Watch The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a science-fiction comedy series based on the radio show and book series of the same name by author Douglas Adams. The show premiered on BBC America in 1981 and ran for six episodes. It stars Sandra Dickinson as Trillian, Mark Wing-Davey as Zaphod Beeblebrox, Simon Jones as Arthur Dent, David Dixon as Ford Prefect, Stephen Moore as the voice of Marvin the Paranoid Android, David Learner as Marvin's costume operator, and Peter Jones as the voice of the guide itself.

The story follows the misadventures of Arthur Dent, a completely ordinary human being who is saved from the destruction of Earth by his friend, Ford Prefect, who turns out to be an alien visiting the planet. Ford takes Arthur on a wild ride through space, where they encounter various strange and amusing people, including the two-headed, three-armed President of the Galaxy, Zaphod Beeblebrox, and Trillian, the only other human survivor of Earth's destruction. Along the way, they consult the titular Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, an electronic travel guide that provides helpful (though often absurd) advice and information.

The humor of the series is very British and very dry, with a heavy emphasis on wordplay and absurdism. The characters are all somewhat ridiculous, but endearing in their own ways. Arthur is a quintessentially British everyman, bewildered and out of his depth in the strange world of space travel. Ford is a sardonic and somewhat jaded alien who seems to know a lot more than he's letting on. Zaphod is a flamboyant and self-absorbed adventurer who is convinced that he's the most important person in the universe. Trillian is intelligent and level-headed, but often gets sidelined by the (mostly male) characters around her. And Marvin... well, Marvin is depressed.

The show's production values are somewhat dated by modern standards, but part of the charm of the series is its low-budget, homemade feel. Many of the alien creatures are clearly people in rubber suits, but that only adds to the absurdity of the whole thing. The show's special effects are delightfully low-tech, with models and stop-motion animation used to create spaceships and other sci-fi visuals.

Despite its low budget and dated effects, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy has endured as a cult classic thanks to its sharp wit and offbeat humor. The show's creator, Douglas Adams, was a master of absurdist comedy, and the series captures his unique voice and sense of humor perfectly. The characters are all memorable and endearing, and even the most outlandish sci-fi concepts are treated with a sense of joy and wonder.

Overall, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy is a delightful and hilarious romp through space, full of bizarre creatures, oddball characters, and clever jokes. It's a must-watch for anyone who loves sci-fi, comedy, or just plain weirdness. Fans of the book series will appreciate the faithful adaptation, while newcomers will find plenty to enjoy in this one-of-a-kind gem of British television.

The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy is a series that ran for 1 seasons (6 episodes) between January 5, 1981 and on BBC America