HaveYouSeen? ‘Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace’

There was something about low-budget sci-fi and horror productions in the '80s that gave them a certain charm.

The era was marked with TV shows and movies hampered by a lack of production value and bad acting but were made entertaining by genuine enthusiasm.

This quality is usually referred to as "camp," and it usually comes unintentionally. Whenever most people have attempted to intentionally create a campy production, they tend to fail miserably.

One notable exception is the short-lived 2004 British series "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace," which manages to create perfect comedy with its manufactured camp.

Comedian Matthew Holness plays a parody of "mastermind" horror authors named Garth Marenghi.

Despite the fact that Marenghi's books are critically panned, he still believes he is one of the most amazing literary minds in history.

Fueling the fire being his ego is publisher Dean Learner (Richard Ayoade), who has funded many of Marenghi's productions.

Holness and Ayoade created these characters in a variety of stage shows, until moving them to the small screen on the UK's Channel 4.

The premise behind "Darkplace" is that Learner and Marenghi produced a low-budget sci-fi series called "Darkplace" back in the '80s that never managed to hit the airwaves (except in Peru).

After what Marenghi describes as "one of the greatest artistic droughts in history," the series was selected to be re-aired, so people can finally appreciate his genius.

Marenghi also stars in the show, which takes place in a hospital that sees quite a bit of paranormal activity, thanks to the fact that it is located right above a gate to Hell.

Each episode show's Marenghi's character, Dr. Rick Dagless, squaring off against another evil force – each one more ridiculous than the last.

Along with interviews from Marenghi, Ayoade and co-star Todd Bridges (played by British comedy favorite Matt Berry), each episode feels so much like a product of the '80s that it's hard to believe that the show was shot in 2004.

Even though others have failed in intentionally generating "so-bad-it's-good" comedy, "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" is not only hilarious but surprisingly authentic.

In fact, every aspect of the show-within-the-show feels like it's a reality not just a clever facade created by the UK's top comedic minds.

Even the editing screams of the '80s, with intentional continuity errors, analog defects and poorly timed overdubs.

While the premise for the show is something that I would consider brilliant, it didn't manage to bring in high ratings and was cancelled after its first six-episode run.

Fortunately, "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" has found a home in America and is currently being replayed on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim block every Saturday at 1:30 a.m.

Also, the DVD release takes the fictional world of Garth Marenghi one step further, with Holness, Ayoade and Berry all appearing in character to provide commentary on every episode.

Unfortunately, the disc has yet to see a release on these shores, so fans of the show have to import the DVD and have a region-free player to join in on the fun.

Anyone who hasn't had the chance to see "Garth Marenghi's Darkplace" should definitely give it a shot before it's pulled from the Adult Swim lineup, as it might be the most underrated cult show to come out in the past decade.

Grade: A+