Electric Monks: A Dirk Gently Podcast

Ed, Nemo and Louie watch through the 2010 BBC4 Pilot of Dirk Gently starring Stephen Mangan as Dirk, Darren Boyd as Richard MacDuff and Helen Baxendale as Susan Harmison. Does it still hold up after 13 years? Were the changes from the novels justified? Is the wonky and cheap CGI part of the charm? We answer all of these questions and more.

Ed and Nemo talk about the several month old news regarding the hold up on the Dirk Gently animated series, as well as analysing the finally released book 42: The Wildly improbable ideas of Douglas Adams by Kevin Jon Davies. Also Ed talks about going to see the cult-classic bad film The Room in a theatre in Brighton on it's 20th anniversary.

Ed and Nemo are joined by Yvette Keller to talk about her recently released literary tourism map, Douglas Adams' London. Find out how Yvette picked her 42 places, which ones were left and why, the app and book she plans to do next, and where you should go if you only have 42 minutes to spend in London. We also cover some news about Kevin Jon Davies' upcoming book and this year's Douglas Adams Memorial lecture.

Douglas Adams' London is available for purchase here: https://www.herblester.com/products/douglas-adams-london

Also

In the first episode of 2023, Ed and Nemo discuss a rare update about the DIRK GENTLY Animated series, as well as the podcast being hacked a few months ago by an Eastern European man. (A big thanks to the customer support team at Anchor for resolving that) We also read out a listener submission about how the interconnectedness between all things has influenced their own life, and at one point Nemo brings up the Bee Movie.

In the second part of our interview with Kim Fuller, Kim tells us about his career outside of Douglas Adams and Dirk Gently, including his early work as a teacher, getting his big break on Not The Nine O'Clock News working for John Lloyd, working with Tracey Ullman and Lenny Henry on various different sketch shows in the UK and in the United States, his work on Spitting Image and Red Dwarf, the box office hit that was Spice World, Postman Pat the Movie, all the way through to Kim's latest projects.

In an exclusive interview, Ed talks to award winning comedy writer Kim Fuller about his Dirk Gently TV pilot script from 1998. Kim explains how he met John Lloyd and Douglas Adams when he got his start in TV writing for satirical comedy show Not the Nine O'Clock News, his thoughts on Douglas' writing style and how he tried to adapt it, his friendship with Douglas, the strengths and weaknesses of the script itself along with Douglas' feedback (Which Kim got to read for the first time), why the show fell apart, and finally Kim talks about his desire to see the script performed and possibly reworked as an audio drama. This is the untold Dirk Gently story that nobody knew about...Until now!

Ed talks to New York based actor and producer Bex Silberfein about Jagged Little Pill, the controversial broadway musical produced by Dirk Gently rightsholder Arvind Ethan David, it's problematic history in regards to gender identity and the mistreatment of it's Trans/Non-binary cast, and the harm this has inflicted upon the Trans/NB community. We also look at how this has had a knock-on effect on Arvind's other new project, the Picture of Dorian Gray audio drama adaptation.

Ed and Nemo are joined by special guest Yvette Keller to discuss the new Dirk Gently short film, Socially Distanced Dirk, as well as the accompanying 2021 Douglas Adams memorial lectures by Arvind Ethan David and Baroness Susan Greenfield. We also talk about a new kickstarter book project which will provide unearthed archived material from Adams' own archives, as well as Yvette's own book based on 42 Douglas Adams-related places, including those described in the Dirk Gently novels.

Ed and Nemo discuss the Douglas Adams memorial lecture about to take place on the 11th of March, which will feature a talk by Arvind Ethan David and a special short film "Socially distanced Dirk", starring Samuel Barnett and Hannah Marks reprising their TV show roles as Dirk and Amanda for the first time in four years. We also react to our interview with Arvind and speculate on what the animated series could end up being like, as well as the mystery other project from the Adamsverse that Arvind is working on. Finally, we give out our coveted season awards for the second season, wrapping up all our unfinished business covering the TV series.

Ed, Nemo, and Jesse discuss the second part of the tenth and final episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Nice Jacket. Dirk brings the Boy back to Wendimor, Todd drives an Amboolents, Bart reflects on her lack of free will, and Friedkin finally gets it...Whatever it is. We also wrap up our thoughts on season 2. Please note that we recorded these episodes before a lot of recent news broke about the Douglas Adams Memorial lecture and Arvind Ethan David, Sam Barnett and Hannah Marks all being involved, which is why we don't mention it here.

