H I T C H H I K E R ' S G U I D E T O T H E G A L A X Y
----------------------- --------- --- ----- -----------
1978 and 1980
First Show: 8 Mar, 1978 Last Show: 25 Jan, 1980
Number Shows: 12 Audition Show: none
Series Description:
Is there science fiction fan who hasn't heard of the "Hitchhiker's
Guide to the Galaxy" series? Doubtful. But maybe they haven't heard
of the BBC's radio version of Douglas Adams' comedy/science fiction
multi-book work. In fact, the radio version came first, airing on
BBC Radio 4 on Wednesday, 8 March, 1978 at 10:30 PM. This was the
first of a six-part series that was to form the basis of the series
in print. (The first book was first published in England in
September of 1979.) A seventh episode was broadcast on Christmas
Eve in 1978. The final five episodes aired in January of 1980, all
in one week. This brought the total to 12 episodes.
Simon Brett, perhaps better known for his Charles Paris detective
novels, produced the first episode of the series before leaving the
BBC to pursue writing. Geoffrey Perkins took over producing the
remainder of the shows.
The story has three main characters. There is Arthur Dent, whose
house is bulldozed just before the Earth is vaporized to make way
for a hyperspatial expressway. Ford Prefect is his alien friend,
who is a researcher for the Hitchhiker's Guide. Of course, Arthur
didn't know Ford was an alien, until Ford saved him from Earth's
demise. Then there's the Book. Who (or what) else can tell the
story, not to mention filling in with all those bits of trivia only
a true Guide can provide.
The first six episodes were written to stand alone. The ending of
part six almost ties everything together, leaving but a few loose
ends. Part 7 starts up almost where part 6 finished but ends as
though Part 8 was next week. It isn't. Those first listeners had
to wait over a year for the next installment. The remaining parts
continue the insanity right up to the very end, where you'll feel
like you have to wait for part 13. Very much like the series of
books.
There's a number of variations of The Guide. The first version
was heard over the BBC's Radio 4. Then, there were the BBC World
Service (heard world-wide over short wave) and the BBC transcription
service versions (heard in the US on NPR). There was even a version
on record and a TV version. Of course, there's the books. Each one
is different, sometimes slight, sometimes not so slight. Those who
have read the books but haven't heard the radio series may be in for
a surprise or two.
Log Comments:
Unlike many modern radio series, this one is easy to find and can be
found in your local book store. This version, publish by Time-Warner
Publishers, packs all 12 episodes into 4 tapes (3 episodes per tape,
1 1/2 per side) or 2 CD's and is in stereo. Price is about $25 for
the tapes and about $35 for the CD's.
The shows were untitled. For this list, I've adopted the method used
in the radio scripts book. The BBC refers to episodes as "Fits".
The radio scripts are denoted as "Fit the First" for episode number
one and so on. There was also a short episode description in the
script book, taken from Radio Times. I've included it here.
In Douglas Adams' introduction to "The More Than Complete Hitch-
hiker's Guide", entitled "A Guide to the Guide", Mr. Adams mentioned
episode 7 was "commonly known as the Christmas episode. It contained
no reference of any kind Christmas." In keeping with the tone of the
series, this bit of information is included in the list.
Broadcast date for the first show was obtained from "The More Than
Complete Hitchhiker's Guide" and "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the
Galaxy: The Original Radio Scripts". Broadcast dates for shows 7
through 12 were obtained from radio scripts book. The remaining
dates are my assumptions.
Chronological Log:
Date Num Title
------------ --- -----------------------------------------------
08 Mar, 1978 1 Fit The First
In which the Earth is unexpectedly destroyed
and the great Hitch-Hike begins.
15 Mar, 1978 2 Fit The Second
After being saved from certain death during the
demolition of the Earth, Arthur Dent now faces
a hopeless choice between meeting certain death
in the vacuum of space or finding something
pleasant to say about Vogon poetry.
22 Mar, 1978 3 Fit The Third
After being improbably rescued from certain
death in the vacuum of space, Arthur Dent and
his new companions now face a missile attack
and certain death.
29 Mar, 1978 4 Fit The Fourth
It has been revealed to Arthur that the Earth
has been built by the Magratheans and run by
mice. Meanwhile his companions have been
suddenly confronted by something nasty
(probably certain death).
05 Apr, 1978 5 Fit The Fifth
Sent to find the Ultimate Question to Life, the
Universe and Everything, Arthur Dent and his
companions have been cornered by two humane
cops who, nevertheless, have left them in a
certain death situation.
12 Apr, 1978 6 Fit The Sixth, conclusion of first series
Will the Ultimate Question to Life, the
Universe and Everything (to which the answer is
forty two) be discovered?
Will our heroes be able to control their newly
stolen spaceship and the enormous fleet of
black battle cruisers that is following them?
Will all end happily or in the certain death
that has threatened them so persistently?
24 Dec, 1978 7 Fit The Seventh, The Christmas Episode
The show that began with the end of the world
continues with Arthur Dent and Ford Prefect
stranded on prehistoric Earth, and Zaphod
Beeblebrox and Marvin thoroughly devoured by a
carbon copy of the Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of
Traal.
21 Jan, 1980 8 Fit The Eighth
Zaphod Beeblebrox and his mysterious friend
Roosta are being taken in a flying building to
the evil Frogstar, whilst Ford Prefect and
Arthur Dent are stranded on pre-historic Earth.
Some of them are getting hungry.
22 Jan, 1980 9 Fit The Ninth
In which our heroes have the chance to chew the
fat with some old enemies and Arthur Dent has
an unpleasant cup of tea.
23 Jan, 1980 10 Fit The Tenth
In which our heroes have some close encounters
with others and themselves.
24 Jan, 1980 11 Fit The Eleventh
In which our heroes do a lot of running and
digging.
25 Jan, 1980 12 Fit The Twelfth, the conclusion
In which all is resolved, everyone lives
happily ever after, and pigs fly.
References:
* "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Original Radio
Scripts" by Douglas Adams and Geoffrey Perkins, Harmony Books,
NY, 1985, ISBN 0-517-88384-8.
* "The Ultimate History of Network Radio Programming and Guide To All
Circulating Shows", by Jay Hickerson, Box 4321, Hamden, CT 06514
Other Logs or Books:
* HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY log, Jerry Haendiges Productions,
13808 Sunset Dr., Whittier, CA 90602 (http://www.otrsite.com)
Reader Feedback:
* M.J. Simpson corrected the time of the first broadcast from 10:00
to 10:30, per Radio Times.
Last Update: May 20, 2004
This log is informational only and does not imply that I have these
shows for trade or sale. The shows are still protected under
copyright law and should be obtained only from authorized dealers.
The log may be freely reproduced and published on a no-profit basis.
Please send error corrections or additional information to Frank M.
Passage, 109 Elmwood Road, Verona, NJ 07044 (email: wb2ntp@arrl.net).