ShadeGrenade In the autumn of 1991, B.B.C-2 enjoyed surprising ratings success with networked repeats of Gerry Anderson's 'Thunderbirds'. They followed this up with 'Stingray' and 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.', as well as several shows from the I.T.C. stable, including 'U.F.O.', 'The Champions' and 'Randall & Hopkirk ( Deceased ). It was to tap into this vogue for retro action telly that inspired 'Fast Show' creator Charlie Higson to revive the latter. He made several changes, such as turning Jeannie into Marty's girlfriend instead of his wife, and giving a ghostly world for Hopkirk to inhabit, presided over by the all-wise spirit mentor 'Wyvern' ( Tom Baker ). When I heard that Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer had been cast as the leads, my blood ran cold. To make matters worse, they had ( so I felt ) been given the wrong roles - Reeves would have made a superb 'Jeff', while Mortimer should have been 'Marty'. I was not really looking forward to the show. But I changed my mind after viewing the first episode. 'Drop Dead' was loosely based on 'My Late Lamented Friend & Partner', but had more humour. Vic and Bob were better than expected, though not actors as such. The gorgeous Emilia Fox set the television alight as 'Jeannie' though. Guest-stars in the series included Sir Derek Jacobi, Charles Dance, Gareth Thomas, David Tennant, Hugh Laurie, and Jessica Stevenson. Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, the late Mike Pratt made a cameo in one episode! I think what Higson really wanted to do was to essentially remake 'The Avengers'. It explains why his version of 'Randall & Hopkirk ( Deceased ) had the the same quirky surrealism as Steed and Mrs.Peel's adventures combined with a dose of supernatural fantasy. After an excellent first series, 'R & H ( Dec ) returned a year later, but the stories were less amusing and inventive. Viewers lost interest quickly. However, it can now be seen as having paved the way for Russell T. Davies' successful 2005 revival of 'Dr.Who'.

JohnOD I loved the old Randall and Hopkirk, and while Vic does a pretty good job as cheeky dead Marty, Bob Mortimer simply cannot act, and this gets in the way of the story. The special effects tend to take over a bit, and Charlie Higson's cameo in every episode of the second series is superciliously annoying. In short, it's pretty and unchallenging eye-candy. It'll go down a storm in America, once they dub the voices, of course

Patrick OConnor The new Randall and Hopkirk(deceased) blows the original away. It is slick, stylish and cool in its retro way. Vic and Bob are perfect as Randall and Hopkirk, and the innovative story-lines hold the interest. With the superb special effects, good cinematography, and tight direction it is safe to say this series will go on for many years. I for one am glad of that.

ajrfx There's very little to say about this series that's not negative. It was a good idea, but Vic and Bob just can't pull it off when they're required to act, proving once again they are not Morecambe and Wise. Reeves seems to make no effort to act, he looks slightly drunk and bored, whilst Mortimer looks uncomfortable in the role of the straight man. A combination that's very dull and not funny. This isn't helped by the overall smug attitude of the production. They must assume simplistic plots, overacting and one dimensional characters are enjoyable Saturday evening viewing. The direction is flat, the dodgy camera work and pseudo-experimental editing are irritating and there was absolutely no need for all the flashy and poor digital effects work. The ghost world looks like Vic Reeves and Tom Baker in front of a blue screen and the vanishing/ appearing gag is totally overplayed. Most of all, however, it's neither funny or exciting, so what was Charlie Higson thinking of when he thought he could write all the episodes.Hopefully the BBC will learn that we viewers deserve better home grown Sci-fi comedy/drama and don't give this a second series.