Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: Cat (Danny John-Jules), Rimmer (Chris Barrie), Lister (Craig Charles), Kryten (Robert Llewellyn). Copyright: UKTV
Red Dwarf

Red Dwarf

  • TV sitcom
  • Dave / BBC Two
  • 1988 - 2020
  • 74 episodes (12 series)

Science fiction sitcom based in space. The crew aboard the damaged mining spaceship Red Dwarf are doomed to drift in space for the rest of eternity. Stars Chris Barrie, Craig Charles, Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn, Norman Lovett and more.

Episode menu

Series II, Episode 2 - Better Than Life

The long-overdue arrival of a postal delivery brings untold goodies for the Dwarf crew: films, letters from home, news reels, and plenty more besides. One particular video game, the virtual reality title Better Than Life, is of particular interest.

Further details

Red Dwarf. Image shows from L to R: The Guide (Tony Hawks), Lister (Craig Charles), Cat (Danny John-Jules). Copyright: Grant Naylor Productions / BBC

When the Red Dwarf post pod finally arrives on the ship three million years late (although as Holly says "That's about average for a second class post!"), amongst its contents are found to be letters from home, video games, films and newsreels.

One particular video game, Better Than Life, reads brainwaves to create a virtual universe of the mind's deepest desires and fantasies - naturally, the Dwarfers can't wait to try it out..

Initially, things couldn't be better. Cat's found a girlfriend, Marilyn Monroe fancies him, and Lister's got a vibrating water bed in the shape of a guitar; but things begin to go awry before long. It seems that Rimmer's mind cannot accept good things happening to him, even in virtual reality. It rejects all happiness and turns his best wishes into his worst nightmares.

The trio escape from the game just in time to avoid being eaten alive by killer ants. Better Than Life, however, doesn't seem keen to let them go.

Broadcast details

Date
Tuesday 13th September 1988
Time
9pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Repeats

Show past repeats

Date Time Channel
Thursday 13th May 2010 11:00pm Dave
Sunday 12th September 2010 9:40pm Dave
Wednesday 13th April 2011 10:00pm Dave
Saturday 13th August 2011 8:20pm Dave
Sunday 25th September 2011 9:00pm Dave
Wednesday 21st December 2011 9:40pm Dave
Thursday 3rd May 2012 9:40pm Dave
Friday 4th May 2012 9:40pm Dave
Saturday 29th September 2012 11:40am Dave
Sunday 25th August 2013 10:10am Dave
Sunday 29th September 2013 12:40am Dave
Sunday 29th September 2013 2:40pm Dave
Sunday 26th January 2014 10:40am Dave
Sunday 26th January 2014 6:40pm Dave
Friday 18th April 2014 3:40pm Dave
Saturday 19th April 2014 1:20am Dave
Saturday 22nd November 2014 3:40pm Dave
Wednesday 22nd April 2015 12:15am Dave
Friday 17th July 2015 10:20pm Gold
Saturday 18th July 2015 1:00pm Gold
Sunday 25th October 2015 1:40am Dave
Sunday 20th March 2016 4:40pm Dave
Tuesday 5th July 2016 11:55pm Gold
Saturday 27th August 2016 1:40pm Dave
Monday 1st May 2017 2:15am Dave
Thursday 6th August 2020 2:55am Dave
Thursday 6th August 2020 10:00pm Dave
Friday 15th October 2021 10:40pm Dave
Monday 21st February 2022 12:40am Dave
Monday 21st February 2022 1:20am Dave
Monday 11th April 2022 2:45am Dave
Monday 9th May 2022 1:35am Dave
Sunday 25th September 2022 10:40pm Yesterday
Sunday 16th October 2022 7:40pm Dave
Monday 23rd January 2023 12:40am Dave
Saturday 11th March 2023 2:40pm Dave
Monday 3rd July 2023 12:20am Dave
Friday 20th October 2023 10:00pm BBC2
Monday 8th January 2024 1:40am Dave

Cast & crew

Cast
Chris Barrie Rimmer
Craig Charles Lister
Danny John-Jules Cat
Norman Lovett Holly
Guest cast
John Abineri Rimmer's Dad
Debbie Ash Marilyn Monroe
Jeremy Austin Rathbone (Autograph Seeker)
Nigel Carrivick The Captain
Tony Hawks The Guide
Judy Hawkins McGruder
Tina Jenkins The Newsreader
Ron Pember The Taxman
Gordon Salkilld Gordon
Writing team
Doug Naylor Writer
Rob Grant Writer
Production team
Ed Bye Director
Ed Bye Producer
Paul Jackson Executive Producer
Ed Wooden Editor
Paul Montague Production Designer
Howard Goodall Composer

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