Due to the complexities of filming this episode, this was the first (studio-based) episode not to be shot with a live audience. Instead, the episode was shown to an audience and their reactions recorded (according to the DVD booklet, the audience included the cast members, as well). This would become standard practice for Series VII.
A scene was taped in which Kryten lights Rimmer-as-Lister's cigar with his finger while they are in a sauna. During filming, Robert Llewellyn became so sweaty in his costume that his sweat short-circuited the wires used for the lighter and he was mildly shocked. This scene was featured in "Red Dwarf: The Bodysnatcher Collection" box set.
Technical difficulties of the actors playing other characters meant that the scenes would have to have been done twice. Instead the voices were dubbed over the scenes in post-production and trying to match up with lip movements caused much mirth while recording. Chris Barrie, being an impressionist, had no problems playing Lister, whereas Craig Charles' portrayal as Rimmer was not as smooth. The final edit, with dubbed voices, was then played to a small audience to provide the laughter track.
The long chase sequence with Blue Midget and Starbug was overseen by effects supervisor Peter Wragg. Using his experience of working on shows such as Thunderbirds (1965), he had the model ships of Starbug and Blue Midget flying on hidden wires over a scaled landscape, Starbug eventually crashing into it.
This episode is the first time the Cat says "smeg". He says "What do you want to look like that smeghead Rimmer for?" when Rimmer is in Lister's body, wearing his green uniform. The Cat doesn't say "smeg" again until Blue (1997), where once again he refers to Rimmer as a "smeghead".