Garth Marenghi's Darkplace: Episode 1 Season 1 Once Upon a Beginning Reaction

[@Moonlightgraeme]

This show is unbelievable, I envy anyone who’s watching it for the first time.

[@rundmk00]

although the more times you see it the more little things you notice, it keeps on giving

[@gavh9360]

It's worth a memory wipe just to experience it again.

[@AfterWorkReactions]

It is wild lol

[@lanecrescent4161]

That's me!

[@OracleTheRonin]

filing cabinet

[@mikefoster6018]

I saw Garth Marenghi live a few weeks ago in London, in theatre. It was packed and hilarious. It started with him monologuing, but ended up with people from the audience on stage being directed by him while he was still in character as Garth! So funny hearing you reference Black Dynamite, as that's exactly what I was thinking! "I'd like to take the credit, but dig, mama, there's no "i" in "revolutio...", in "team.""

[@DarkSideOfNeon]

So jealous, I live in the states and will probably never get the chance to see Matt Holness live as Garth and it bums me out hardcore

[@bletheringfool]

I met Garth a few days ago. He did a performance reading from his book. Matthew Holness in full character the whole night doing QandA as Garth. He has the whole hack horror writer down.

[@SessVlogs]

YES! This show isn't for everyone, but it's _definitely_ for you, really excited to see you watch the rest!

[@AfterWorkReactions]

LOL I am loving it. =]

[@yellowblanka6058]

I have re-watched this show/"man to man with Dean Learner" so many times it's not funny. Which is weird because I'm not a huge horror fan, never read Stephen King etc. but the sense of humor in this show so closely aligns with my affinity for bizarre character quirks and situations etc.

[@jedthementalist5112]

You haven't lived until you've witnessed the acting, sorry, the truth of Dean Learner. The man loves the camera... can't keep his eyes off of it. This show is the most significant televisual event since Quantum Leap, and I do not say that lightly!

[@OwDoRegularDave]

And he’s got a lawnmower, you dig?

[@bigtom8925]

Richard ayoade just unleashing a fury of shotgun blasts never fails to make me laugh

[@kildogery]

It's incredible. Absolutely no right to be so funny.

[@AfterWorkReactions]

LOL it was hilarious.

[@lucascoval828]

The cuts between him standing by and then firing away sealed it. 🤣🤣🤣

[@MatthewLiebrich]

if that is how you say it.

[@mrmeerkat1096]

​@lucascoval828 the first time I watched that scene I was in absolute hysterics. To the point where I missed other funny stuff. So the next time I watched the episode again I was noticing stuff I missed the first time around.

[@hayleywood8753]

I love that Darklplace Hospital and the literal gates to hell are set in Romford. Because as someone who was born in Romford, I get it 👍

[@Elzilcho87]

I saw this when it first broadcasted on channel 4. Even the network played along with the joke, and acted like it really was a serious horror drama from the 80’s that was recently discovered in the archives. The novelty of having it broadcasted as a legitimately serious horror drama just made the whole thing even funnier.

[@conallmclaughlin4545]

Me too... Blew my mind. I loved it

[@joepbailey]

I remember watched it when it released as well. It was so good. I'm pretty sure it was round the time Nathan Barley was on Channel 4 as well. But maybe I'm wrong.

[@sneer0101]

​@@joepbailey You're right. I remember watching both shows at Uni on Friday nights completely high as a kite

[@kildogery]

So glad you enjoyed it. It's a vibe.

[@phatpolofish]

You're going to have a blast with this series. Thanks for the reactions

[@swingsloth]

The British are the absolute best at absurdist humor. Between this and "this is Jinsy" and can't decide which I love more

[@lockeforeer]

I love the gag at the end of him going on about doors for ages and then realising, in the script, that he should have called them portals to start with, but just leaving that whole thought process in lol

[@j9lorna]

This is sooo much funnier after many joints. Funniest bit that cracks up my very stoned self "Not my fault. Monkey BASTARD hands!"

[@myohmyDesign]

This series has a sequel show called 'Man To Man with Dean Learner'. Make sure to follow this show with that!

[@slakk5093]

Never heard of the sequel and love this series!

