"Randall & Hopkirk (Deceased)" (2000) TV series 2000-2001

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Seasons:

1 | 2

Release Date:

18 March 2000 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Fantasy | Mystery

Plot:

Randall and Hopkirk are detective partners with a difference - one of them is a ghost!

Plot Keywords:

Remake | Homosexual Subtext | Compulsive Viewing | Crisps | Cult Comedy

Cast

Vic Reeves	...	Marty Hopkirk (13 episodes, 2000-2001)
Bob Mortimer	...	Jeff Randall (13 episodes, 2000-2001)
Charlie Higson	...	Bulstrode / ... (12 episodes, 2000-2001)
Emilia Fox	...	Jeannie (11 episodes, 2000-2001)
Tom Baker	...	Prof. Wyvern (10 episodes, 2000-2001)
Melissa Knatchbull	...	Wendy Gill / ... (5 episodes, 2000-2001)

Runtime:

UK:50 min (13 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Filming Locations:

Dulwich College, Dulwich, London, England, UK

Company:

Ghost Productions

Trivia:

Many of the close ups of Jeff's hands during the series were performed by writer/producer/directer Charlie Higson, because Bob Mortimer's badly bitten fingernails were deemed unscreenworthy. According to Charlie Higson, 'Bob's hands are not that attractive. Mine, however, are quite gorgeous.'

Quotes:

Assassin: Turn around, Mrs Hurst. I want to see your face as you die.
Jeannie: How would you like me? Contorted with fear? How about bravely defying it? Or maybe just... laughing.
Assassin: What's so funny?
Jeannie: The fact that Felia's about to shoot you in the arse.
Assassin: I'm not falling for that one.
Jeannie: [laughing] You should.
Assassin: [gunshot] Aaah!

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Comedy Connections: The Fast Show (#4.1)" (2006)

Two Detectives: One's Alive and One's Not

I've only seen three episodes of *Randall and Hopkirk, Deceased* on BBCAmerica, but so far I ***love*** it. This is a VERY funny show, yet the humor (unlike most comedies, these days) comes from the situation--not at the expense of the characters. These characters are LIKABLE--Jeff Randall is sweet, and lovable, and very much someone you'd like to see happy and successful. But Jeff has a problem--he's an INCOMPETENT detective, who's partner is now dead, and haunts him as a ghost. As ghoulish as the concept sounds, it's actually a very funny series--one sympathises a lot with Jeff.

Marty, Jeff's now dead partner brings a great deal of energy to his part--he's a ghost who needs training wheels, since he hasn't quite got the hang of things yet. Tom Baker plays, Wyrvnn (and I know that's probably spelled wrong)--a spirit who is trying to teach Marty the ropes of being a ghost.

Then there's Jeannie--Marty's fiancée (Marty died on their wedding day). Jeff's falling in love with her; but neither wants to betray Marty's memory.

Jeannie cannot see Marty--only Jeff can. Jeannie has also maneuvered her way into Jeff's business, becoming his new detective-partner. (Jeannie is, at least, much more competent at detective work than either Jeff or Marty).

Anyway--great series, lots of fun. Extremely funny, but with sympathetic characters. Definitely a winner! Oh, and it *is* a re-make of a late 60s/early 70s series--but I've never seen that version, so I can't comment on it.