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Not Going Out 2nd series
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, beng said:
At last! Lee Mack's back on TV. I really thought the show won't get re-commissioned. I bet the next series will be a great! I just wonder why they only do 6-7 epis in 1 series. It's too short. 
like Lead Balloon (I am happy though as it also got recommissioned! Does anyone know if 'After You've Gone' will have another series 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
I think a lot of people are pleased Not Going Out is coming back. The reason it's only six episodes to begin with is that the channel doesn't want to risk a flop (nothing worse than a series bombing but there still being hours left to broadcast) - plus the writers have to actually write the thing - it took Mack and Collins six months solid to write the first six episodes (not surprising considering the number of gags)!
p.s. If you like Not Going Out watch out for Lee Mack on Radio 2 - he's not on at the moment but when he is there's some good stuff in that.
After You've Gone will almost certainly be back although the BBC haven't made their decision yet. It is normally a couple of months after the last episode before they make a decision on a show's future.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Thread moved to the British Sitcoms forum.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Walker said:
I look forward to the second series of Not Going Out, i think it was maybe the best sitcom BBC has produced in a long time. Hopefully the second series will live up to the greatness that was the first.
After You've Gone was a little hit and miss for me. it got better as the series progressed so it'd be interesting to see what they do with a second series.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I liked AYG. Sure, it had problems, but what doesn't? More than enjoyable enough for me, and particularly so in comparison to some other relatively recent offerings!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
A pleasant enough show when it was on, but nothing you couldn't miss.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
For the record After You've Gone has now indeed been given the go ahead for a second season. Full Story
BBC1 seems to be hitting its stride - I can't remember the last time so many mainstream sitcoms made it past their first series in the same year (admittedly many are questioning why Jam and Jerusalem was saved but that's another story!).
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Good news! 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Not Going Out is certanly the best mainstream sitcom in a long time so it's great to see it coming back for a second series. Tim Vine is one of the most underrated stand ups(should have been higher in the top 100 stand up show a few weeks ago), so it's great to see him in something that's doing well. He worked well with Lee in the sketch show (one of the few decent sketch shows in recent years)and it's good to see them working well again.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
Hopefully Paul Roses' "To Much Too Young" will get comissioned now. The two main parents in it are top notch performers. *crosses fingers and toes*
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Kitty =^..^= said:
Not going out is so...bad..
Im afraid it lacks alot of originality, i want to stab the Australian women (i think shes an aussie) and the jokes are just nowhere near on par with other sitcoms..sorry
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
American. And you're very much going against the grain with that opinion around here, but fair enough.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Kitty =^..^= said:
sorry...if you must kill me then throw me off a cliff, at least for a split second i can envisage that im flying 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Don't tempt me! *shakes fist menacingly*
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Kitty =^..^= said:
It's that woman! If it wasn't for that woman i might find it ok!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
*whispers* I agree. She bloody annoyed me too.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wout Thielemans said:
I agree and disagree. I think she's attractive and possesses good comic timing. However, her character wasn't very well written. In some episodes she's portrayed as having no sense of humour, and being fairly naive, in others she's sharp as a tack and gives Lee as good as she gets - which is when she is at her best. When they give her 'zany' storylines (the inner clown, teaching a dog to become a vegetarian) both the character and the storyline fall flat.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, beng said:
I think the character of Megan's alright but I do agree about the clowning episode a bit bland. I couldn't imagine a better actress for that character though. Maybe the 2nd series will show a better Kate.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
FYI the first series is being repeated on Monday nights now. First episode is this Monday 30th at 10:35pm on BBC1
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, takeabow said:
First time I enjoyed a sitcom on BBC1 for some time! Some truly great lines, decent performances and nice production values too - clearly going for the slick 'American' look.
Definitely deserved a second series to develop further.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
That's great news!
Not Going Out was probably my favourite sitcom of last year. Looking forward to the new series.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, SamHealr said:
Ok, excuse me one second....
*Screams and jumps in the air for joy*
Now thats over with, I can go find a spare blank DVD.
Anyone know anything about an official DVD release?
Please? With a cherry on top?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Hey SamHealr - no news yet on the official DVD however I'd put money on one being released at the same time as the new series (at the end of the year).