[@chrisbfreelance]

It's not really a sequel as such, more a spin off, it's good in parts but not comparable.

[@sporkfindus4777]

So glad you're watching this. I knew you'd get the nuances and whole premise. I remember watching Darkplace when it was first broadcast when I was at sixth form college. It wasn't as popular as it should've been. I reckon that Adoyade and Holness took a lot of inspiration from Miami Vice: the hazy quality of film, the background music, the tense emotional dialogue the lieutenant character. Very similar. Apparently, Darkplace was very expensive to produce, in no small part because they used period 9mm film and cameras to make it look legitimately 80s.

[@ethanlivemere1162]

What a treat! I just finished the show last night, it is amazing on every level

[@marlastrongbow]

The Twin Peaks esque music is top notch

[@benjaminriepe1912]

The boom mics in Black Dynomite! So good. Just the continuity issues are hilarious! That fight seen was the best.

[@chinchillaka]

Fantastic! So happy to see this:)

[@tom-du2tq]

Ah man, this is a masterpiece

[@katyparker2081]

One track lover is a tune!! You must watch that episode ❤

[@MJK808]

So buzzing that you're doing this absolute gem

[@IanDarley]

I knew you'd love this! It doesn't get any more sane 🤣🤣

[@ConsciusVeritasVids]

I got into your channel with the Red Dwarf and IT Crowd reviews, and I'm eager to watch you cover this obscure gem as well!

[@robertpage3195]

Thanks for reminding me of this show. How could I have forgotten this. It's absolutely genius. Am off to binge watch it now

[@gipgap4]

I’ll get a mop. This is definitely an 80’s parody. The fashion and the partner dynamics. One of my favourite comedies.

[@forthrightgambitia1032]

Finally you are watching this gem.

[@chimpinaneckbrace]

Renwick explodes. “Are you alright?”

[@richardlevy1459]

This shows great and introduced me to a lot of the cast the first time

[@squidink3470]

Yessssssss I love this show!

[@briz1965]

So glad you are doing this your laugh makes it. Shout out for The Mighty Boosh, Man to Man with Dean Lerner, Time Tunnel. For Matt Berry audio he did a great series called I'Regress

[@rudolphclancy8293]

Yes, love Darkplace and Black Dynamite! "WHO THE HELL HAS INTERRUPTED MY KUNG FU?"

[@edwarddavenport9881]

This is comedy gold. It’s quite under the radar and definitely not for everyone but the humour is very clever. I think it actually started as a stage show and won The Perrier Award, which is basically the comedy equivalent of a Palm d’Or.

[@ligman100]

Fantastic show

[@chrisgibson7591]

You should try the mighty Booh, I think you'd like the humour

[@Wadyface]

Yes. Dark place. Have you done the mighty boost yet. \m/. Also man to man with Dean learner.

[@Whytesnake77]

Pure class. Love it

[@bignumbers]

One of the funniest shows ever to air on Britain's tv

[@rwd76]

A beautifully silly series. Met Adam Holness a few years ago at 'Grimfest' a Darkplace-a-thon with a Q and A with the cast. Great fun. Black Dynamite is good fun. The scene with the microphone is shot, or kicking the old woman with the door always makes me laugh.

[@rollomaughfling380]

It's *Matthew.

[@syteanric]

Don't know who you met but it wasn't Matthew Holness!

[@Lones555]

I've seen many reaction channels attempt this and really not "get" the humour, it's meant to be completely awful acting, continuity and over the top. It's a spoof of many such series and films that took themselves far too seriously over the years. I know you'll love it.

[@James-ju4gj]

For me comedy just never got better than this.

[@bootcamp661]

Omg i completley forgot about this show!!!!😂😂😂 I need to rewatch this 😁

[@Razerboard]

I think that Garth Merengi's Dark Place is both a parody of Lars Von Triers "Riget", which Stephen King remade a couple of years ago AND satire of old school horror that were B-production at best. I think it's hillarious when people like Lars Von Trier gets knocked down a peg. Oh sure, him and his Dogme96 ruleset and film movement had a lot of importance - but we can still laugh at stuff though. Like one of my favourite spoof movies is "Don't be a menace", but we grew up on "Boys in the hood", the "Friday" film series, and you can see the love in good satire. Garth Marengi's Darkplace is fantastic.

