Question about the Red Dwarf books.

[Kythe42]

For those of you that have read the Red Dwarf books, is it necessary to watch the show first?

I have seen the entire series, but it's been a few years and my memory of it is kind of vague. So I'm wondering if I should rewatch the show before reading the books?

[Steph]

A vague memory of the show is probably enough. I remember the books nodding towards various incidents from the show, but the stories were otherwise self-contained.

[William]

The books offered some back story, but Red Dwarf's lore overall is very very very loose. As my friend says 'nothing is important until it is.'

[Polenth]

I agree that knowledge of the show isn't really needed for the books. You may still find them confusing (as I had a friend who did watch the show and found the direction the books took confusing), but not because you needed to know something you could only get from the show.

[Kythe42]

Ok thanks for all the input guys. I think I might still watch the show first. If I decide to do so, it probably wouldn't take me too long as both the episodes and the seasons are short.