Ed, Nemo, and Jesse discuss the first part of the tenth and final episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Nice Jacket. Dirk navigates the chaos of Blackwing with the reluctant help of Lieutenant Assistent and the destructive, transformative power of Mona Wilder, as they try to convince a guilty and disillusioned Friedkin to help them return Francis Cardenas to Wendimor. Meanwhile, Todd and Amanda confront Susie Boreton, leading to vast confusion and Todd laying down some home truths. Also discussed is the Backstage of Reality and Ken's rise to power as the supervisor of Blackwing.

In the second of our interviews, we talk to the producer and rightsholder to adapt Dirk Gently to TV and film, Arvind Ethan David, who tells us about performing a play version of Dirk Gently at school without Douglas Adams' permission, before eventually getting it and impressing him. He also tells us about his work on the comics, the BBC America/Netflix show, and the upcoming animated series; there's some exclusive information and hints that Arvind very kindly drops our way. A big thanks to Prodigal Entertainment, Sean Chia, and of course Arvind himself for helping to organise the interview.

Ed, Nemo, and Jesse discuss the ninth episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Trouble is bad. Dirk, Todd, Amanda, The Rowdy 3 and the Beast come up with a plan to retrieve Francis Cardenas whilst being pursued by Susie Boreton. Susie's Kellum Knights mount an invasion of Blackwing, where Ken and Friedkin meet holistic actress Mona Wilder, who can literally become anything. Bart and Panto find their path to Wendimor blocked by Mr. Priest, who re-unites Bart with an old friend. Meanwhile, Farah and Tina face off against The Mage and a zombified Hobbs, and find themselves at the mercy of a sadistic tyrant.

A deleted segment from episode #29 featuring Ed, Nemo and Jesse, plus a special announcement of our special guest for holistic interrogation tape #2.

Ed, Nemo, and Jesse discuss the eighth episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Little guy, black hair. Dirk cooks up a plan to rescue Todd and Amanda from being executed, with the assistance of the Rowdy 3 and The Beast. Farah (somehow) escapes Priest and helps Tina to regain her confidence as the pair go on a dangerous search for the Mage and Hobbs. Ken tells Friedkin about a hidden Blackwing subject hiding in plain sight, in a scene that both baffles and frustrates Jesse. Meanwhile, Suzie dips her wand into a pool and stays in a hut for the entire episode.

Ed, Nemo, and Jesse discuss the seventh episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, This is not Miami. Dirk and Todd arrive in Wendimor, where Dirk lets himself be kidnapped by an overly-attached redhead girl, and Todd runs aimlessly around a forest for slightly too long, Amanda is warned that nothing that happens here even matters, Silas tries to stop a war and Susie finally arrives in Wendimor and gets a new makeover.

Ed, Nemo, Dalek and Jesse discuss the sixth episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Girl Power. Ken gets a luxurious underground apartment, a tailored dressing gown, and a new friend, Farah, Todd and Tina emerge from their night-long orgy, Dirk coins a new catchphrase, the Mage is bummed out by some mean kid's drawings and re-evaluates his entire life, whilst Susie decides to check in to hospital, where she throws down some shapes and meets a Priest who treats her with bullets.

Ed, Nemo, Jesse and special guest Sofia discuss the fifth episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Shapes and Colors. Dirk makes an unintended breakthrough in the case when the team stumbles across Arnold Cardenas, Amanda meets Wakti Wapnasi in Wendimor, who teaches her how to harness her powers to rescue the Rowdy 3, Farah is phoned up again by her boring brother Eddie, and Suzie draws Dirk to the Sound of Nothing concert in a magical murder attempt which is foiled by a DJ with a giant apple on his head.

Ed, Nemo, Jesse and Dalek discuss the fourth episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, The House within a House. Dirk falls down a hole and comes face to face with a purple people eater, Amanda and Vogle show up in Wendimor and end up captured in a cell with two new friends, Tina and Farah investigate Suzie's murder of the local bookclub, whilst Suzie has a run-in with The Mage and is given a nefarious task to fulfil.

Ed, Nemo, Jesse and Dalek discuss the third episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Two Broken Fingers. Dirk begins his crisis of confidence, Bart reports a crime, Suzie's reappearance at the Bergsberg book club gets a bad reception, whilst Farah and Tina go toe-to-toe with Panto, the Trosts take up arms, and Priest makes his move to eliminate Amanda and Vogel.

