# Red Dwarf

20 Hacker News commenters recommended Red Dwarf and 2 criticized it, November 2025 to November 2026. It was recommended in 5 of 13 months. It meets the Hacker Approved badge rule.

**Verdict:** People recommend it for its British humour, sci-fi premise and nostalgia, with the early seasons' practical effects praised. Critics say the later seasons are uneven and it is harder to watch now.

## Why people recommend it

- Fond nostalgia and memories of the show (4 comments): "When I was a teenager, I was a big fan of the show (and books), Red Dwarf" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49106984)) "I used to devour those and laughed and laughed and laughed." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49014248)) "Loved the show back in its heyday" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47185203))
- Strong later seasons and episodes (4 comments): "there are more than a few bangers in the later seasons" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47186000)) "The concept also made a great Red Dwarf episode." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48390698)) "Season 12 is particularly good though." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47186825))
- Practical effects and industrial look (2 comments): "The practical effects in the early seasons were truly fantastic. It was never quite the same after they switched to cgi." ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47187500)) "the genius was in having the ship be an ugly industrial environment" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47187704))
- Blend of British humor and sci-fi (2 comments): "created a deep appreciation both for British humor and funny sci-fi" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47184968)) "a compelling and thought-provoking sci-fi action-adventure all at the same time" ([source](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47185320))

## Alternatives hackers recommend

- [The Office](https://hackerapproved.com/p/office.md): 23 recommend
- [Utopia (Australian comedy TV series)](https://hackerapproved.com/p/utopia.md): 14 recommend
- [Yes Minister](https://hackerapproved.com/p/yes-minister.md): 9 recommend
- [It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia](https://hackerapproved.com/p/it-s-always-sunny-in-philadelphia.md): 9 recommend
- [Yes, Prime Minister](https://hackerapproved.com/p/yes-prime-minister.md): 6 recommend

## Cite as

Hacker Approved, "Red Dwarf", https://hackerapproved.com/p/red-dwarf/ (counts from 1,795,640 Hacker News comments, November 2025 to November 2026).