Better Than Life: A Red Dwarf Podcast

Keep yourself warm between series with this selection of juicy off-cuts from recent episodes. Find out what Vix Layton, Kirsty Newton, Nick Doody and Tom Price said that you didn’t get to hear before. Plus: a listener shares a tale of youthful fandom cringe. 

SO WHAT IS IT?

Better Than Life is the pod where comedians talk Red Dwarf, the greatest sci-fi sitcom, one episode at a time. With a fresh guest every ep, we’re you...

That’s right. Dulcé Sloan off The Daily Show is a lifelong Red Dwarf fan! She and her family have loved the show since she was a kid, when it first aired in the USA on PBS. Dulcé has great insights all over the place - from why the US remake was doomed to fail, to the genius of Backwards. Which member of the crew did she have a crush on? Is continuity even a thing in Red Dwarf? And is Robert Llewellyn really doing a Canadian accent...

Jonno is here and he’s geeking out! He’s never missed a Gazpacho Soup Day, and we’re talking comprehensive rankings of eps and seasons. As a TV comedy writer and member of powerhouse sketch trio Sheeps, his fandom has evolved along with his experience as a crafter of comedy. Expect insights into what the show tells us about what’s wrong with Rimmer, how the 2020 lockdown helped Jonno understand Lister’s experience as the last human...

Red Dwarf changed Tom Price’s comedy DNA. The multitalented actor, radio presenter and podcaster shares his fan story - from being Talky Toaster at school, to bonding with his future wife over their shared love of the show, all the way to what happened when Tom did studio warm-up for a Dave-era Red Dwarf taping. His insights are plentiful, especially when it comes to appreciating why Chris Barrie is so fantastic as Rimmer. 

Ep 15 - POLYMORPH

It’s our first ever two guest spectacular! Musical comedy virtuoso Kirsty Newton and phenomenal standup Nick Doody are joyful company as they share their love of Red Dwarf - from the mighty theme tune’s spacey vibes, to taking comfort in the company of misfits. You’ll find out which one of them has a groinal socket. And Kirsty and Nick’s individual links to Rob Grant will have you asking: what’s your RD Number?...

Craig Charles called Will Duggan a “wazzock” on BBC radio - in this ep, he tells us why! Will came to Red Dwarf at a random episode of series 8 (that’s not why Craig dissed him on 6 Music). Over several years, he caught episodes out of sequence, before finally learning the backstory of this “workplace sitcom that happens to be set 3 million years in the future.” 

Crashing into series 3 episode 2, Marooned, Will declares it ...

Vix Leyton has waited years to be asked about Red Dwarf! She shares her journey as a fan - from growing up in a space opera loving household, to abusing her pre-standup day job by engineering a working lunch with Robert Llewellyn. Vix also muses on how Rimmer’s grown on her as she’s gotten older, and together we ponder whether the show’s lightness of lore makes its fans nicer.

Turning our attention to series 3 episode 1, Backwar...

Before we get to series 3, we need to talk about what the smeg happens after Parallel Universe. We find a missing episode that would have dealt with Lister’s pregnancy. And a ‘story-so-far’ that’s the ‘story-so-fast’ you might not be able to take it in. So we’ve done the work for you. 

Get prepped for the next series and enjoy some brilliant listener contributions in this mini episode. Plus: hear from some of the fantastic ...

Stuart Goldsmith hates Duane Dibbley. There’s your clickbait opener! In fact, the inventor of ‘comedians talking about comedy’ proves to be massively in love with classic Dwarf - and hugely insightful about its craft and appeal. He talks about the influence and resonance each character has had on him over the years. And gives an insider’s perspective on what it’s really like to work with a BBC sci-fi special effects budget. 

&n...

Sarah Mills greets us with her own version of the Red Dwarf theme tune - and it’s the perfect start to an especially bantery ep. Sarah talks about not being a sci-fi fan, yet wishing she’d come up with the concept of Red Dwarf. She shares her enduring love for a classic ep from series 4. And she has a great take on why we enjoy spending time with Rimmer, despite everything he says and does. 

