The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Original radio series

Main article: The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Primary and Secondary Phases

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The first radio series, of six episodes (called Fits, after an obscure term for a part of a poem) {{ref|MW_definition}} was broadcast in 1978 on BBC Radio 4. Despite a low-key launch of the series (the first episode was broadcast at 10:30 pm on Wednesday, 8 March 1978), it received generally good reviews, and a tremendous audience reaction for radio {{mn|Simpson2005|4}}. A one-off episode (a "Christmas special") was broadcast later in the year. The first series was repeated twice in 1978 alone and many more times in the next few years. This led to an LP re-recording, produced independently of the BBC for sale, and a further adaptation of the series as a book. A second radio series, bringing the total number of episodes to 12, was broadcast in 1980.

Related Topics:
First radio series - BBC Radio 4 - 8 March - LP re-recording - A book - Second radio series

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The radio series (and the LP and TV versions) greatly benefited from the commentary of noted radio comedy actor Peter Jones as The Book. His sonorous, avuncular tones undoubtedly gave the series a tremendous boost and firmly established the tenor of the piece.

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The series was also notable for its use of sound, being the first comedy series to be produced in stereo. Adams said that he wanted the programme's production to be comparable to that of a modern rock album. Much of the programme's budget was spent on sound effects, which were largely the work of Paddy Kingsland (for the pilot episode and the complete second series) and Dick Mills and Harry Parker for the remaining episodes (2-6) of the first series.

Related Topics:
Stereo - Paddy Kingsland - Dick Mills - Harry Parker

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The theme tune used for the radio, television, LP and film versions is "Journey of the Sorcerer", an instrumental piece composed by Bernie Leadon and recorded by The Eagles on their album One of These Nights. Only the transmitted radio series used the original recording; a soundalike cover by Tim Souster was used for the LP and TV series, another arrangement by Joby Talbot was used for the 2005 film, and still another arrangement, this time by Philip Pope, was recorded to be released with the CDs of the last three radio series. Apparently, Adams chose this song for its futuristic sounding nature, but also for the fact that it had a banjo in it, which as Geoffrey Perkins recalls, Adams said would give it an "on the road, hitch-hikey feel" {{mn|Adams2003|2}}.

Related Topics:
Instrumental - Bernie Leadon - The Eagles - One of These Nights - Tim Souster - Joby Talbot - Philip Pope - Last three radio series - Banjo - Geoffrey Perkins

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The twelve episodes were released on CD and cassette in 1988, becoming the first CD release in the BBC Radio Collection. They were re-released in 1992, and at this time Adams suggested that they could retitle Fits the First through Sixth as "The Primary Phase" and Fits the Seventh through Twelfth as "The Secondary Phase", instead of just "the first series" and "the second series" {{mn|Adams2003|2}}. It was about at this time that a "Tertiary Phase" was first discussed with Dirk Maggs, adapting Life, the Universe and Everything but this series would not be recorded for another ten years.

Related Topics:
CD - Cassette - Dirk Maggs - Life, the Universe and Everything

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Main cast:

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• Simon Jones as Arthur Dent
• Geoffrey McGivern as Ford Prefect
• Susan Sheridan as Trillian
• Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox
• Stephen Moore as Marvin the Paranoid Android
• Richard Vernon as Slartibartfast
• Peter Jones as The Book