What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedTo Say Nothing of the Dog
Connie Willis · Book · 1997
If you loved To Say Nothing of the Dog, start with Three Men in a Boat (Jerome Klapka Jerome, 2010) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to To Say Nothing of the Dog across media.
If you adored the witty, chaotic, and academic absurdity of To Say Nothing of the Dog, you will appreciate these comedic treasures.
Start with the source
Films on the same thread
2001: A Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick · Film · 1968
Explores: Existentialism, Human Evolution, Artificial Intelligence.
While To Say Nothing of the Dog uses humor to navigate temporal shifts, this film provides the definitive philosophical contrast, exploring human evolution and intelligence through a stark, monumental lens.
Ivan Vasilyevich Changes His Profession
Leonid Gaidai · Film · 1973
Shares 2 threads with To Say Nothing of the Dog: Historical Anachronism, Time Travel Comedy.
Much like the Victorian mishaps in To Say Nothing of the Dog, this film uses time travel as a vehicle for farcical identity confusion and delightful, historical culture clashes.
Spaceballs
Mel Brooks · Film · 1987
Explores: Satire, Good vs Evil, Underdog Story.
If the academic satire of To Say Nothing of the Dog appealed to you, you will enjoy how this parody relentlessly deconstructs tropes with the same irreverent, self-aware spirit.
To Be or Not to Be
Ernst Lubitsch · Film · 1942
Explores: World War II, Disguise, Mistaken Identity.
This film shares the intricate plotting and theatrical mistaken identities that make To Say Nothing of the Dog so engaging, grounded in a similarly sharp, satirical approach to history.
Series on the same thread
Red Dwarf
Doug Naylor · Series · 1988
Explores: Existentialism, Slacker Humor, Male Bonding.
Like the misadventures found in To Say Nothing of the Dog, this series leans into the absurdity of being stranded in time and space with an eccentric, mismatched crew.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams · Series · 1981
Explores: Existentialism, Bureaucracy, Cultural Clash.
The dry, British wit that defines To Say Nothing of the Dog is mirrored here in the cosmic bureaucracy and existential dread Arthur Dent faces across the vast galaxy.
Mystery Science Theater 3000
Joel Hodgson · Series · 1989
Explores: Friendship, Coping with Boredom, Satire.
Fans of the meta-humor in To Say Nothing of the Dog will find a kindred spirit in this show, which turns the act of watching media into a hilarious performance.
'Allo 'Allo!
David Croft · Series · 1984
Explores: World War II, French Resistance, Mistaken Identity.
This farce echoes the chaotic energy of To Say Nothing of the Dog, relying on complex disguises and constant misidentifications to drive its relentless, high-stakes comedic narrative.
Podcasts on the same thread
No Such Thing As A Fish
No Such Thing As A Fish · Podcast · 2026
Explores: intellectual curiosity, bizarre trivia, banter-driven discourse.
The obsessive, trivia-filled curiosity that permeates To Say Nothing of the Dog is distilled here into a banter-driven format that celebrates the bizarre corners of human knowledge and history.
The Infinite Monkey Cage
Podcast
Explores: scientific discovery, astrophysics, cosmology.
If you enjoyed the intellectual playfulness of To Say Nothing of the Dog, this podcast captures that same spirit by exploring complex scientific concepts with wit and irreverent charm.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is To Say Nothing of the Dog a direct adaptation of Three Men in a Boat?
No, To Say Nothing of the Dog is not a direct adaptation. Instead, Connie Willis wrote this 1997 novel as an entertaining comedy inspired by the classic work Three Men in a Boat, originally written by Jerome K. Jerome.
Should I read Three Men in a Boat before starting To Say Nothing of the Dog?
While not strictly required, reading Three Men in a Boat provides context for the inspiration behind To Say Nothing of the Dog. You can find the source material available in various editions, including a 2010 printing of the book.
Does To Say Nothing of the Dog have any connection to Robert A. Heinlein?
To Say Nothing of the Dog is connected to Robert A. Heinlein through the shared reference to the source material. Heinlein mentioned the original Three Men in a Boat in his own work, Have Spacesuit Will Travel, identifying it as the favorite book of the protagonist's father.
What is the inspiration behind the title To Say Nothing of the Dog?
The title of the novel To Say Nothing of the Dog is a direct nod to the full title of Jerome K. Jerome's classic book, Three Men in a Boat (to say nothing of the dog). Connie Willis uses this reference to honor the original comedic work.