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, beng said:
Thank you so much for the info. I would definitely watch again the 1st series!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Maybe I'll give it a try this time. Yet another one I seem to have missed out on. It's always good to get in at the start.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, beng said:
You should! It's really funny. I wasn't able to watch all the episodes 
though, but the the ones I saw were really good. Hope you'll like it. 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
Its a very stand up sitcom in that its basically one character feeding lines and the other performing stand up.
Not a criticism just an observation. Talking of observations:
Do you ever come out of the toilet and wonder if your hands are wet because you washed your hands or because you didn’t wash your hands?
(my routine is thirty minutes so I won't make you suffer)
When am I going to get a sitcom?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Quote: ajp29 @ April 30, 2007, 1:35 AM
Do you ever come out of the toilet and wonder if your hands are wet because you washed your hands or because you didn’t wash your hands?
(my routine is thirty minutes so I won't make you suffer)
View original
What ? 30 minutes in the toilet or 30 minutes washing (or not washing) your hands? Obsessive compulsive disorder taken to extremes.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
Well I watched the first one of the repeats and i agree it was very funny at times.
"What's she do then?"
"Self'arms"
"What's wrong with selling farms?"
Lee Mack was OK but what was the point of a Yank girlfriend? (What is the point?)
She wasn't very good and her accent was annoying.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Her accent did actually sound like it was put on, even though it wasn't.
She didn't annoy me though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Watched it last night for the first time. Thought it was o.k. The American girl was annoying.
They could've squeezed in a few jokes.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ha.
It does actually get better as well. I wasn't sure about it at first.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Chiaroscuro said:
I'm pleased it's got a second series. It was a pleasant surprise tuning into a BBC sitcom on a Friday night and actually genuinely laughing. It reminded me of the first time I tuned in to One Foot in the Grave, thinking "Oh God, a BBC sitcom" and then ending up really laughing.
I can understand some people's reservation about the American girl, sometimes she seems to be too obviously delivering a comedy line but I thought she was OK. It's Lee and Tim that are the real stars though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: Chiaroscuro @ May 18, 2007, 7:54 PM
I can understand some people's reservation about the American girl, sometimes she seems to be too obviously delivering a comedy line
View original
That's exactly it. Well said.
But I agree, she's fine. Although sometimes I find myself imagining someone like Jessica Stevenson in the role.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Sally Philips for me.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Well, I return. For tonight, I attended the first read-through for series 2, and we were treated to the first two episodes. All fans will be relieved to know that it's easily as funny as series one.
Didn't see any sign of Miranda Hart, but the lovely (and extremely well-cast) Sally Bretton did a great job. Can't wait to see it on our screens!
(Oh, and Zooo will be very pleased to hear that the second episode features Lee as a gay.)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Hurray!!
Now, does he get off with any stable boys?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
No... But there is a scene in a gay bar.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I just read somewhere that the original flatmate in the first series was going to be played by Catherine Tate. 
That would have been weird.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
I fuckin 'ate 'er!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Lee Mack on the US version of The Sketch Show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPUW66ANzB8
(With Kelsey Grammer!) Some of it's actually quite funny.
And, it has one of the exact sketches that Karen Taylor does every week in her show. Not that I'm saying she nicked it or owt.
In fact it was probably the other way around.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, danield1000 said:
Just had a quick look Karen Taylor was in the english sketch show. They used it on that the american verison of the sketch show and touch me i'm karen taylor. A bit old now lol.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
Sorry if this has been mentioned before but in the Radio Times this morning it mentions that Not Going Out is returing for a new series plus Christmas special and also says that some new writers have been employed. Anybody know who they are?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Dave said:
I hope they're not James Hendrie and Ian Brown!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
Quote: Dave @ July 31, 2007, 6:51 PMI hope they're not James Hendrie and Ian Brown!
View original
Too busy appearing in Harry Potter and telling us, "I'm not making another Stone Roses album you little wankers!"
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Dave said:
Quote: hotzappa11 @ July 31, 2007, 8:06 PMToo busy appearing in Harry Potter and telling us, "I'm not making another Stone Roses album you little wankers!"
View original
I'm sorry I don't get it. I'm sure it's funny, though!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Well you see, there are two Ian Browns in this world. Don't know about the other fella though.
I just read that bit in the Radio Times too. I hope they didn't let the 'new writers' write too much.
(Although er, as someone who wants to be a new writer I shouldn't really be slating their inclusion.)
I wonder who they are?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
Quote: Dave @ July 31, 2007, 8:35 PMI'm sorry I don't get it. I'm sure it's funny, though!