[@theblackwidowchronicles]

He was funny in The Office as the annoying computer guy

[@DaveBeatz]

finally someone is checking this out! been commenting it on all the reactors i watch!

[@AfterWorkReactions]

It is hilarious, I am glad I finally got to check it out.

[@j9lorna]

Genius. Just to set the scene - channel 4 came on air in the early 80's. Prior to that, we only had 3 channels. Early C4 shows looked exactly like this.

[@kildogery]

A bit, but no real channel 4 shows ever tried to ape the US network TV style, so Darkplace sort of spoofs two things at once. It's like a Gerry Anderson show, pretending to be American.

[@CannySourdough]

Yes!!! Finally!!!

[@joshuagraham2546]

Oh you must watch man to man with Dean learner which is a spin off of this fine show :D

[@scottking869]

Man never expected you to rewct to this

[@peachmylk]

OMG YES! At last 🎉

[@paulgilson2347]

This is perfect comedy, executed exquisitely.

[@meetalleeka]

GMDP is one of the greatest television events to ever occur. I highly recommend you read Garth's recent book, 'TerrorTome'. He has a sequel coming out at Halloween too. Must-read books!

[@panasonicyouth1985]

One of the greatest comedies of all time - six episodes of utter madness! The point of Darkplace is that it was supposed to parody how awful amd gloriously cheesy the acting, writing, dubbing, editing, production, etc was in terms of 80s medical dramas, sci-fi, and horror. So what they are essentially doing is acting as two / three different people, whilst acting bad on purpose 😄 which can be very tricky to do! So glad you are getting around to this, the best has yet to come!

[@nickshale6926]

FINALLY!!!!

[@AfterWorkReactions]

It is a fantastic show =]

[@nickshale6926]

@@AfterWorkReactions only 6eps but all of them comedy gold. ‘Hell hath fury’ and ‘Skipper the eye-child’ are my two absolute faves.

[@jessbelen]

wow my favorite show

[@no-nowanna]

What a Great show. Nails the horror parody so well. Richard Ayoade is epic

[@struggopuggo]

As someone from Romford I'm certain Darkplace Hospital is based on Old Church Hospital. Also the jokes are all accurate.

[@johngilmore697]

What utter drivel

[@Bats-7]

One of my favourite & most underrated British comedies 👊

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

My favourite line the series is Sanchez’ “So what happened between you and this Renwick customer” Raised eyebrow 🤨

[@Nethescurial95]

It's quite fitting that Matthew Holness, who plays Garth, is an actual horror writer/director nowadays, and has almost entirely switched over from comedy to horror. His film "Possum" (2018) is definitely worth seeking out.

[@elaineshakeshaft2830]

This show is mad😂❤

[@bananasaregood8655]

This programme is so underrated, richard ayoade is flippin hillarious in this! Love when he looks at the camera😂😂

[@baggyobeast]

This reminds me of the film - scanners

[@lad1981uk]

Finally!!!! 😄😄😄

[@BasilLecher]

When I first watched this, I assumed it was a parody of Kingdom Hospital which I quite enjoyed in my school days. Cults, magic, hospitals with portals to evil, and written by a prolific horror author. Stephen King in fact. Turns out, Dark Place came first. Then I found out both were based on the danish show Riget. King went serious and ignored the subtle humor, Darkplace was all humor.

[@shaun-hoppy]

Now you've seen the normalist episode to ease you in, get ready for a great treat

[@hugeroastpotato]

My ass is grass and he he's got a lawnmower.

[@therenegade79]

Dark Place is a underrated gem.

[@Mediocre_Chairman]

I can’t do more than 1 like. Great show. I may have been one of those that suggested it a couple years ago.

[@BlackPanther-is8yy]

Classic!!

[@michaeltunnicliffe4935]

Black Dynamite is a great film. It does what this show does, and makes something so bad that its good. Something not a lot of people can do. Hope you carry on this show, it's so funny.

