The Rimmer Experience

The Rimmer Experience is a sequence from the UK science fiction comedy series Red Dwarf, appearing in the fifth episode of the seventh series, "Blue".

The Rimmer Experience is akin to a roller-coaster ride. The participants (Lister, Kryten, Kochanski and the Cat) are taken in a small car along a track, while viewing video and audio simulations made by Kryten based on Rimmer's diaries. Kryten suggests that they ride the Experience when Lister reveals that he's beginning to miss Rimmer (who has left to become Ace Rimmer.) The purpose of the Experience is to snap Lister out of his false, nostalgic memories of Rimmer and remind him of Rimmer's true nature.

The Experience begins by travelling through a large pair of fairground-style doors. A huge Rimmer head speaks to the three viewers about the heroism in the events that follow, and the remarkable nature of the man (himself) featured in them.

This is followed by a simulation of the Starbug cockpit, in which Rimmer corrects Kryten about the nature of asteroid belts, and Lister and the Cat tremble in fear. The second simulation is of Rimmer giving the Cat fashion tips, followed by Lister saying that he owes his life to Rimmer.

The Experience culminates in what is popularly known as the Rimmer Munchkin Song. This is sung by a chorus of Arnold Rimmer puppets, which also perform a marching sort of dance at the same time. The puppets, or Munchkins as they are popularly known (after the singing Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz) wear uniforms identical to Rimmer's in red and blue.

They are accompanied by an unseen choir chorus, a xylophone and an unidentified brass instrument.

By the end of The Experience, Lister is so fed up he declares "I never want to see or hear from that scum-sucking, lying, weasel-minded smegger, in my entire life."

Lyrics to the Rimmer Song

If you're in trouble he will save the day
He's brave and he's fearless come what may
Without him the mission would go astray

He's Arnold, Arnold, Arnold Rimmer
Without him, life would be much grimmer
He's handsome, trim, and no one's slimmer
He will never need a Zimmer

He's Arnold, Arnold, Arnold Rimmer
More reliable than a garden Strimmer
He's never been mistaken for Yul Brynner
He's not bald and his head doesn't glimmer

Master of the wit and the repartee
His command of space directives is uncanny
How come he's such a genius? Don't ask me

Ask Arnold, Arnold, Arnold Rimmer
He's also a fantastic swimmer
And if you play your cards right
then he just might come round for dinner

He's Arnold, Arnold, Arnold Rimmer
No rhymes left now apart from quimmer
We hope they fade us out before we get to schwimmer
Fade out you stupid plimmer

(The last verse was cut from the broadcast edition)