Jim Sadur This version of Red Dwarf is strictly a worthless footnote. The script is almost completely cribbed from the original British episode "The End" with a poorer cast, flat performances and nothing original to speak of.It is astonishing that Someone thought it useful to Americanize what was already a classic comedy on both sides of the Atlantic. That Someone must think all Americans are parochial morons who would be alienated by the original. This is yet another failed attempt to de-Anglicize a British hit. At least this version died before being officially aired.

jared-184 I saw this a while back on DVD; one of the producers showed showed it to me because I was such a huge fan of the original UK series. Because this was originally produced as part of a studio demo, and on an extremely limited budget, he knew it would wouldn't look good enough for an actual audience. The goal was just to demonstrate to studio execs that the product could be adapted for an American market.Of course, if it'd gotten the green light, it would've been re-cast and re-shot before being shown to test audiences. But obviously it didn't get the green light, so what we have here is a rare diamond in the rough. On first glance, most people are inclined to compare the quality. But for those who are interested in working in the industry, this is an opportunity to delve a little deeper.Why did Dave appeal so strongly to Brits, and why didn't the execs at Universal think it would translate to an American audience? Did the producers fail to make the American Dave a working class protagonist? Or was it done at a time when American audiences preferred more of a hero or leader character in their sci-fi roles? Bear in mind the fact that studio execs are looking for product that will appeal to the largest possible audience, and the protagonist - the character with whom the audience identifies the most - is key to bringing in an audience, and the advertising revenue that follows.I really, thoroughly enjoyed watching this. But more as an intellectual exercise than entertainment.

sr-peters I have to disagree with the other comment regarding this. There is a very good reason why this never made it past the pilot. The simple fact is this was appalling.From George McKintyre speaking directly to the camera and therefore audience to raise a laugh, if it can be called that, to the poor acting and change of original storyline to include Kryten.Jane Leeves acting as Holly was terrible, which is a disappointment as she is usually quite good. Norm MacDonald would have made a better Holly!The problem with the Americanised version of the show was that it was re-written for an American audience. The problem was that Red Dwarf was written so that Holly was dead pan when played by Norman Lovett, Rimmer wasnt just an annoying person who you wouldnt invite to dinner as in the US pilot but in the UK version had a totally flawed personality, seen in the UK episode "Me2" when he competed with another holographic image of himself on the most petty of things and later in a UK episode when he was placed on trial for the deaths of the entire crew and objected to his own defence. Rimmers arrogance and self defeating nature is the point of the character. The Rimmer in the US version was not flawed, just socially inept. Lister was too smug, the Cat not self obsessed enough to the point of being totally uncaring about anyone else and generally the show was poor. Even the upbeat theme music should not even be played in a lift. The original UK theme was solemn, identifying with the futility. Then it turned to a rock version. The american theme, well its indescribable.The US TV companies will someday realise that:1) special effects do not "make" the TV Show. Acting has a lot to do with it. 2) Its ok to write about losers. Not everyone is a winner in life. The US TV Executives seem to think that everyone must be a winner. Part of the charm of Red Dwarf was that it was about a group of unlikely people in the worst situation, just surviving and getting into trouble along the way. Each UK episode starts in a bad situation, has a worse situation develop, and goes back to the original bad situation at the end of the show. 3) You cannot re-write a classic. Red Dwarf, Dear John, The Italian Job, Get Carter to name just a few! 4) Most of all they need to learn dead pan humour and how you cant adapt this to make it upbeat. It just doesnt work.Overall I'd give the pilot 1/10 and thats only because Im feeling charitable. If you liked it good on you, but my opinion is dont spend the time watching it. You will feel cheated out of that time. You cant get it back!

deadbyday *this is the REAL pilot not the 15 min promo with female cat*After watching this pile of drivel I was one step from cracking the VCD in my hand so that i could symbolically kill at least one of the copies of it.The acting is at best ... questionable. And at worse...? well there was more life in a "dawn of the dead" zombie.The script is almost identical to "the end" with a few changes for the american market (baseball cards etc)... but somehow it dont seem ...right. the canned laughter as well makes it a chore to watch.Still Robert Llewellyn is (and always will be) a gem to watch.....and Jane Leeves makes a fine holly (all be it her British accent sometimes...just sometimes comes through ..making u think u are back watching the UK series).Havent seen the promo 15 mins that was made after this...but have seen pictures of Terri Farrell in a cat suit..so its not a complete loss I would think...(acctually on reflection it would be bad....Red dwarf was mostly about a man..who has lost his only true love 3 million years ago and will never see female company again..so to have a female character would be pointless)