Matthew Holness - Garth Marenghi's Dark Place NDH22

Our NDH22 guest was Matthew Holness, creator/star of cult show Darkplace with Garth Marenghi, and director of new horror film Possum starring Sean Harris. We talked on Mon Nov 12th 2018 at The Hospital Club
Matthew Holness is an actor, writer and director perhaps best known for creating the beloved cult hit Garth Marenghi's Darkplace (2004) starring himself, Richard Ayoade, Alice Lowe and Matt Berry. As a performer, he has appeared in shows such as Bruiser, Time Trumpet, The Office and most recently Back (2017) with his Cambridge contemporaries David Mitchell and Robert Webb. His directorial debut Possum stars Sean Harris and is on UK release Friday 26th Oct.

[@chrisscott2009]

I'd say Darkplace has one of the greatest lines in any comedy I've watched "She was like a candle in the wind....unreliable"

[@madnessbydesign1415]

Brilliant... :)

[@spamspum928]

“I’ve met writers who use subtext and they’re all cowards”

[@madnessbydesign1415]

@@spamspum928 I've used that line so many times... :)

[@the_local_bigamist]

So what happened between you and this Renwick customer?

[@TheReelDealFilmReviews]

It’s frustratingly under the radar.

[@Bungadin639]

Author. Visionary. Dreamweaver... plus actor.

[@musicwelikemang]

One of the few people to have written more books than they've read.

[@frankiekl87]

Da dada dat da da dada dat da da

[@TheWaynos73]

and doesn’t appreciate the subtext written by cowards.

[@sz5876]

That actually describes him in real life pretty well

[@robkunkel8833]

… plus actor. Love that.

[@brianbagnall3029]

He's a rare author who's written more books than he's read.

[@chimpignoramusiv8650]

Him and JK Rowling leading the pack 😂

[@SNLL811]

He and Matt Berry were buddies, weren't they

[@jesseslack2089]

ROFL I love that line!

[@odessa745]

He was the first real buddy he ever had

[@TheAndrewj96]

Once.

[@MrMrlosteruk]

Buddehhhhs!

[@Strihm]

Need I say more

[@lucywillis4535]

They were young... They were physically fit... And they were challenging logic.

[@Samn3212]

Need I say more? Need. I. Say. More?

[@stuartreid3540]

Don't get why this doesn't have more views, Holness is a genius and Dark Place is one of the best comedies of all time, great interview

[@KeithDonegan]

Completely under appreciated 😔

[@thebatmanfan1309]

Agreed. It's such a brilliant show.

[@christschinwon]

@Via and bits of sick!

[@kendoknackersackee]

Oh, I agree; Holness is a genius, but if he were to say to me: Frank, get out of my house! I would say: Holness, NO! No, I will not leave! 😤

[@ronniejdio9411]

Dark Place is the greatest tv show ever created. Ahead of it time

[@BucketOfMarbles]

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

[@emmalaw918]

Darkplace was the most significant televisual event since Quantum Leap, and I do not say that lightly

[@KarlHamilton]

It had a brief run in Peru.

[@gandalfstormcrow7943]

We were young, we were physically fit

[@LordTetsuoShima]

Sanch! THE DOOR

[@secondlastnameleft]

It was too raw then...and it's still fresh today.

[@diegofantin6012]

Darkplace was ahead of his time

[@R0B1NG5]

Proud to say I watched this when it was first shown on C4. It felt like someone made a show just for me.

[@foxbat51]

Same here.

[@simonrussell4986]

Here too. Earlier days of the internet, I just assumed everybody watched it. Apparently not.

[@naybother]

100%

[@morningstar9233]

Stumbled on Dark Place DVD (all epsisodes) in a charity shop. Only recognised Richard Ayoade, thought to self "he's funny" so i bought it took it home and watched it. Then i immediately watched it again. Next day i watched it again. Then i started circulating the DVD among friends. Continue to enjoy rewatching from time to time. Best pound i ever spent. Dark Place is on a par with Fawlty Towers yet sadly far less well known.

[@skippertheeyechild6621]

I watch it every year. It improves every time I see it.