View original
There are 2 Ian Brown's. 1 is a writer, who i don't know. The other is a musician, who was in a band called The Stone Roses.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Katie Douglas is one.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, spokes said:
so there's 2 new regular characters in series 2, but does that mean that Megan Dodds as kate isn't in it any more?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Yup. She's gone.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Winterlight said:
I didn't like Not Going Out, but I saw Lee Mack doing live stand up in 2005 and he was absolutely brilliant. I vaguely remembered him from The Sketch Show, but didn't know much about him and was really impressed. I believe he has a stand up dvd coming out in the next few months and I look forward to it.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ August 17, 2007, 6:43 PMYup. She's gone.
View original
Back to America (ie other filming commitments IRL).
Quote: Winterlight @ August 17, 2007, 6:54 PMI believe he has a stand up dvd coming out in the next few months and I look forward to it.
View original
Indeed he does.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
I bet Megan Dodds got deported, lol. 'Tis a sad day.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I think Lee said she's just filming elsewhere.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, spokes said:
aw, shame, i wish they could have worked something out, the 3 of them worked so well together.
I've also seen Lee Mack do his standup thing, he's awesome, although i did recognise some of the jokes from not going out:p
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Yeah, but this series has Sally Bretton instead.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Goldnutmeg said:
Hi
I went to the same read throughs as Aaron at Notting Hill, except I saw the last two episodes being read and it was hilarious. I've never seen it on the telly and when I looked at the clips on the BBC website I thought it was c--- well, not very good. But the read throughs I saw were superb. And it just so happens - I have four free priority tickets for the recording on Saturday, 25th August at Teddington (rail tickets £5.70 from Waterloo) going spare. If anyone wants them or wants more details, contact me on LuvTheatre-owner@yahoogroups.com or post a query here or on one of my other posts.
Alice
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, danield1000 said:
New series starts on Friday.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Really?
I may have to do a happy dance of some sort.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Goldnutmeg said:
Went to the recording of the first episode. Hilarious but a long night - it was the first recording for the new characters and lots of rehearsals beforehand for them.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Here's a picture of the new cast line up.
I'm currently working on a full guide to the new series.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Looking saucy. 
But seriously, I'm looking forward to it. Very enjoyable show IMO.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: Aaron @ August 29, 2007, 2:56 PMLooking saucy.
View original
He certainly is.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Not Going Out is back on Friday!!! WOOOOOOOO! Excuse me. Watched the pilot episode last night for the first time since it originally aired and it was ridiculously funny. Can't wait for the new series, with The IT Crowd and My Name Is Earl also back, it's great to see good sitcoms on the telly again.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Dave said:
Now the American woman has left, I'll watch it. Lee Mack was good in Would I Lie to You?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
I don't think I've ever been so excited about a series coming back.
I watched the first series, and the repeats. Bring it on!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I am 99 exciteds out of a hundred.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
I tell you what - of all the comedies on this year Not Going Out is the one I've been most looking forward to. The new characters should take an already very funny show to an even higher level.
For those that are interested, I've started to bulk out our guide to the show with new info, photos etc. Check it out for a flavour of what is to come!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Who is playing Guy, Lee's new flatmate's boyfriend?
Is it that older bloke in the pic up there? /\
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Correct.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: zooo @ September 4, 2007, 12:08 AMWho is playing Guy, Lee's new flatmate's boyfriend?
Is it that older bloke in the pic up there? /\
View original
Yes it is. He's Simon Dutton.
*cough* Read our guide, we have full character profiles and some mini biogs of the actors *cough*
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Quote: Mark @ September 4, 2007, 9:40 PMYes it is. He's Simon Dutton.
*cough* Read our guide, we have full character profiles and some mini biogs of the actors *cough*
View original
You might want to get some medicine for that cough, mate.
How long until there's an American remake of this show? Maybe Megan Dodds (Kate) could start in it!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
Watched the first series and although there were some good jokes in there it felt much more like one long stand-up routine than a sitcom. I'll tape it again tonight, but do you not find it disappointing that a main character on the show has had to be replaced? Can you imagine if you came up with a stellar cast for your show and one of them couldn't make it for series two, meaning you had to dream up somebody else.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Yes, it is a little annoying I suppose, but the new character(s) are better in some ways, and add a whole different dynamic to the show. Yes, it'll be a bit different from what we became used to, but it should still be a great show.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Mark @ March 31, 2007, 10:58 AM
p.s. If you like Not Going Out watch out for Lee Mack on Radio 2 - he's not on at the moment but when he is there's some good stuff in that.