Ed, Nemo, Jesse and Dalek discuss the second episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Fans of Wet Circles. The gang gets back together with Dirk, but soon find themselves prisoners of the affable Sheriff Hobbs and his enthusiastic deputy Tina. Friedkin brings out the big guns and calls upon the services of Alan Tudyk's Mr. Priest, Susie learns how to use her new magic powers whilst also being a terrible parent, Amanda lies underneath a train to try and cause a vision, whilst Silas gets a telling off from his mummy.

Ed, Nemo and new guest Jesse discuss the first episode of the second season of the 2017 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Space Rabbit. We're introduced to the fantasy world of Wendimor and the rural town of Bergsberg, Montana, and we check in with Dirk, Friedkin, Todd, Farah, Ken and Bart, as well as being introduced to new characters such as the local Sheriff Sherlock Hobbs, unhappy and pushover housewife Susie Boreton, Wendimor's most charismatic swordsman Panto Trost, as well as Eddie, Farah's annoying and bland brother who has some bad news to give her...

Ed and Nemo discuss the second volume of the 2016-2017 Dirk Gently comic book story, The Salmon of Doubt; an ambitious graphic novel which serves as both a crossover between the comic and the BBCA/Netflix TV show, as well as a prequel to the first season. Dirk comes face to face with his other self and another life in which he is not as alone, and has to decide whether to stay in this other world, or go home...

Ed, Dalek and Nemo discuss the first volume of the 2016-2017 Dirk Gently comic book story, The Salmon of Doubt; an ambitious graphic novel which serves as both a crossover between the comic and the BBCA/Netflix TV show, as well as a prequel to the first season. Dirk and Sally Mills find themselves in a parallel timeline in the United States, in which Dirk is not the only one with holistic abilities... Meanwhile Dirk's cat Bernice is kidnapped, leading Professor Reg Chronotis and Issac Newton to go on a dimension-hopping quest to rescue the kitten from the insane Princess Kimberly. We also talk about some news regarding the animated show that the comic's writer, Arvind Ethan David, is working on.

Ed and Nemo discuss the Eighth and season finale episode of the 2016 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Two Sane Guys Doing Normal Things. Dirk goes a bit loopy from his injuries, whilst Todd struggles just to stay conscious, Lydia finally returns to her original human body, Farah and Estevez get into a shootout with Gordon, Amanda and the Rowdy 3 wreck a Swat team, and Friedkin puts a sinister plan into action... We also give out our season awards at the end. (Hence why this episode is extra long!)

Ed, Dalek and Nemo discuss the seventh episode of the 2016 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Weaponized Soul.  Dirk and Todd travel back into the day of the first episode to try and save Patrick Spring from being murdered. But as the true nature of Patrick Spring and his machines comes to light, they discover that certain things can't be changed...

Ed and Nemo discuss the sixth episode of the 2016 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series. Fix Everything. Todd finally confesses the truth to Amanda, Dirk and Bart have a fateful confrontation, Estevez goes off the deep end, and Gordon Rimmer hasn't got a clue what's going on anymore.

Ed and Nemo discuss the fifth episode of the 2016 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Very Erectus. Bart and Ken finally arrive in Seattle, Dirk and Todd go on an eventful trip to Skadget Valley, Farah tails Estevez and Zimmerfield as they make a shocking discovery, and Amanda takes a trip in the van of the Rowdy 3.

Ed, Nemo and guest Rob discuss the fourth episode of the 2016 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Watkin. Dirk and Todd find themselves having to survive 3 death traps in a subterranean death maze, Amanda and Farah are confronted by a very strange FBI Agent, and Gordon ties up a loose end. We also talk about the recently announced Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy TV series on Hulu.

Ed and Nemo discuss the third episode of the 2016 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Rogue Wall Enthusiasts. Gordon Rimmer struggles to deal with the discovery of Lux Dujour's dead body, Dirk and Farah discover many hidden secrets behind a wall in the Spring Mansion, Estevez and Zimmerfield interrogate Todd about selling his band's equipment behind their back, whilst Bart and Ken are captured by some nasty bikers, and Riggins tries in vain to convince Dirk to return for a "debriefing" at Blackwing. (And why not? It's only been 16 years...) We also talk in a bit more detail about the recent verified testimonies against showrunner Max Landis.

