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 guests who’ll join us in the new era. SO WHAT IS IT? Better Than Life is t...
Mar 14, 2024•17 min
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. Turning our attention to series 2 episode 6, Parallel Universe, we explo...
Mar 08, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 6
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 episode 5, Queeg, we discuss Holly’s flat cap; horseys, bishes and prawns; and t...
Mar 01, 2024•49 min•Season 2Ep. 5
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 again, we touch on how Red Dwarf is so funny, yet also – if you stop to thin...
Feb 23, 2024•56 min•Season 2Ep. 4
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 Memory, we discover a cast at the top of their game. We explore Rimmer’s sur...
Feb 16, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 3
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 Marilyn Monroe. And we consider how this ep’s namesake novel raises the ...
Feb 09, 2024•58 min•Season 2Ep. 2
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 to Lister being Rimmer’s wingman. Plus: the origins of a feud between cast ...
Feb 02, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 2Ep. 1
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 your perfect podcast companion for a first watch or a rewatch. Be warned: spoi...
Jan 26, 2024•15 min
“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 going-over. Major questions are posed. Like: what is Lister without...
Jan 19, 2024•51 min•Season 1Ep. 6
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 Trek”, how long it takes for the plot to kick in, and how well the ...
Jan 12, 2024•58 min•Season 1Ep. 5
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 unturned - from hardcore from boardgame wargames, to Paul’s super cheerful the...
Jan 05, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 4
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 Red Dwarf speaks to teenagers. And the verifiable fact that Rimchanski’s hip...
Dec 29, 2023•56 min•Season 1Ep. 3
Bec Hill shares her Red Dwarf journey: Manipulating the public library system to get hold of box sets. Reviving Duane Dibbley as a paper puppet. And doing stand-up comedy with her time travelling future self. That’s dedication. We cover all the important stuff about series 1 episode 2, ‘Future Echoes’, including: Kids’ spongy brains and the Theory of Relativity. Low-tech backstage shenanigans. Why unloved PE teachers should move to Australia. Plus, of course, hopelessness. SO WHAT IS IT? Better ...
Dec 22, 2023•59 min•Season 1Ep. 2
Welcome to the pod where comedians talk Red Dwarf, the greatest sci-fi sitcom, one episode at a time. Guy Kelly is our wonderfully warm and witty guest for series 1 episode 1, The End. You’ll find out why he was terrified the first time he watched Red Dwarf. Where the stains on his novelisations come from. And how it feels to gig with Norman Lovett. We cover all the important stuff – from the drabness of the future, to Cat’s muted trumpets, the acting instincts of an inexperienced Craig Charles,...
Dec 15, 2023•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 1
Trailer for Better Than Life: a podcast for fans of beloved sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf - and fans of comedy in general. In each instalment we interview a funny person about why they love Red Dwarf, and then we do a deep dive into a classic episode. Series 1 features interviews with Nick Helm, Bec Hill, Sooz Kempner, Paul Foxcroft, Matt Blair and Guy Kelly. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Dec 09, 2023•1 min
