The incredible Alice Fraser goes all-in on what makes Red Dwarf awesome. Cleverness! Silliness! Heart! Toast! An amazing parliament-based metaphor (don’t worry, not political). A very cool comparison with a Pixar classic. And a traumatic memory of Rimmerworld that lives forever in a dark corner of Alice’s mind.

Onto series 4 episode 4, White Hole, and it’s all going on. Alice shines a light on the different types of humour Grant and Naylor flit between, and how this keeps the show dynamic and engaging for the viewer. We unpack ‘British university comedy writing’, trade favourite lines from the ep (so many!) and explore why they’re so great. We celebrate Hattie Hayridge.

And, of course, we break down the iconic scene where Kryten explains the science of white holes. And, of course, we break down the iconic scene where Kryten explains the science of white holes. And, of course, we break down the iconic scene where Kryten explains the science of white holes.

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: spoilers!

Hosted by Fergus (huge fan) and John (lapsed fan).

Production, artwork and insights by Alex Watson.

FANCY SOME LINKS?

Visit patreon.com/alicefraser for everything Alice, including writing masterclasses (free trial!).

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Have a word on our socials:

X/Instagram/Facebook - @itsBTLpod

EMAIL US

We’d love to ask your questions on the pod – and to hear your feedback. Drop us a line: betterthanlifepod@gmail.com

ENJOY OUR THEME TUNE?

There’s more where that came from: https://holygoats.bandcamp.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Smashing comedian and lead writer of The Mash Report, Tom Neenan brings his giant comedy brain to bear on Red Dwarf. Unsurprisingly for such a seasoned comedy writer, he is super insightful on the special ingredients that make Red Dwarf so great - from its vivid nature, to Grant and Naylor’s knack for smuggling in psychology. Plus: the lessons kids can learn from the characters. And what’s the best episode to show a friend who’s never seen Red Dwarf before?

We are right into Tom’s favourite era of the show. Series 4 episode 3, Justice, is a classic among classics - and we discover why. Among many, many other things, we assess how the narrative structure brings three disparate story elements together. How Ed Bye does a masterful job of directing. How Robert Llewelyn nails Grant and Naylor’s brilliant defence speech.

And when we take Tom into Overthinking Corner, he really rises to the futile challenge. So, listen now and find out which bits make Tom’s inner comedy writer applaud!

Follow @tpneenan on Instagram - where you can see his brilliant paintings.

If you love Doctor Who, you should check out Tom Neenan’s gleefully silly pod, A Wheezing Groaning Sound.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Acclaimed standup Garrett Millerick came to Red Dwarf aged 11, with series 6. He quickly became an obsessive collector of the VHS collections, falling in love with both classic ‘eras’ (series 1-2 and series 3-6). He even had an Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers t-shirt custom printed.

As we unravel series 4 episode 2, DNA, Garrett reveals an interesting take on how the story might have been treated differently in series 1 or 2. We celebrate the joys of seeing Robert Llewellyn in the flesh. The time Garrett fanboyed all over Craig Charles seconds before he stepped on stage for a festival DJ set. And why despite (or because of?) the occasional scatological humour, this show is so great for kids… and families!

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: spoilers!

Hosted by Fergus (huge fan) and John (lapsed fan).

Production, artwork and insights by Alex Watson.

FANCY SOME LINKS?

For tour dates and much more, check out https://www.garrettmillerick.com/

To connect with Garrett on X or Insta, follow @millerickcomedy

And keep an eye out for Garrett’s new BBC Radio 4 sitcom, Do Gooders, out on BBC Radio 4 on July 23rd 2024!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Have a word on our socials:

X/Instagram/Facebook - @itsBTLpod

EMAIL US

We’d love to ask your questions on the pod – and to hear your feedback. Drop us a line: betterthanlifepod@gmail.com

ENJOY OUR THEME TUNE?

There’s more where that came from: https://holygoats.bandcamp.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not just a globetrotting standup who shot to fame in the US on Last Comic Standing, Matt Kirshen is also a TV comedy writer, with credits including Arrested Development and The Jim Jeffries Show.

So, no surprise he’s full of insights into the crafty magic of Red Dwarf. Matt’s particularly thoughtful about the factors that make British and American sitcoms different - and why they do or don’t translate. And, despite having a powerhouse cast ready for his fantasy reboot, he explains why a successful remake would be better off with a very different approach to casting.

