards, David from Manchester, England, UK. Shift your arse Liz

[@rare6499]

Brilliant!

[@jamescrowley8598]

Brilliant video

[@archaicsoul4597]

It’s time to bring back the greats: Darkplace The IT Crowd Black Books

[@linkieloos]

I wouldn't mind a War of the Wasps movie with these guys (see the 1st episode of Man to Man with Dean Learner).

[@borismuller86]

Brit Lynx bye bye Bugenhaven.

[@yellowblanka6058]

@@borismuller86 Should have remained calm, the wasps would have flown away.

[@JohnnyZenith]

PLEASE DO THIS AGAIN!

[@dextrodemon]

i always wondered about that fly

[@tostare]

Does anyone know if that pilot he refers to (at 6.45) is available anywhere? I can't make out what he says the name was: "Garth Marenghi's The Toll" maybe?

[@The_jerk_store]

MORE DARKPLACE!

[@JonjoLyonsReviews]

I will work with this man someday.

[@theonlyantony]

HG Wells 'invented the internet' in his 1923 utopian story, 'Men like Gods.' Great book. I think 'Lifehouse', Townshend's aborted album, was inspired by it, in part.

[@dewy200884]

Thanks for pointing that out.. Never knew it. I've been a HG Wells fan for years after reading Time Machine.

[@whomanbeing]

If anyone can get Matt to bring back Darkplace, it’s the Peruvians.

[@hassledvania]

THE WARTUH THE WARTUH THE WARTUH

[@53rdAndThird]

At first I thought Garth was a parody of Stephen King, but the more I watched, his arrogance reminded me of Harlan Ellison more than anybody else.

[@judyhopps9380]

omg yes. I see it now. And now I can't unsee it.

[@christopherkelley5875]

Except unlike Garth, Ellison had the talent to at least partial justify his ego haha

[@spamytv]

RIP Gareth Marengi and his dark place

[@robm8809]

Can the pilot that they mention be seen anywhere?

[@jr8209]

cool

[@robertjsmith]

Mulholland drive music and the colour red

[@PurushaDesa]

Can Netflix or Hulu please fucking fund all these second series ideas please?!

[@richardcrook2112]

When you see them talking so earnestly about "Dark Place" it feels like another layer of parody.

[@pearlfisher2813]

I always thought Garth was a pastiche of James Herbert hence the black shirt and leather sport coat.

[@mattw1730]

Maggots?..........Maggots!..........Maggots, maggots, maggots.....................................................................................................................................................................................................maggots.

[@WinterS0lstice]

all over the floor of the post office

[@dannywholuv]

And piss and shit and blood. Her blood.

[@Oceanmachine27]

And bits of sick.

[@foxbat51]

I always thought Brian Lumley was an inspiration for Garth Merenghi.

[@powerbite92]

also Alan Moore.

[@Autopsy6]

@@powerbite92 It was always Guy N. Smith and Shaun Hutson for me!

[@Squelch133]

i though James Herbert.

[@DR3ADER1]

Considering that Stephen King thought he was better than Kubrick at adapting his own novels that he began to direct his own films, Garth does have a bit of King in his character. The paperback writer who writes pure shlock yet thinks he's writing pure gold.

[@czerro1]

He's definitely 90 percent Stephen King, but I think Holness' answer is probably accurate. There is just a certain amount of sorta absurd pretentiousness in serious Horror and Hard Sci-Fi writers all around. The opening credits are a parody of Ray Bradbury's Theater and Twilight Zone, for example.

[@glenbellefonte9620]

Stephen King is the world's biggest douche bag.

[@vonstraugg5963]

I always saw the Garth character as being a criticism of any creative narcissists who think highly of themselves, and that the King-like connection is superficial to a certain degree. Garth is more an amalgamation of pretentiousness from a broad spectrum rather than just one or two particular people.

[@dbag3345]

I always thought it was closer to someone like James Herbert.

[@powerbite92]

@@vonstraugg5963 also Alan Moore.. and other sci-fi writers.

[@TheWaynos73]

So where was Madelene Wool buried???!!!

[@Scarecrowsauce]

A carpark in milan, the discovery of her body was overshadowed in the news by the discovery of Richard III in a car park in Leicester at the same time.

[@kraftwerkorange13]

Madeline’s come back from the dead!

[@FranktheDachshund]

Crawled out of that skunk hole.

[@kalaong]

14:28 - oh f*ck me, that's sublime. They actually *admit* that the whole freaking thing is the Throw It In trope. "Using film means you can't, you haven't got lots of takes that you can do. But that was quite good for this because we thought, 'Great! If we p!ss up the take it's great, we just use it!" You've got two takes, that's it, if you bugger out, there goes it. So a lot of that stuff's *genuine!"*

[@Bombaman5632]

I though Madeleine Wool was dead!

[@applemask]

Literally just here to find out what Matthew Holness actually sounds like

[@dbag3345]

Why doesn't Richard & Matt Berry want to work with him anymore?

[@SuperRustyBoy]

He's been in at least two of Matt Berry's shows recently.

[@neonatalpenguin]

Did Holness fall out with Richard Ayoade and Matt Berry? The only comedy people who seem to be on good terms with him are Mitchell & Webb.

[@crustyskellington4056]

Holness was in an episode of Toast of London playing an arrogant American director, so almost certainly not when it comes to Berry anyway.

[@danyoutube7491]

Where do you get the idea that he isn't on good terms with them? If it's simply because they haven't been doing professional stuff together, that doesn't mean anything.

[@garethlewis1984]

21,000 for a year of teaching English in Japan? Hahaha.. no.

[@bretwaldablahblahblah3578]

i liked darkplace but not at all keen on footlights comedy monopoly. bring back working class comics ffs.

[@Squelch133]

i though James Herbert.

[@christopherkelley5875]

Also a bit of Guy N Smith