The New Dirk Gently Show Is Nothing Like the Books, But It's Still a Blast

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency has all the makings of a new cult favorite: It's crammed with weird ideas, gore, crazy set pieces and a few charming moments. But you probably won't be able to enjoy it unless you stop thinking of it as a Douglas Adams adaptation. Yes, the BBC America show premiering tonight is based on a book duology by Adams, who also created the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series. But other than the basic concept--a "holistic detective" named Dirk who breezes around getting into weird situations and then ties all the threads together with a mixture of luck and intuition--this TV show has little in common with Adams' work. The tone, in particular, is miles away from Adams' absurd wit.