Continuity mistake: In George's memorial service, the extras are totally different in the shots from George's point of view to the shots from the back of the room. Look for the woman with brunette hair and orange overalls - she's there in the forward shots but missing in the reverses. The chairs, tables, props, costumes and character placements are all completely discontinuous. (00:12:15)
Confidence and Paranoia - S1-E5
Revealing mistake: After Lister faints, you can see him smirk when the cat sings 'S-E-X, I think I've found it!' (00:08:50)
Revealing mistake: When the cat priest dies on the bed, watch him move his foot so Lister can sit on the edge. (00:26:40)
Audio problem: When Lister and Rimmer see Cat just after Holly explains how he evolved, Rimmer runs at Cat screaming before he passes through him and we hear a crash off screen to indicate Rimmer has just run in to something. He is a hologram and is not solid, so no sound should be heard. [The original version did not have this mistake. The sound effect was added for the now defunct Remastered series.] (00:27:10)
Confidence and Paranoia - S1-E5
Visible crew/equipment: When Rimmer says there was nothing wrong with his casual clothes, a boom mic shadow can be seen moving at the top of the screen. (00:06:10)
Continuity mistake: At the start of the 'Welcome Back George McIntyre' reception scene, Lister, Chen and Selby are throwing things at Rimmer, then Rimmer looks around. In the next shot, Lister and Chen are looking round to their left, Selby is stabbing between his fingers, Rimmer is now looking straight forwards and Petersen has appeared from nowhere. (00:09:40)
Continuity mistake: When George McIntye finishes his speech, he is standing. When the camera cuts back, he is sitting down. (00:11:55)
Continuity mistake: Half way through the episode, the captain's office becomes covered by a wall. (00:24:55)
Continuity mistake: When Lister takes the milk from his locker, keep an eye on his duvet. In the next shot when he pours the milk, it has moved and is hanging down from his bunk. The red mug on the table also moves from near the magazines to near the ashtray on the other side of the table. (00:14:35)
Answer: The cello is a large four-stringed instrument, which, when it is played, stands vertically on the floor between the player's legs (assuming they are seated). If it is to grow as large as the other instuments mentioned will, it would require a rather unseemly lack of femininity to be able to encompass it with the legs.
Rooster of Doom