Better Than Life: A Red Dwarf Podcast BTL POD

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.

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, and why regret is a recurring theme of the show. 
Series 3 episode 5, Timeslides, is an episode Jonno thought about a lot during lockdown. He tells us why - and it may break your heart a little. We lovingly unpack the brilliance of the ep - from the throwaway cruelty of Rimmer’s fate, to what the show tells us about luck and money. Jonno’s tales of problem solving in TV writers’ rooms will have you appreciating the genius of the tension sheet as a plot device. As a bonus, you’ll find out why Thanks For The Memory is Jonno’s favourite piece of TV, ever. 
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?
Agree or disagree with Jonno’s takes on Red Dwarf? Geek out with him @thisisjonno on Instagram. And follow @sheepsofcomedy on X for the chance to see him on stage. 
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.