Magrathea Closed

[coalescent]

Did I miss the flurry of posts about this?

In late 2004 I resolved to stop writing about Hitchhiker's Guide after 6th May 2005, which was at that time the projected release date for the film. I have told plenty of people about this decision over the past few months. I had intended to keep Planet Magrathea going beyond then because I know that a lot of people find it a useful site and it just about pays for itself through Amazon and Google links.

As of today I have decided to just say 'sod it' and pack the whole thing in.

Dated the 17th, and seems to be at least partly related to the reaction to his review of the film.

Even the Beeb mentions it in its report on the premiere:

Mr Simpson is a journalist with a passion for science fiction and the work of Douglas Adams.

He has written books, visited the set of the film and runs a website dedicated to the Hitchhiker's Guide. He also got to see the film and he did not like it.

His review is beyond comprehensive, it is a scene by scene dissection of a movie he wanted to love but felt deeply let down by. Much of the detail which he had loved for so many years was missing.

Some of the jokes had been changed and new ones added. His website was bombarded with 70,000 hits in one day.

Some agreed with him but many others were appalled and it had an impact on MJ Simpson.

He has now said that his website is being closed and he will never write another word about Douglas Adams.

Seems a shame.