Original Hitchhikers Radio Scripts

I enjoyed this book from first page until last. How often does a book cause the reader to laugh out loud? It happened to me at least on every page. Not only does this book contain all of the original radio scripts and every episode (including a hilarious lost episode), but it has numerous eccentric "stage and sound directions" from the author throughout every episode. The book also contains many stories about the creations of some Hitch Hiker characters, story ideas, music, writing and recording process, direct from the author and creator of Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy. When I finished reading this book I realized how Douglas Adams took radio plays to another level and beyond. I would rate this 5 stars...and beyond.

If you like the radio plays and cannot remember the lines - this book is ideal for finding the quick quote you were looking for. And Hitch Hiker's is full of quotes. And if your HiFi doesn't work, reading this book gives you the radioplay buzzing in your head. Great book. Great little titbits you (didn't) want to know about the series.

I was exposed to this series in reverse!! I read the books, then saw the BBC shows, and finally heard the BBC radio show. There are subtle and not so subtle differences in all the different media, but they are all pure Douglas Adams!!! The radio scripts are an essential, and clarify (At least for me they did) many things that were not co clear. Not everyone is drawn to the scripts of the favorite shows/broadcasts, but as I have all the scripts for the Monty Python shows, it works for me. Especially if you are a fan of "British" humor, most of which lies in the dialog, it is pure delight to read through these scripts!!

As a longtime fan of Adam's Sci-Fi Comedy series, I was delighted to discover this book. It was a lot of fun to read, and offered much insight into the process behind the Original Hitchhiker's Guide Radio Show. And there are a few scenes that never made it to the novels. Douglas Adams is funny in any form, and this was no exception.

It's a shame that this book sems to be so hard to find. I was actually introduced to the Hitchhiker stories through the radio show (the audio recordings of which are probably even harder to find), which was a marvel of storytelling and sound effects when it came out (it still is, of course). Ultimately, the script book is a much better read if you have heard the original radio series, but even if you haven't, check it out (if you can). The scripts are written in true Douglas Adams style, with directions written in there that often don't have to do with the show itself (such as Adams' long description of the Bugblatter Beast of Traal), and it may be your only chance to learn about the Haggunenonns, the super-evolutionary race of aliens originally put in place of the rock group Disaster Area during the black stuntship scene. Be warned, however, since the series was written episodically, meaning that Adams never had any grand scheme for the show, and just wrote it as he went along (explains a lot, doesn't it?). You may think that the plot of the Restaurant at the End of the Universe was convoluted, but I thought it made perfect sense in comparison to the plot of the two radio series. Either way, it's a crazy ride, and worth every minute spent trying to make sense of it. If you consider yourself a HHG fan, then take it upon yourself to listen to the original radio series, and then read the scripts (which clarify it a good deal). Just make sure that you know where your towel is first.