Taking a look at series 2 episod...

Discover why improv comic and playwright David Reed is nostalgic for the days when series continuity wasn’t all that important. Hear his take on the boys from the Dwarf as characters from Winnie The Pooh. And shudder at the memory of David’s wife breaking Starbug. 

As we pull apart series 2 episode 4, Stasis Leak, David helps us celebrate the brilliance of Morwenna Banks and the joys of playing time travel as farce. Once ag...

Acclaimed comedy writer and actor Gemma Arrowsmith joins us, sporting an awesome Mugs Murphy t-shirt. Her combo of megafandom and top-tier scriptwriting insight makes for a wide-ranging, illuminating conversation – from Grant and Naylor assuming the viewer’s intelligence, through to how unlikely it is that a sitcom driven by relative unknowns would be made today. 

Taking a close look at series 2 episode 3, Thanks For The Me...

Human hurricane John Robertson talks about inspiring some of Norman Lovett’s standup, having a Twitter misunderstanding with Robert Llewelyn, Hattie Hayridge’s s**t stirring mate, and an embarrassing encounter with Chris Barrie.

As we immerse ourselves in series 2 episode 2, the creator of live action videogame The Dark Room tells us why he would be sure to have a good time in Better Than Life. We explore Cat’s problem with Mari...

BAFTA-nominated film maker, author and comedian Nat Luurtsema explains why Rimmer really doesn’t deserve nice things. We talk grubby, grotty losers and reassuring lessons about growing up. You’ll also get to hear the moment Nat wins Red Dwarf. 

Analysing series 2 episode 1, Kryten, we discuss the theatrical roots of our favourite mechanoid’s name, the innately tragic quality of fictional butlers, and the audience response t...

Which awesome comedy guests will join us to celebrate series 2 of Red Dwarf? How’s our sacrilegious recasting game going? What do our listeners make of it all? And… The Muppets Take Red Dwarf! Please enjoy this pithy palette cleanser before series 2 kicks off. 

SO WHAT IS IT?

Better Than Life is the pod where comedians talk Red Dwarf, the greatest sci-fi sitcom, one episode at a time. With a fresh guest every ep, we’re y...

“The Nation’s Favourite Uncle”, comedy titan Nick Helm, closes our series 1 discussion. A massive collection of Red Dwarf t-shirts! Watching every episode four times a day! Turning the hell of teeth straightening appointments into the heaven of Red Dwarf video shopping! That’s all stuff we talk about!

From the challenges of making two Rimmers work, to the ruination of a soup, we give “sitcom 2001” series 1 episode 6, Me2, a good...

Comedian, musician and podcaster Matt Blair joins us to chat about continuity (or lack thereof) in Red Dwarf, being hooked as a kid by its naughtiness… and what it was like when Matt shared a flat with Norman Lovett. Our amateur psychoanalysis of Rimmer continues, and we return to the burning question: is Lister cool?

Chewing over series 1 episode 5, Confidence and Paranoia, we cover all the essentials. Like how it is “pure Star...

Paul Foxcroft is both a comedian and a renowned dungeon master. His experience leading epic fantasy games is perfect prep for exploring the lore of Red Dwarf’s feline civilisation. Interrogating series 1 episode 4, Waiting For God, we learn why Paul thinks Cat is a psycho. Why a book made of scents is a bad idea. And why it’s more cost effective to land on lava planets than water planets. 

As always, no stones are left untu...

Sooz Kempner joins us to dig into all manner of Red Dwarfery. Want to know if it has the perfect pilot? Why Chris Barrie should’ve been born American? And which series Sooz thinks has never been bettered? Then get listening to our chat about series 1 episode 3, Balance of Power. 

In a world exclusive, Sooz tells us about meeting the unsung hero who sings the theme song. We also explore the genius of Danny John-Jules. Why Re...