[@galliman123]

@@skippertheeyechild6621 great name. I'm currently watching the episodes with commentary and its fucking amazing, they 100% know their characters. I love that Sanchez never watched any of it and he just sees how shit it is hahaha

[@LordBillington42]

Did you ever watch man to man with Dean Learner?

[@morningstar9233]

@@LordBillington42 Oh yes. So good!

[@ArcanePath360]

@@LordBillington42 It was hilarious as hell and a great follow up

[@MrMadshepherd]

If it were made these days, Dark Place would be one of the biggest things on Adult Swim. And it’d get 7 seasons

[@Fullofpies]

Yeah, and that would kill it. I'm glad it is what it is.

[@KHConnect]

would never survive today, this cancel culture would ruin it

[@theadamblock]

@@KHConnect Always Sunny & South Park have survived, so there's a way to do it.

[@noneofyourbusiness4616]

@@KHConnect paranoia isn't a good look

[@kapriolenkonig440]

@@KHConnect the show literally made fun of misogyny and racism in 2004, it’s not on the same, wrong side of history you’re on

[@KarlHamilton]

Terrible reviews? Remember watching it when it was brand new and everyone i knew loved it. One of the best shows ever made.

[@dannywholuv]

I agree, Dr Rick Dagless MD

[@KarlHamilton]

@@dannywholuv Liz!!!

[@RotaryPoweredRX]

American viewer here. Loved this show, watched it many times. Wished there was more than 1 season. such a shame.

[@yaboi6265]

Nah the powers that be were too scared

[@brianbagnall3029]

Man to Man with Dean Lerner is a semi sequel.

[@hansgerber8654]

it seems so rare to see him out of character

[@mordaciousfilms]

I saw Garth Marenghi's Darkplace on Adult Swim back around 2010 late at night and was instantly hooked as a fan of the 80s and sci-fi horror in general and I was amazed at the sheer authenticity of it. It really inspired me and I think it ought to get more attention from American audiences... it's really a gem.

[@ttothep1]

Same here around that time too. Just late night getting stoned and this crazy horror hospital. It took years latter to find it again and watch all of it.

[@bobcostas6272]

Same. The first episode stuck in my brain instantly and i somehow remembered darkplace a few years ago and its still as amazing as i remember lol

[@-0rbital-]

Same. I saw a couple of episodes then they stopped running it and I found the rest here years later.

[@wolfgangrecordings]

i watched it on channel 4 during its original run, didn't know it was on adult swim but that makes sense. i think american audiences are coming around to it finally after nearly 20 years, better late than never eh

[@-0rbital-]

@@wolfgangrecordings Yeah, it’s a gem for sure

[@laughingghoststudios9988]

Darkplace is genius, I watch the whole season every year without fail.

[@aaronmarshall]

I first saw Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place on Comedy Central late one night. We actually thought it was a show made in the 80s at first. There needs to be another season of Dark Place!

[@chrisscott2009]

The problem with that is that the very premise makes it impossible. If the show was cancelled after filming 1 series in the 80s, they can't have multiple series of it.

[@deforestdelpech7528]

@@chrisscott2009 I believe it's said the characters made 40 episodes or so, and those 6 are just a selection of them.

[@rigsby1454]

Mad how many famous Americans love it as well. I remember taping the episodes as they came out. Fantastic show

[@stevenpark5926]

This show influenced my taste in comedy immensely. Thanks Gar..... I mean Matthew :)

[@RalphBrooker-gn9iv]

Very interesting to learn that Dr. Sanchez was created around Matt ‘The Voice’ Berry. In the Darkplace intro, as the credits play, Sanchez does an eyebrow raise. It’s as priceless and Dr. Dagless’ ‘corridor’ running technique.

[@SiTheMon777]

Everything about that show was just fantastic. A very talented cast along with amazing music wrapped up in a legendary piece of writing. One of my absolute favourites

[@christschinwon]

Legendary comedy & the dvd extra footage including commentary was almost another show in itself as it was still in character looking back into their past performance, mostly with bitter regret to hilarious effect! Absolute perfection

[@wotisfoltch]

The scene in the chippy haha

[@Musushu]

Don't forget the One Track Lover maxi single!

