Stellar Firma
Build your planet, keep in line? Also clones.
Created by brothers Ben Meredith and Tim Meredith, Stellar Firma was Rusty Quill’s first venture into sci-fi and short-form improv, offering a comedically chaotic take on intergalactic design consultancy. Launched in February 2019, the show invited listeners to submit their off-the-wall ideas for new planets, which the main characters—Trexel Geistman, an egotistical, questionably competent planet designer, and David 7, his long-suffering clone assistant—would attempt to bring to life each episode. The result was a whirlwind of absurd world-building, fast-paced improvisation, and increasingly ridiculous levels of corporate bureaucracy.
To keep the series fresh, each season featured different focuses of improvised creation, going from planet design to mad-cap sales pitches and questionable marketing consultancy. Trexel and David’s lives are plagued by regular catchups with Trexel’s boss, Hartro Piltz, who will often subject Trexel to humiliating, yet deserved, punishments. Stellar Firma reached its conclusion in May 2021 after 76 episodes.
Interesting Facts
- Travis McElroy (My Brother, My Brother & Me, The Adventure Zone) once cameo-d, and the show has had many cameos from recognisable voices like Sue Sims (who you might know as Gertrude from The Magnus Archives!)
- Patrons can listen to a Stellar Firma spin-off series, Compulsory Film Appreciation, starring Jenny Haufek as Hartro and Imogen Harris as I.M.O.G.E.N appreciating films in a ‘Board-approved manner’
- A full album of in-character songs was recorded by Tim Meredith, Ben Meredith and other Stellar Firma performers. You can listen to Cabaret Night at the Cosmic Lounge on the Stellar Firma podcast feed or download the full album plus bonus sketches from Rusty Quill’s Patreon.
Reviews
Stellar Firma from Rusty Quill never ceases to delight or amaze me. A truly wonderful dystopian comedy from some truly talented improvisers. - Discoverpods
Terrifically funny, slightly witty, and presumably improvised by several very quick-witted people. An audio-dramedy that evolves over the course of its many seasons, it’s a show I come back to where so many others lose my interest after a single listen. …Against all odds, an absolute classic. - Review from Podchaser
Merchandise
Find out more about Stellar Firma and listen on the Rusty Quill Website.