Ed, Nemo and special guest Evan talk about the second episode of the 2016 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Lost and Found. Farah finally gets a decent introduction, Dirk and Todd accidentally burn down Gordon Rimmer's house and throw his dog off a bridge, whilst Bart and Ken debate whether or not to kill a seemingly innocent biker. Plus we finally meet the often forgotten main villain of the entire show: The basketball from Castaway. (WILSON!!!)

Ed, Nemo, Dalek and special guest Nika tackle the first episode of the 2016 BBC America/Netflix Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency TV series, Horizons; does it hold up well 3 years later? What did we make of our first introductions to Dirk, Todd, Farah and co.? We also talk about the controversial showrunner of the series, Max Landis, as well as the recent news of Arvind Ethan David revealing concept art for a Dirk Gently animated series continuation/spinoff.

Ed, Nemo, Dalek and Caen look at the second Dirk Gently comic: Arvind Ethan David's A Spoon too short from 2016, which sees Dirk travel to sub-saharan Africa to solve a case involving inter-dimensional communication poachers. Dirk also experiences several dreams which hints at a different backstory for Dirk, tying into the then-imminent BBC America TV show. We also discuss the story's explicit political message, the return of Sally Mills and Susan Way, and a new one page comic story which Arvind Ethan David released recently.

In the first of a series of interviews, we talk to the director of the Kings Langley production of the Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency play, Sally-Anne Rafferty, about the tightly-knit but welcoming world of Am-Dram, her introduction to Douglas Adams and Dirk Gently, the challenges of casting the lead role, and much more. A big thanks to the Kings Langley Players and Sally-Anne for taking the time out to talk with us; we had a great chat, and we hope that it's insightful and entertaining to listen to.

Ed, Nemo, Dalek and new guest Caen take a look at the first Dirk Gently comic from 2015, Chris Ryall's The Interconnectedness of all Kings, a now none-canon story in which Dirk travels to San Diego, gets tailed by a serial killer couple, finds a bunch of new assistants at a teashop, and has to stop a soul-stealing reborn Egyptian Mummy from killing everyone. The comic also features a character named Craig, who just like our recording bot of the same name, is really awesome. We discuss our feelings on it, both good and bad. (Though it must be said, mostly bad)

Ed and Nemo take a look at the third and final episode of the 2012 Dirk Gently series, following on from the earlier 2010 pilot of the same series. Clients of Dirk are being murdered, but Dirk is more concerned with an epic stand-off with his cleaner, getting a rich divorcee to go on a date with him, and an ex-con Dirk put behind bars who is now back on the loose....Meanwhile Dirk and MacDuff's relationship is tested to it's limits. We discuss whether the series went out on a high note, and the rumours of Stephen Mangan coming back to play Dirk some day.

Ed, Dalek and Nemo take a look at the second of three episodes from the BBC 4 Dirk Gently 2012 series, following on from the earlier 2010 pilot of the same series. This episode is set at St. Cedds College Cambridge, and follows Dirk and MacDuff as they search for a stolen android belonging to Dirk's beloved old don, Professor Jericho. But the Prof is hiding a dark secret surrounding Dirk's past...  Dirk also falls in love with a disabled girl called Jane, and we discuss if this is an earned romance or if it feels too much like wish-fulfilment.

Ed and Nemo take a look at the first of three episodes from the BBC 4 Dirk Gently 2012 series, following on from the earlier 2010 pilot of the same series. This episode features the Pentagon, conspiracy theories, horoscopes, and Dirk's obsessions with cheese, pizza and chaos. We also uncover an eerie similarity between the denouement of the episode and a dark episode from Douglas Adams' own life.

Ed, Nemo and Dalek re-unite to discuss the 2010 BBC 4 TV pilot of Dirk Gently, featuring Stephen Mangan as Dirk. Does it still hold up nearly ten years later as a modernised adaptation of the books, or does the lack of budget hold the show back? 

Ed and Nemo discuss the second radio series of Dirk Gently from BBC radio 4 in 2008, we compare more changes from adapting The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul into an audiobook, and look at the new cast members, including previous Adamsverse alumni Peter Davison, Laurel Leftkow and Stephen Moore.

Ed and Nemo discuss the first radio series of Dirk Gently from BBC radio 4 in 2007, and compare the changes made in the adapting the story from a book to a radio series, as well as discussing the standout performances of Harry Enfield, Billy Boyd, Olivia Coleman, and more.