[@galliman123]

Scotch mist? *drum beats* what's scotch mist?

[@chrismaddock598]

I watched all 6 episodes when they first were on Channel 4. Loved it from the very beginning!

[@neilmccormick2064]

I was a massive fan of the show when it was first broadcast, but didn't know anyone else who watched it.

[@cam5556]

Saw this guy bombing it round the speedway once. He hit a ramp, we were all thinking ‘he’s definitely dead’, but he turned over in the air, landed on his wheels, and got out and asked what we were worried about.

[@darrenjones6765]

Likely too busy just staying alive

[@fallingawake5706]

And he wasnt even a professional...

[@cam5556]

@@fallingawake5706 he wasn’t interested, making shitloads out of computers apparently

[@lawrencenoctor2703]

I loved Dark Place , bought the cd and was a broken man when there were no more series. Great to find to find fellow admirers of the quirky.

[@manplusguitar]

"Thank goodness I only took a tiny sip" Probably the most quotable show ever. Part of me wishes they'd made more, the other part is glad they didn't stretch it out and ruin it.

[@gabe_s_videos]

I've said this elsewhere, but as an American, it's interesting for me to hear Matthew Holness speak candidly because his Garth Marenghi voice always sounds to me like someone with an English accent doing a bad impression OF an English accent.

[@Johnnybananass-_]

In regards to their lack of early recognition, it didn't get played outside the uk first time around so people like me in nz had to wait for the online copies to get out,.

[@Ploddypop11]

It had a brief run in Peru

[@redcomet_622]

It was shown in the US on the Sci Fi channel and Adult Swim but that happened two years after the show's main run.

[@mrlabutler]

@@Ploddypop11 epic response!

[@axeman3d]

One of the greatest series I've seen. Matt is a genius as far as I'm concerned, it was all beautifully observed and the cast were perfect.

[@shaterlemming2549]

I remember watching Garth Marenghi's Dark Place on Adult Swim. I think around 2006/7 in the states. Even though I was only like 11/12 years old I LOVED the show. I wish it was more popular.

[@gandalfstormcrow7943]

Cool it Sanchez or you’ll get a knuckle supper.

[@Metallex]

You and he were.....buddies, weren't you? *odd blinking*

[@Kousaburo]

Not having more Darkplace... It really hurts.

[@kaylinrajah3595]

You and he were... Buddies... Weren't you?

[@Painfulwhale360]

Once

[@Pirosbor]

I wish I were more attractive, like Dagless.

[@darklighter66]

Wouldnt see that on Eastenders.

[@skippertheeyechild6621]

Daddy don't forget meeee I haven't but you're deadddd

[@pageup213]

Dark Place is one of the few series where I think we can comfortably say that it's perfect. What it set out to achieve, it did in spades, I can't fault it - while I would have loved a second season, in a way it's a good thing that it is its own standalone season, perfect from start to finish and never ran the risk of the premise being tired, or having to deal with episodes that maybe weren't as good as others (every episode of Dark Place is great, not a bad on in there and so much detail the rewatchability alone to see what you didn't pick up on, is a testimate to the quality of the show).

[@simonpenum]

In my early 20s, the only show I made any effort to stay in and watch was Darkplace

[@felixvenus666]

I demand 7 more seasons and a gritty reboot of Darkplace!

[@raminybhatti5740]

The Office (UK), I'm Alan Partridge (the two BBC series'), and Garth Marenghi's Darkplace. My top 3 TV comedy shows of all time in no particular order.

[@hezky90]

Maggots, maggots, maggots, maggots...maggots

[@TheReelDealFilmReviews]

I’m one of the few people you’ll meet who’ve written more books than I’ve read.

[@Football__Junkie]

This is the type of guy who isn’t a coward and doesn’t rely on subtext

[@ZBot47]

I'm doctor Rick Daglass MD...

[@tomahzo]

Part of me wants them to make more episodes now that they've got an audience but part of me knows that it might not be as good as those 6 episodes ;).

