"Salmon of doubt" on radio but without Dirk Maggs

The british magazine "The Stage" has announced that "Spice World writer Kim Fuller has been enlisted to adapt and complete Douglas Adams’ final and unfinished Dirk Gently novel for BBC Radio 4.

The writer will use information provided in the existing chapters of The Salmon of Doubt - which Adams was working on at the time of his death - to create a six-part drama, which will be the third in a trilogy of Dirk Gently series ordered by Radio 4 from production company Above the Title in 2007.

Fuller, who as well as writing the Spice Girls movie was behind the BBC’s S Club 7 series Miami 7, was brought in to adapt The Salmon of Doubt after Dirk Maggs, who penned the previous two Dirk Gently outings, parted ways with the production company at the end of last year. "

I'm not really sure that it is a good news to tell the truth. The previous Dirk Gently series have been written by Dirk Maggs, a great writer and director well known for his work on radio and who also wrote and directed the three last Hitchhiker's radio series. He knew perfectly well Douglas Adams' unique work.

"Salmon of doubt" is an unfinished book and the new writer would have quite a fair amount of new writing to do.

And if that Fuller has already done a lot of writing, it doesn't seem to be that good.

You can check his work on imdb at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0298279/

He wrote an episode of "red dwarf" and stuff for "spitting image" but it's the closer we can get from Hitchhikers. He wrote "spice world" and things that seem dreadfull like "from justin to kelly"!! WHY and HOW did they choose him? A curious choice after Dirk Maggs.

Anyway, if it's really bad, Radio 4 won't broadcast the new series... At least, I hope so.

You can read the article on The Stage's website here

Bad news. Dirk Maggs won't make "the salmon of doubt" radio series

Dirk Maggs who succesfully adapted and directed the three new phases of the Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy radio series, the two Dirk Gently books, has decided he won't write and direct the last Dirk Gently radio series which was going to be based on the unfinished "salmon of doubt".

Dirk Maggs finally decided to cancel his contact with Above The Tittle which produced the new Hitchhiker's radio series and the Dirk Gently radio series for BBC 4.

It is of course awfully bad news. The last Dirk Gently radio series was scheduled for a broadcast next year and is probably going to be cancelled as I don't think an other director could do Dirk Magg's writing and directing job.

Here is the letter he sent to our friends of the DAC (douglas adams continuum) :

"Dear DAC

I have found it necessary to terminate my contract with Above The Title Productions, to write and direct Dirk Gently Series 3.

I am very relieved to move on, though sad not to realise the conclusion I was working towards for Douglas's unfinished trilogy.

I'd like to say particular thanks to members of the Continuum for their warmth, humour and honest criticism in the past, it has been much appreciated and great fun.

I'm happily moving on to lots of new ventures in various media, including BBC radio comedy and drama through Perfectly Normal Productions.

All best wishes for the future - and thanks again, froods.

yours ever Dirk"