Unpacking series 4 episode 1, Camille, we cover the big questions. How much of Lister’s laidback attitude is a front? What happened to the crew of Camille’s ship? And how do GELFs like these actually work? Plus: how nicely the episode is structured around a single concept. And why Camille is a great jumping on point for new viewers.

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: spoilers!

Hosted by Fergus (huge fan) and John (lapsed fan).

Production, artwork and insights by Alex Watson.

FANCY SOME LINKS?

Find all things Matt Kirshen at mattkirshen.com of all places.

You like podcasts, right? Check out Matt Kirshen’s podcast, Probably Science.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Have a word on our socials:

X/Instagram/Facebook - @itsBTLpod

EMAIL US

We’d love to ask your questions on the pod – and to hear your feedback. Drop us a line: betterthanlifepod@gmail.com

ENJOY OUR THEME TUNE?

There’s more where that came from: https://holygoats.bandcamp.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Which amazing comedians do we have for you in series 4? When’s it launching? And what are our hopes and dreams for the newly announced 2025 Red Dwarf miniseries?

All these questions are answered in this series 4 preview. Plus: some brilliant listener emails on all sorts of stuff – from pottery, saxophones and adolescent tears, to the answer you’ve all been waiting for… just what was the British sci-fi sitcom Nick Doody couldn’t name in our Polymorph ep… and what does it have to do with Edgar Wright? Have a listen and find out.

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: spoilers!

Hosted by Fergus (huge fan) and John (lapsed fan).

Production, artwork and insights by Alex Watson.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Have a word on our socials:

X/Instagram/Facebook - @itsBTLpod

EMAIL US

We’d love to ask your questions on the pod – and to hear your feedback. Drop us a line: betterthanlifepod@gmail.com

ENJOY OUR THEME TUNE?

There’s more where that came from: https://holygoats.bandcamp.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s our second selection of choice off-cuts from series 3. Find out what else the wonderful Jonno and the incredible Dulcé Sloan had to say about the greatest British sci-fi sitcom of all time. Plus: listener emails about swearing and hidden lyrics in the Red Dwarf theme tune.

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: spoilers!

Hosted by Fergus (huge fan) and John (lapsed fan).

Production, artwork and insights by Alex Watson.

FANCY SOME LINKS?

See and hear those hidden lyrics in the Red Dwarf theme tune for yourself!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Have a word on our socials:

X/Instagram/Facebook - @itsBTLpod

EMAIL US

We’d love to ask your questions on the pod – and to hear your feedback. Drop us a line: betterthanlifepod@gmail.com

ENJOY OUR THEME TUNE?

There’s more where that came from: https://holygoats.bandcamp.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 your perfect podcast companion for a first watch or a rewatch. Be warned: spoilers!

Hosted by Fergus (huge fan) and John (lapsed fan).

Production, artwork and insights by Alex Watson.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Have a word on our socials:

X/Instagram/Facebook - @itsBTLpod

EMAIL US

We’d love to ask your questions on the pod – and to hear your feedback. Drop us a line: betterthanlifepod@gmail.com

ENJOY OUR THEME TUNE?

There’s more where that came from: https://holygoats.bandcamp.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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? We tackle it all.

Unpicking series 3 episode 6, The Last Day, Dulcé shows us how it’s done…Planned obsolescence. Master-servant dynamics. Crises of faith. What to do when you’ve got a day left to live. And the implied bleak history of mechanoid rebellion…Turns out this ep is incredibly rich in thematic content! Listen to the end for a very dark graphic novel idea, free to any artistic listener who’s unconcerned about copyright infringement.

Smoke us a kipper, we’ll be back soon with series 4.

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: spoilers!

Hosted by Fergus (huge fan) and John (lapsed fan).

Production, artwork and insights by Alex Watson.

FANCY SOME LINKS?

For tour dates, videos, podcasts and much more, visit the official Dulcé Sloan website.

Grab Dulcé’s new book, Hello, Friends! wherever you buy books. Trevor Noah calls it, “A heartfelt story of joy, sorrow, and unbelievable resilience” - so, what are you waiting for?!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Have a word on our socials:

X/Instagram/Facebook - @itsBTLpod

EMAIL US

We’d love to ask your questions on the pod – and to hear your feedback. Drop us a line: betterthanlifepod@gmail.com

ENJOY OUR THEME TUNE?

There’s more where that came from: https://holygoats.bandcamp.com/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.