[@forthrightgambitia1032]

Yes, because the reason it worked and was so high quality was that it was still made in the studio era of the early 2000s. A second series, if it'd been made a year or two afterwards might have been really good (look at how Peep Show got better and better during its first few series). But honestly with the media ecosystem that exists in 2023 I don't trust them not to mess it up now.

[@edwardium]

He has two books out now. If you get the audiobook versions he reads them in character. Highly recommended.

[@tippybooch]

He hasn't aged a day

[@TheWaynos73]

hes an author, dreamweaver, visionary PLUS actor.

[@ArcanePath360]

Dark Place has so many quotable lines and memorable "bad" acting. I admit on my first episode I didn't get it at first. A mate told me to watch it so I say though the first episode until I suddenly clicked with the style within a style. From then on I was hooked and couldn't get enough. It's annoyingly underrated, probably because it's so well done that people think it was actually filmed in the 80s, lol.

[@elbecko7969]

I'm glad to say that I remember the trailer for it on ch4 and thought "this is the programme for me", and watched it when it first aired, but that it wasn't hugely popular at the time for some reason. All the better for it now though I reckon.

[@matthewhall7976]

For those of us who were a fan of garth merenghis darkplace back in the 90's..💪

[@bjd4]

i've been a fan since the 80's when i saw it in peru

[@galliman123]

@@bjd4 thank God to the Peruvians

[@MyBenjamin73]

"My ass is portable" is an involuntary tick that comes out everytime someone around me says "portable"

[@roll.fur.initiative]

Darkplace has a very special place in my heart. It's goofy and it's wonderful.

[@patrickarky116]

After this interview, he went Go- Karting at 'SuperKarts'!!!!!!

[@niallkennedy23]

i'm sitting UNcomfortably.

[@Tester-sh1mn]

Wow 334 like and no dislikes, that is what true taste is.

[@russelledwards001]

Author, visionary, went to Cambridge.

[@robkunkel8833]

Even people who like the series seem to like it for the wrong reason. I wouldn’t invite my wife to watch it. I’m addicted.

[@stevemurray5606]

It's too bad the show wasn't appreciated upon initial release. I could watch this for 10 seasons. So completely off the wall and clever as hell. Endlessly quotable as you can see in the comments. I also came across it on YT and devoured every episode immediately. My favorite is #2.

[@PurushaDesa]

Cambridge Footlights - great pedigree.

[@madnessbydesign1415]

I always say: Before you can buy a musical instrument, you have to watch Spinal Tap. Before you can do any TV/Film production, you have to watch Dark Place... :)

[@louismuscovitch2113]

We need more DARKPLACE

[@oxenbarnstokkriii8152]

Darkplace was awesome. his short "A Gun For George" was sublime too

[@nomore6939]

" I went to Uni at Cambridge and joined footlights" said every TV comedian forever

[@Briansgate]

I utterly love Darkplace.

[@jarzhinio]

So brilliant that many people don't get it until you remind them it's brilliant, then later they agree. There is definitely something to be said for not being instantly a smash hit. I think even classics like Father Ted, Spaced and The Office gradually built an audience. To be honest this is because many people require a humour adjustment to appreciate them. The adjustment can take one or two viewings. Unless you're like me and you originally were one of those fans who insisted on the unique brilliance from first watching. (You're very welcome new fans)

[@whiteprivilege2665]

Love this show

[@CBPM_]

"Darkplace, the show that divided the critics. Half hated it and the other half haven't seen it."

[@jmp01a24]

I remember Matthew from The Office where he had a recurring role.

[@LeighMatsell]

The Garth Marenghi audio books are just as hilarious.

[@Codzilla71]

Some episodes definitely stronger than others.

[@1cenobite]

Conversely,what I liked about it was the episodes were as equally good ,Interesting. Which episodes did you prefer and any suggestions for other shows or particular favorites?

[@Briansgate]

Amazing how Matthew was the center piece of people like Mitchell and Webb, and Ayoade, and Berry. Throw in noel Fielding and Julian Barrat, and they are all the core of everything I love in comedy. Amazing I can't find anything that David Mitchell and Mat Berry worked on together. that would be my dream team! Am I missing something??

