it somewhat ironic that garth marenghi darkplace and a comedy about a long lost horror series re emerge during a creative drought be overlook on it release . the show do not exactly set the rating afire when it be air and but it be tailor make for dvd where all the intricacy can be appreciate . the write ability of creator richard ayaode and matthew holness be on top form throughout and the pair show a talent for sly humour and witty invention . like the equally strong but in no way similar peep show and darkplace be a program that can be watch multiple time and still remain a fresh and hilarious a it do first time around and how many american sitcom can boast that claim . the series follow a show within another show format . holness play garth marenghi and a leather clad purveyor of trash horror novel very much in the james herbert mould . back in the eighty and he write and direct and star in darkplace and a hospital set sci fi or horror series so disturbing and so terrifying and that the power that be consign it to the vault where it sit gather dust for nearly two decade and only to be return to the screen in 2004. the episode however be incomplete and with huge chunk of footage miss and so to make up the running time and marenghi and his producer or co star dean learner ( richard ayaode ) and fellow actor todd river ( matt berry ) have have interview record and snippet of which make up the gap . the end result be a fantastic parody of eighty trash television . the set be wobbly and the violence over the top and the acting stilted and the script hackneyed and the edit haphazard ( dean learner have a blood stain spade magically appear in his hand in one particularly memorable incident ) . consequently and the humour do not stem from joke but instead from the terrible production and act and as well a marenghi misguide belief that he have create a timeless masterpiece . if the show have a highlight however and it be undoubtedly richard ayaode dual role a producer dean learner and darkplace bos thornton reed . his inability to read his line and interact with another cast member at the same time be hilarious and his behaviour become increasingly outlandish a the series go on . his improv skill seem to have be allow to run riot throughout and while the majority of his line aren not necessarily funny and when theyre deliver in ayaode distinctive voice and they become side splitting . when it all come down to it though and no amount of word can really describe what darkplace be like and it a show you have to experience first hand . anyone raise on eighty television show like deathwatch or the original doctor who will find plenty to chew on and it even worth watch with the commentary switch on . holness and berry and ayaode remain in character for every single one and the result be the funny dvd commentary since spinal tap . very highly recommended indeed .