Latest episode
6. 24 - "Meltdown" with Bethany Black
01:04:55Top comedian, writer and actor Bethany Black was the first kid in her school to get into Red Dwarf. She spread the word and soon everyone was into it. So, you can expect a lifetime of wisdom and enthusiasm! We have an interesting chat about how the show relates to the Alternative Comedy movement and other sitcoms of the time. Bethany reveals how her favourite characters influenced the way she lived and dressed as a kid (spoiler: not Rimmer). And her recasting idea opens the door to a deep insight into the characters…and what they reveal about different aspects of human nature. Series 4 episode 6, Meltdown, was one of Bethany’s favourites back in the day. What does she think about it now? It’s so much fun! We discuss Risk and how it affects the psyche. Rimmer’s military madness. How well the cultural references and jokes have aged. And how much joy the lookalikes bring to the character mix. Plus: what’s up with those dino-bird-monsters?!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 Bethany Black on Tik Tok or Bluesky. Check out Bethany’s tour dates and more at https://www.bethanyblack.co.uk/Grab Bethany’s filmed shows from Go Faster Stripe. WHAT DO YOU THINK?Have a word on our socials: X/Instagram/Facebook - @itsBTLpodEMAIL USWe’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/
More episodes
View all episodes
5. 23 - "Dimension Jump" with Andrew O'Neill
58:14Andrew O’Neill knows the exact date they got into Red Dwarf, telling us “it was exactly ‘me’ flavoured”. Surely we can all relate? And, refreshingly, they’re a proper fan of the Dave era episodes! Andrew is very insightful on why the show is perfect for young people… and metalheads. Series 4 episode 5, Dimension Jump, raises some interesting questions. Listener, would you like your own “Ace” if you met them? What are the moments in our lives when possible versions of ourselves diverge? And how self-aware do you think Rimmer is? We also chat about Chris Barrie’s charismatic transformation, the “Grant Naylor look”, taramasalata vs hummus, in-flight magazines, and kippers. 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 more from Andrew O’Neill…Find and follow ‘Andrew O’Neill Comedy’ on social media. Check out The Invadvisable Trapdoor podcast. Listen to BBC Radio comedy Damned Andrew.Catch Andrew on tour. WHAT DO YOU THINK?Have a word on our socials: X/Instagram/Facebook - @itsBTLpodEMAIL USWe’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/4. 22 - "White Hole" with Alice Fraser
54:09The 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 - @itsBTLpodEMAIL USWe’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/3. 21 - "Justice" with Tom Neenan
01:09:31Smashing 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.2. 20 - "DNA" with Garrett Millerick
58:25Acclaimed 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 @millerickcomedyAnd 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 - @itsBTLpodEMAIL USWe’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/1. 19 - "Camille" with Matt Kirshen
01:09:59Not 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 - @itsBTLpodEMAIL USWe’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/Series 4 Preview + Listener Emails
23:57Which 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 - @itsBTLpodEMAIL USWe’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/