[@manplusguitar]

Cambridge Footlights is a common factor I think

[@Briansgate]

@@manplusguitar indeed. It's just amazing how they all came out around the same time and all got so famous in their own rights

[@chrispalmer7893]

@@Briansgate John Oliver was also around the Footlights at that time, too (at one point he and Ayoade were President and Vice-President, I think - can't remember in what order). What's odd with hindsight is that at that time the Footlights were considered to have lost their prestige. Comedy had moved on, and if anything it was assumed that having Footlights on your resume could be detrimental to a comedy career.

[@Pagliacci_Rex]

Darkplace was just ahead of its time.

[@grahammcdonald]

My group of friends were all all over Darkplace from the beginning.

[@sz5876]

Matt Holness is hilarious! He left out his show Bruiser which had him Robert Webb David Mitchell Olivia Coleman Martin Freeman and maybe one other hysterical person like the most amazing cast

[@harryhill8543]

Went to his in person screening of Possom at The Cameo, he gives great laundry advice.

[@nicholasjones9461]

They did all the positions, on top, doggie, and normal

[@doctorreed_]

seeing matthew holness give a normal interview as himself is almost jarring lmao

[@WinterS0lstice]

nice to see Holness doing well after all these years. I've always held out hope for a modern Darkplace remake parodying the style of modern remakes where everything is overwrought and unnecessarily cgi-generated rather than the original parody of campy and underbudget 80's horror.

[@gabagoolenjoyer]

Maggots. Maggots? Maggots.

[@TB.....]

I'm still haunted by the blood....all that blood. And the Scottish episode. The fog...the blood.... the dialogue describing being stuck in Scotland. If it wasn't for the Wim Hof breathing technique daily I wouldn't be here today. He really knows how to make the audience uncomfortable. Blood, fog, Scotland.

[@brianbagnall3029]

Scotland. A true nightmare for anyone.

[@morningstar9233]

"My aunt lives there. She says it's lovely" " She's wrong"

[@brettleivars3945]

I had Dark Place on Dean-V-D

[@MisterGrooves]

I bought the DVD's only to find they were region locked to UK and I couldn't watch them in the US.

[@Johnnybananass-_]

is their anyone on British tv comedy that hasn't been in Footlights ?

[@Howch125]

I like to imagine all those guys rocking up in London to find Noel and Julian already smashing it :D

[@neilmccormick2064]

The Comic Strip Presents team.

[@WallKenshiro]

Vic and Bob.

[@SidneyBroadshead]

I think the best part of _Dark Place_ was how Matthew Holness looks like a young Patrick McGoohan.

[@judgeberry6071]

Back in the day they also did a very funny comedy show called Bruiser.

[@darrenyoung3102]

Love Darkplace

[@WalterLiddy]

I'll be honest. I clicked because I saw the Kubrick cartoon in the background and wondered what that was all about.

[@JosephReidNZ]

Great show, great group of people. Fortunate enough to have all the 4 main cast follow me on Twitter.

[@alanwakeish]

He worked with David Mitchell AKA The Myth Child.

[@vikingfortiesfaeroes]

02:45 Talking about 'Bruiser'?

[@Poorleeno]

Best show ever

[@gorgomoth02]

It is impossible to look at this seriously. It’s great to hear how this started and all but the format of him doing a retrospective interview is just too funny.

[@turinhorse]

Garth Marenghi is super awesome. But Holness's short 20min film "A Gun For George" is SUBLIME

[@timothy790110]

recommend everyone buy the audiobook of TerrorTome by Garth, its amazing, like 3 new episodes!

[@PeterMasalski93]

Shotgun Blast! Knock it off you two, this is a hospital!

[@SushiFeverDream]

Fucking love Matt Holness ❤

[@lloroshastar6347]

I had no idea it got terrible reviews but I just remember finding it hilarious and creative, glad I never read those reviews.

[@jermaineayivoh8263]

So what happened between you and this Renwick customer ? 🤨

[@simonegeezer6238]

"Hey" "Hey"

[@PepsiGuidesRS]

is there a longer version of this interview?

[@skippertheeyechild6621]

Lookout, he's got a stick

[@barnyfraggles]

Try to imagine the kind of humourless hack that would give Garth Marenghi’s Dark Place a bad review.