FWIW, The cat retired to the Caribbean, and now helps imported Detective Inspectors solve murders (Death in Paradise).
As to being as good, l always found the entire Red Dwarf series to be so bad, it was good*. The series was/is not for everyone. Much like the movie Strange Brew ("Take Off, Eh!"). Or Father Ted (DRINK! FECK! ARSE! GIRLS!).
* although the scenes following the one when Kryton detached his hand to summon help, was outright hilarious on any level.