[@DUANEYAISER]

I love that at the end, his arm is in a sling because he shot the woman in the arm. :-)

[@drdassler]

OMG, I imagined this would be perfect for you. 👌🏼

[@AfterWorkReactions]

It is hilarious, such a goofy show.

[@TheBadger74]

So glad you watched this show! It's a parody of Stephen King's "Kingdom Hospital" mostly, through a filter of dodgy 1980's British TV shows like "Crossroads" and "Howards Way" with a hint of "Tales of the Unexpected" and "Sapphire and Steel" etc. Plus the male attitudes of old British action shows like "Jason King" and "the Professionals" thrown in. Absolute Genius!

[@aimatin]

Off topic but Kingdom Hospital was an American version of a (much much better) Danish series 'Riget' by Lars Von Trier :) As much as I love Stephen King, he should not have touched the original :p

[@darklighter66]

Didnt Kingdom Hospital come out after this? The one mentioned by the guy above was shown on BBC 2 (stipdly late) though

[@TheBadger74]

@@darklighter66 Now you mention it I'm not entirely sure! I think they were both made in 2004... I had to look it up because I felt like Dark Place was something I'd seen in the late 90's, so I was surprised! To be honest I've watched so much late night telly it's all a blur 😊

[@laserspewpew_7175]

So glad you are watching this, it’s a bit bonkers but quality show!

[@Mrs.A583]

The Scotland episode great it was before I moved to Scotland 😅 it's nice

[@thatsnotme811]

Yes, yes , yes! :D

[@papalaz4444244]

Dean Learner is the greatest actor of his generation. It's a shame. The general public just didn't watch this show because they didn't get it at all lol so it ws cancelled

[@seanjohnjean7929]

Haha I love this show, so underrated!

[@Filbi]

"You and he were... buddies, weren't you?"

[@Marina-pe1gx]

YES

[@jacksonbrown4112]

FUCKING YES!!!!!!!!!!

[@charleshowie2074]

Ever been to Scotland, Dagg?

[@hebejeebies2452]

Allways come back 👍

[@ashleywetherall]

Love Black Dynamite..

[@cjpaeropaint]

Matt Berry re dubbed his lines so he would sound weird.

[@MBanon1997]

Nice one

[@FortisConscius]

This genre is called Farce. A timeless theatrical comedy style. This mixes in a bit of spoof and dark humour but at it's core, it's a farce. It's just a mess but a deliberate, glorious mess.

[@adamdruett9107]

"you and he were buddies weren't you?" 🤔

[@dupersuper1938]

Twilight Zone, Night Gallery, Outer Limits, Kolchak, X-Files, Strange Luck, Harsh Realm, Millenium, Lone Gunmen, Supernatural, Winchesters, Freakylinks, Fringe, Beyond Belief, Beyond Reality, Psi Factor, Tales From the Crypt, Tales From the Dark Side, Eerie Indiana, Do Androids Dream, Love Death & Robots, Black Mirror, Buffy, Angel, Scooby-Doo, Real Ghostbusters, Castlevania, Baywatch Nights, Forever Knight, Castle Rock, Dead Zone, Sabrina, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Ray Bradbury Theatre, Sapphire & Steel, Creepshow, Reaper, Ash Vs Evil Dead, Friday the 13th the series, The Storyteller, Stranger Things: amateurs!!! Amateurs, I say!!

[@kellyhawkes3191]

Have you watched the mighty boosh ?

[@flora5090]

YEAAHHH omg

[@samkershaw8474]

If you love Black Dynamite you will love this and get it.

[@dawnmccarthy1]

Kinda makes me think of the Harvester game.

[@77jamess]

I’ll get a mop…

[@sparky4878]

Not only slow-mo they used to pad out episodes, that handshake/scream must have added a few minutes.

[@AfterWorkReactions]

LOL true.

[@MBanon1997]

A touch of cloth next!

[@jacksonbrown4112]

Also , Black Dynamite! But Black Dynamite, I sell drugs in the community!

[@BeardyBaldyBob]

You and he were buddies, weren't you?

[@RodneySeagal]

good choice 👍

[@AfterWorkReactions]

Thanks bud.