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? 

Tackling the chaotic brilliance of series 3 episode 3, Polymorph, head-on, we talk blatant Alien references, ponder the mutant’s knowledge of 1980s household objects, and mull quite how much chilli powder there is onboard the Dwarf. Plus: Stupidity! Special effects! Sad home movies! And much more. 

Trigger warning: this episode of the podcast contains way too many fish puns and most of them are genuinely awful. On reflection, we probably should have cut them trout in the edit. 

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 Kirsty at https://www.kirstynewton.com/

Find Nick at http://www.nickdoody.com/ 

Follow Nick on X @NickDoody  

Check out ‘Chess With Comedians’ on Twitch (and YouTube) to see Nick Doody give chess lessons to the one and only Josie Long - live! 

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: [email protected] 

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.

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 a classic from the opening scene onwards. We can’t argue with him. Together we examine Rimmer’s Richard III. Moral quandaries. How Marooned’s original working title sheds light on the character dynamics. Theories about why this (mainly) two-hander was the 2nd ep of the newly expanded series. Why the original opening scene was cut. And… a Time Lord aboard the Dwarf!

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 and follow @willduggan on X and/or @will_dug on Instagram. 

Check out the National Treasures podcast archive, to hear Will’s adventures in UK tourism. 

And get yourself to the Edinburgh Fringe in August 2024 for Will’s show, ‘Can Duggan, Should Duggan, Will Duggan’. 

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: [email protected] 

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.

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, Backwards, we expound upon all the stuff, including: Frawd eht ffo dna no scimanyd wen. Ytrap trams eht. Srehtorb esrever suolubaf eht. Yhposolihp dna scinahcem, cigol sdrawkcab dna. So… pe eht yojne!

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?

Carry on the Red Dwarf chat with @vixleyton on X and Insta. 

Check out Vix’s ‘chaotic podcast panel show’ The Comedy Arcade, which features a bunch of Better Than Life pod alumni.

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: [email protected] 

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.

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 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?

Want to know more about what you’d have seen if Dad was produced? Check out a comprehensive episode breakdown. 

Get your mind blown by the all-encompassing Red Dwarf timeline – from Big Bang to Big Crunch. 

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: [email protected] 

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.

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 explore a concept with satirical potency far stronger than its creators now seem to believe. We discover an episode that’s rich in social commentary and absolutely loaded with hilarity - from terrible chat-up lines and wonky inventions, through to indelible imagery and pitch-perfect performances. Well, trash our shorts. 

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 top Stu G info and links including his Comedian’s Comedian Podcast, visit https://www.stuartgoldsmith.com/

Watch Stuart’s comedy special I Need You Alive in full, for free on YouTube. 

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: [email protected] 

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.

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 the hidden depths behind the wheeze of the week. Plus: Queeg’s literary origins, Charles Augins’ backstory… and twists within twists.

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?

Connect with @sazzymills on all your social media platforms.

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: [email protected] 

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.

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 think about it – so very sad. Plus, we ask the key question: is future Lister’s beard evil? Trigger warning: this episode contains maths. 

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 David Reed’s latest live dates, appearances and listening links at mrdavidreed.com

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: [email protected] 

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.

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 surprising emotional maturity, reflect on the show’s fantastic bleakness, hear a defence of Esperanto, and celebrate the fried egg chilli chutney sandwich. 

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?

Go to gemmaarrowsmith.com for all your Gemma Arrowsmith links and info. 

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: [email protected] 

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.

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 stakes. Plus, we ask: where is Kochanski?

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?

Get John Robertson’s latest tour dates and more at thejohnrobertson.com 

Watch John’s live streams at twitch.tv/robbotron 

Jamali Maddix’s documentary series, Hate Thy Neighbour, is available online. 

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: [email protected] 

ENJOY OUR THEME TUNE?

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

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

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 members that started during this ep and continues to this very day. And, of course, we admire David Ross’ totally legit performance.

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?

Get the latest from Nat on X or Instagram @natluurtsema

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: [email protected] 

ENJOY OUR THEME TUNE?

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

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