Not Going Out

On the first showing, I thought, 'well, that could have been better'. The second episode came on and I decided to give it another try. I laughed myself silly. This proves that comedy on Friday nights is finally making a comeback. Only into the fourth episode and I'm looking forward to the next episode. Lee Mack is brilliant and his timing is perfect. Tim Vine comes out with some great one liners. As for Megan Dodds, wow. Not only is she gorgeous, she can act. She may be just the reason I returned for a second helping and I'm glad I did. There maybe a few cheap laughs here and there, but they just warm you up for the smattering of funny gags, slapstick falls and superb lines. Worth staying in for. I just hope we see a second series and a DVD box-set.

Start with the first series. They are filled to the brim with Lee Mack's signature humour, there is also Miranda, and Tim Vine and later on the Daisy character. It is simply consistent. Good bread at the table of entertainment. Not too heavy, not superficial, because it manages to stay witty and clever most of the time. Then Tim leaves. The show goes a bit low, a bit more, but, hey, it is Lee Mack that carries it and so he does further. Enter new characters. Later on, the series makes a huge jump, in terms of premise and it feels somehow stuck for quite a few seasons. But hey, since it did not gave up, and because it became our friend, we can keep watching. Then it hits here and there a few better episodes. Too much bickering... a much waited Christmas special... a clever plot... a few stale episodes. Overall it is great that is goes on. Good news, the most recent series seems to have hit the jackpot with fresh jokes and fresh situational comedy. This sets up good expectations for the next one (series 12).

I realize they had to update the show with kids, but the show is at its best with the adults. or maybe its the writers. bring back Daisy :)

Few and far between in the last decade; a British comedy that is funny. Lee Mack on top form, Tim Vine, less frenetic compared to his stand up but excellent nonetheless and Megan Dodds playing the role of the straight man(woman) perfectly. Anyone who has seen or heard Lee Mack will know that when he plays restrained in this he could be about to explode with even funnier lines. Ditto for Tim Vine but in terms of the speed of delivery of his jokes. Any complaints about the US style scene links - nice shots of London by day and night - are just carping. If you don't like this then go to the other end of the spectrum and watch My Family. Robert Lindsay and all those responsible for that turd of a "sitcom" should watch Not Going Out, realise that My Family is a crime against humanity and kill themselves. Lee Mack for PM!

I didn't expect much from this programme when it first aired and it was only on as I hadn't turned over from the previous programme. Now I'm glad I didn't! Not often is there a programme on that makes me literally laugh out loud - normally I'm just a smile-on-my-face kind of girl, but this was so so funny I couldn't help it! The jokes come thick and fast as one liners, with very clever word play which I think is reminiscent of the Two Ronnies. It sometimes borders on the very rude, but doesn't go too far into this territory as to spoil it.

The sexual tension between the landlady and her best friend/flatmate adds an extra dimension to the show, which is keeping me guessing as to how it will turn out: will she go with Lee or return to her ex-boyfriend (and Lee's best friend) Tim?

Not sure how this would play overseas as a lot of the jokes are very British and some centred around Lee's northern roots. But my congratulations to the writers and cast for a programme thats very funny and very original.