The Greatest Sci Fi/Fantasy TV Shows: Considering the case for the sci fi and fantasy television shows that should be counted among the greatest of all time.
What Is It?
A radiation leak kills all aboard the mining ship Red Dwarf except for technician Dave Lister, who is in suspended animation as punishment for bringing a cat aboard. The ship’s computer awakens him when radiation levels are safe, but that is three million years in the future, making him the last surviving member of the human race. Together with the human/feline being known as Cat (who evolved from the cat Lister had brought onto the ship), the ship’s computer Holly, and the hologram of second-class technician Arnold Judas Rimmer, they explore the galaxy to find out what has changed since Lister was first put in suspended animation.
Aired: BBC, 1988-99, 2009-20, 12 Seasons Totaling 75 Episodes and 1 TV Movie
Developed By: Rob Grant, Doug Naylor
Starring: Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Norman Lovett, Hattie Hayridge, Robert Llewellyn, Chloë Annett
Argument to Count It as One of the Greatest Sci Fi TV Shows:
Developed from the sketch series Dave Hollins: Space Cadet on the BBC Radio 4 show Son of Cliché from the mid-80s, Red Dwarf arrived in 1988 and took an unsuspecting audience by surprise. At a time when Doctor Who was waning in popularity and would eventually be canceled, Red Dwarf offered an alternative sci-fi entry, though it leaned heavier on the humor. It did not offer a grand satire of the genre like The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, as it delivered more of a sci-fi sitcom focused on the antics of the crew of the Red Dwarf.
The first season was considered uneven by some and struggled with viewership after its premiere, but by the second year, the show was starting to hit its stride and would regularly deliver comedy gold up through about its fifth season. After that, it became very much hit-and-miss, and while the revivals did bring plenty of nostalgia, those have not always matched up to the best years of the show’s classic run.
But most important to the show is its cast. Craig Charles as Lister, Chris Barrie as Rimmer, Danny John-Jules as the Cat, Norman Lovett, and Hattie Hayridge as the two versions of Holly, and the rest of the players have since made their characters sci-fi TV classics. They are instantly recognizable even to those who have not regularly followed the show, and the cast has that rare chemistry that elevates a production to the next level. They have been essential to the show’s success and to making it one of the greatest genre entries of all time.
Argument Against:
While Red Dwarf got off to a good start and produced some enjoyable episodes through its early years, a little of this one goes a long way. Comedy can be quite subjective, and this show falls short of delivering laughs on a consistent basis. It is also less of a satire and more of a sci-fi sitcom, and it suffers from the pitfalls of that format. Some episodes are truly inspired, while others just fall flat. And while some of the revival seasons were enjoyable, twelve seasons is certainly stretching the premise too far. As sci-fi comedies go, this show is certainly notable, but it does not quite measure up to some of the greatest examples of genre television.
Johnny Jay’s Take:
I started watching Red Dwarf early in its run (I believe PBS picked it up in the States), and found it enjoyable through its first few seasons. But I have to admit that my interest waned, and I have not kept up with this one over the years. The early seasons certainly had some great episodes, but also some clunkers. Still, I also acknowledge that the show has accomplished quite a lot for a sci-fi comedy and has made a name for itself while also developing a notable following. I don’t believe I can make a strong argument to count it as one of the greatest sci-fi TV shows of all time because I have not watched enough of it beyond its fourth season or so. But I certainly would not make an argument against it, and this one is on my list of shows to go back and re-watch.
Where Can You Watch It?
The entire series has been released on DVD, though not Blu-ray in Region 1. It is available for streaming with a subscription to BritBox, and the first season is streaming for free (with ads) on Fandango at Home.
Stream or Purchase VOD
Do you consider Red Dwarf to be one of the greatest sci fi/fantasy TV shows of all time, or has it not stood up to the test of time? Chime in with your thoughts below or at our discussion thread at r/SciFiTV.
Be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates. And for the latest news and discussions on sci fi and fantasy television, follow r/SciFiTV
Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and you can see the premieres for all the upcoming genre entries at this link.
Love Red Dwarf. Just finished watching the entire series from The End to the Promised Land. Originally I had series 1-5 on VHS but now I have it all on DVD so I can watched all the extras and commentaries too, whenever I want. I heard that there may be a few more episodes coming out in 2025. That’s why I put Red Dwarf TV series on Google Alerts, which gave me this article. I don’t want to miss it. I’ve enjoyed watching the actors age as I have aged. Must admit I’m also a Doctor Who and Firefly fan. But Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica never interested me. Watched Blake’s Seven once but it didn’t entice me to watch it a second time. Guess I like a little whimsy which Red Dwarf certainly provided. I think Rob Grant and Doug Naylor are Geniuses. They are the real stars behind Red Dwarf.
I love Red Dwarf and some of the best episodes were past Season 5 and beyond. This show IS one of the most imaginative and best sci-fi series’ ever made IMO. It certainly was the funniest. Along with Blake’s 7, these were the best sci-fi series’ ever produced in the UK. I was never a big fan of Doctor Who.