Radio 4 Extra is to celebrate the 42nd anniversary of the first episode of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy next week.

The number, of course, correspondents to the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe and everything – as well as the number of times this ‘mostly harmless’ planet has circled its small unregarded yellow sun in the uncharted backwaters of the unfashionable end of the Western Spiral arm of the galaxy since Douglas Adams’ sci-fi comedy was first broadcast on Radio 4 on March 8 1978.

Over five hours on that date this year, comedians Dan Mersh and Helen Keen will be talking all about the show and introducing several new programmes:

We Love H2G2: Brian Cox, Robin Ince, Lucy Porter, Angela Barnes and Neil Sleat share their affection for Douglas Adams’ sci-fi comedy.

Vogon Poetry Extra: The poet Daljit Nagra discusses Vogon Poetry. Should it be lauded as the third worse poetry in the universe?

Geoffrey McGivern: The original Ford Prefect talks to Dn Mersh and Keen.

No Such Thing as a Babel Fish: The QI Elves and fact hunters, Dan Schreiber and Andrew Hunter Murray, investigate some of Douglas Adams’spredictions and inventions.

Why 42? The stand-up mathematician Matt Parker, from Festival of the Spoken Nerd, delves into the rich significance of the number 42.

Bookclub: Douglas Adams A special edition of the regular show

In addition to the evening of special programming, there will also be a special Podcast Radio Hour on Friday March 6, exploring the best sci-fi comedy podcasts, while series 2 to 6 of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy will air every Saturday at 6pm from March 14.

Published: 28 Feb 2020