Editing Red Dwarf (section)

===Critical reception===
The changes made to the series' cast, setting, creative teams and even production values from series to series have meant that opinions differ greatly between fans and critics as to the quality of each series.<ref name="screenonline: Red Dwarf"/> In the "Great Red Dwarf Debate," published in Volume 2, Issue 3 of the ''Red Dwarf Smegazine'', science fiction writers Steve Lyons and Joe Nazarro argue about the pros and cons of the early series versus the later series. Lyons states that the show "once had was a unique balance of sci-fi comedy, which worked magnificently." Nazarro agrees that "the first two series are very original and very funny," but goes on to say that "it wasn't until series III that the show hit its stride."<ref name="GreatDebate">{{cite magazine |url=https://archive.org/details/red_dwarf_smegazine-1993-06/page/n37 |title=The Great Red Dwarf Debate |first1=Steve |last1=Lyons |first2=Joe |last2=Nazzaro |date=July 1993 |magazine=Red Dwarf Smegazine |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=38–39 |publisher=Fleetway Editions Ltd |issn=0965-5603 |access-date=29 October 2019}}</ref> Discussions revolve around the quality of Series VI, seen by one reviewer as just as good as the earlier series',<ref name="Series VI review at Sci-Fi Weekly"/> but criticised by another reviewer as a descent into formulaic comedy with an unwelcome change of setting.<ref name="Red Dwarf VI review by Gavrielle">{{cite web |url=http://www.reviewsbygavrielle.com/dwarf3.shtml |first=Gavrielle |last=Perry |title=The Good Dwarf Guide: Series III |website=ReviewsByGavrielle.com |access-date=1 February 2008 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080304060002/http://www.reviewsbygavrielle.com/dwarf3.shtml |archive-date=4 March 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

The changes seen in Series VII disappointed some; while much slicker and higher-budget in appearance, the shift away from outright sitcom and into something approaching [[comedy drama]] was seen by one reviewer as a move in the wrong direction.<ref name="series VII review at DVD Active">{{cite web |url=http://www.dvdactive.com/reviews/dvd/red-dwarf-vii.html |title=Red Dwarf VII UK - DVD R2 |website=DVD Active.com |access-date=11 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081011075340/http://www.dvdactive.com/reviews/dvd/red-dwarf-vii.html |archive-date=11 October 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The attempt to shift back into traditional sitcom format for Series VIII was greeted with a response that was similarly lukewarm.<ref name="screenonline: Red Dwarf"/> There was criticism aimed at the decision to resurrect the entire crew of ''Red Dwarf'', as it was felt this detracted from the series' central premise of Lister being the last human being alive.<ref name="Series VIII review at Sci-Fi Weekly"/> There are other critics who feel that Series VII and VIII are no weaker than the earlier series, however,<ref name="TV Reviews at SciFi.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue457/screen2.html |title=Red Dwarf Series VII DVD |first=Paul |last=Di Filippo |website=Sci-Fi Weekly |access-date=11 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070703001116/http://www.scifi.com/sfw/issue457/screen2.html |archive-date=3 July 2007}}</ref><ref name="series Reviews at DVD Direct">{{cite web |url=https://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/reddwarfseries58.php |title=Red Dwarf: Series 5-8 |first=Bill |last=Gibron |date=7 June 2006 |website=DVD Verdict.com |access-date=11 February 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080119032101/http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/reddwarfseries58.php |archive-date=19 January 2008 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> and the topic is the subject of constant fervent debate among the show's fanbase.<ref name="screenonline: Red Dwarf">{{cite web |url=http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/560214/index.html |title=Red Dwarf (1988-99) |first=Alec |last=Worley |website=[[Screenonline]] |access-date=11 February 2008 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071213224421/http://www.screenonline.org.uk/tv/id/560214/index.html |archive-date=13 December 2007 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>