Douglas Adams (1952–2001) was an English humorist and writer who worked in the mediums of radio, television, theatre, literature and video games. Unless otherwise noted, he was credited as the sole writer of the following works (posthumous releases are marked with a dagger†). Also included are adaptations of Adams' work by other writers, released both within his lifetime and after his death.
Literature
Novels TitleYearFirst edition publisherNotesThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy1979Pan BooksAdapted from the radio seriesThe Restaurant at the End of the Universe1980Life, the Universe and Everything1982Based on rejected Doctor Who film script Doctor Who and the KrikkitmenSo Long, and Thanks for All the Fish1984Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency1987William Heinemann LtdThe Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul1988Mostly Harmless1992
Short stories TitleYearFirst published inFirst edition publisherNotes"The Private Life of Genghis Khan"1986The Utterly Utterly Merry Comic Relief Christmas BookBased on a 1975 sketch by Adams and Graham Chapman from Out of the Trees"A Christmas Fairly Story"Collaboration with Terry Jones"Young Zaphod Plays It Safe"Part of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series; revised by Adams for The Wizards of Odd (1996)
Other works TitleYearFirst edition publisherNotesThe Meaning of Liff1983Pan Books, Faber & FaberCo-written with John LloydThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: The Original Radio Scripts1985Pan BooksSupplement to The Meaning of Liff1986Co-written with John Lloyd and Stephen FryThe Deeper Meaning of Liff1990Pan Books, Faber & FaberCo-written with John LloydLast Chance to See1990William Heinemann LtdCo-written with Mark Carwardine; companion book to the radio series of the same nameThe Salmon of Doubt†2002Macmillan PublishersTen chapters of unfinished novel; includes short stories, essays, and interviews by Adams42: The Wildly Improbable Ideas of Douglas Adams†2023UnboundCollection of Adams' notes and essays; edited by Kevin Jon Davies
Contributor TitleYearFirst edition publisherNotesA Liar's Autobiography: Volume VI1980Eyre Methuen LtdCo-written with Graham Chapman, David Sherlock, Alex Martin and David YallopNot the Nine O'Clock NewsReceived a writing credit (amongst many other writers) for various gags created in FootlightsNot 19821981Not 19831982The Utterly Utterly Merry Comic Relief Christmas Book1986Co-edited with Peter Fincham; also contributed three short stories (see above)
Adaptations of Adams' work into literary form TitleYearFirst edition publisherNotesDouglas Adams's Starship Titanic: A Novel1997Written by Terry Jones; based on Adams' Starship TitanicThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Radio Scripts: The Tertiary, Quandary and Quintessential Phases†2005Pan Books"As dramatized, directed and annotated by Dirk Maggs from the novels by Douglas Adams"And Another Thing...†2009Penguin BooksWritten by Eoin Colfer; sixth and final novel in the Hitchhiker's Guide series Stage productions TitleYearDebut venueNotesChox1974Footlights' 1974 May Week Revue; Adams contributed various sketches with co-writers Will Adams and Martin SmithParadise Mislaid1975Footlights' 1975 May Week Revue; Used existing material from Adams, Will Adams and Martin SmithUnpleasantness at Brodie's Close1976Edinburgh Festival FringeCo-written with John Lloyd and David Renwick; Loosely based on The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers Radio and soundtrack +TitleYearBroadcaster or PublisherNotesRef.The Album of the Soundtrack of the Trailer of the Film of Monty Python and the Holy Grail1975Contributed to the sketch "Marilyn Monroe"The Burkiss WayThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Primary and Secondary Phases)1978–1980"Fit the Fifth" and "Fit the Sixth" were co-written by John Lloyd.The Internet: The Last Battleground of the 20th century1999The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Future2000
Audio adaptations of Adams' work TitleYearBroadcasterNotesRef.Shada†2003Released as both webcast and audio dramaThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Tertiary, Quandary and Quintessential Phases)†2004–2005Adapted by Dirk Maggs from Adams' third, fourth and fifth Hitchhiker's novelsDirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency†2007–2008BBC Radio 4Based on the first two Dirk Gently books; adapted by Dirk Maggs Television TitleEpisode or SerialYearBroadcasterNotesMonty Python's Flying Circus"Party Political Broadcast on Behalf of the Liberal Party"1974BBC TwoThe sketch "Patient Abuse"; co-written with Graham ChapmanOut of the Trees1976Co-written with Graham Chapman and Bernard McKennaDoctor on the Go"For Your Own Good"1977ITVCo-written with Graham Chapman Doctor on the Go was broadcast on ITV.Not Now, I'm Listening(broadcast 21 May)1978Wrote one sketchDoctor WhoThe Pirate PlanetBBC One4 episodesDestiny of the Daleks19794 episodes; uncredited rewrites on Terry Nation's scriptCity of Death4 episodes; co-written with Graham Williams, from an original storyline by David Fisher, and credited to "David Agnew"Shada6 episodes; filming was not completed due to industrial action at the BBCDoctor Snuggles"The Great Disappearing Mystery"ITVCo-written with John Lloyd"The Remarkable Fidgety River"The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy1981BBC TwoAdapted from the first radio seriesDoctor Who"The Five Doctors"1983BBC OneUses scenes filmed for Shada; Adams was not creditedHyperland1990BBC Two"Fantasy documentary"The South Bank Show(broadcast 5 January)1992 Television adaptations of Adams' work TitleYearBroadcasterNotesChox1974Filmed version of Footlights' 1974 May Week Revue (see above)Dirk Gently†2010–2012BBC FourBased on the Dirk Gently seriesDirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency†2016–2017BBC AmericaDoctor Who: The Lost Episode†2018Partly-animated reconstruction of Shada
Video games +TitleYearPublisherNotesRef.The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy1984InfocomCo-created with Steve MeretzkyBureaucracy1987Starship Titanic1998Co-written with Michael Bywater and Neil Richards. Additional dialogue written by D. A. Barham.
Film TitleYearDistributorNotesThe Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy†2005Buena Vista Pictures DistributionPosthumous release, co-written with Karey Kirkpatrick
Digital projects TitleYearFirst edition publisherNotesh2g21999As creator. Open source, online, comic encyclopaedia
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