View original
I'm not sure liking NGO and Lee Mack go hand in hand but I'm looking forward to seeing more characters which should help the storylines.
Quote: David H @ September 7, 2007, 10:08 AMWatched the first series and although there were some good jokes in there it felt much more like one long stand-up routine than a sitcom.
View original
Exactly my view, although having seen the shite that's been coming out of late I'm actually looking forward to this one. I don't know if that's a compliment or not
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
Quote: David H @ September 7, 2007, 10:08 AMWatched the first series and although there were some good jokes in there it felt much more like one long stand-up routine than a sitcom.
View original
That's actually what I like about it.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, danield1000 said:
Brilliant episode loads of laugh out loud moments. I think I prefer Sally Breton as the female. The only thing I didn't like was the over the top breaking of the door when the cleaner left.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Yes, I prefer her as a female as well.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I bet you do. Rawr.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I would just like to announce that we all saw Lee's bum today.
*Dear diary....*
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Sorry 'bout that, get a bit carried away sometimes.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ September 7, 2007, 11:14 PMI would just like to announce that we all saw Lee's bum today.
*Dear diary....*
View original
That was one of the episodes I saw on the read-through night I went to. When he said he'd be nude, I instantly though "Laura will love that".
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ha!
Am so predictable.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
I watch this because I play a game called guess the jokes, if you can't see 95% of them coming then you obviously ain't a comedian. If you saw John McCrewick's tits coming then you need some help.
Having said that I like the show
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Watching the show is so annoying.
Afterwards there's always about 6 excellent jokes I desperately want to remember, but there was such a barrage of them I can't remember a thing.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
Quote: ajp29 @ September 8, 2007, 1:50 AMI watch this because I play a game called guess the jokes, if you can't see 95% of them coming then you obviously ain't a comedian.
View original
I do that too. It's great when you think of a punchline that's funnier than theirs.
I haven't watched last night's episode yet, because, although I was supossed to be not going out, a friend called, and I did.
On a shallow note, I'm looking forward to seeing Lee's botty. And... I can pause it! Yay!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, johnny roulette said:
i really liked this. it was very well written.
its good to see sitcoms like this and IT crowd putting laughs before plot and character development.
very funny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
Quote: johnny roulette @ September 8, 2007, 8:56 AMi really liked this. it was very well written.
its good to see sitcoms like this and IT crowd putting laughs before plot and character development.
very funny.
View original
It's watchable, there's a good joke here and there, but there is no depth. If they don't want to make sitcoms with plots and character development do a sketch show. I can appreciate how well they've done to cram ten jokes into every minute but it's very unrealistic and again, like the IT Crowd, you don't know who the people are. You can't put a handle on them like you can with great sitcoms.
You look at someone like Danny Devito. You see him and his size and think that's pretty funny. But then you build a character for him where he thinks he's a hot shot with the women and the laughter can increase ten fold because you've done the groundwork. These characters in all three shows shown tonight have nothing about them. Their characters have not been built up so you know how they think. They need to go back to basics.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
I thought last night's episode took a while to get going but, when it did, the show was great. It's the obvious wordplay that no one else seems to have actually thought of that makes me laugh - "you don't mill wind".
As David said - character development is a little slow but, in the show's defence, Andrew Collins has indicated that's something they'll be doing more of as the series goes along. Personally I couldn't care less - I quite like the characters just being gag machines.
Did anyone else think Lee Mack looked knackered though?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
No he looked attractively disheveled.
You don't mill wind! That was a great line.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Yes, I'll ditto that. I love those lines. Very sharp and well-observed.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Matthew Stott said:
Pretty good, walking a fine line between being a little bit rubbish and really quite good! I always enjoy it but there are always a lot of crap jokes and very stagey performances, but I think maybe that adds to its charm. Did Lee Mack have such a big stomach in the last series??? Overall, enjoyable, and certainly better than any other mainstream comedy of the last few years.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Nothing wrong with being 'cuddly'.
It can be used as a pillow. I imagine...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
It was a little slow going at the start but picked up in the second half of the episode. It's annoying having new characters because I wanted to see the relationships from series one develop, but saying that, it's still a very enjoyable show and hopefully these new characters find their place.
Didn't like Miranda Hart as the cleaner though was a bit too over-the-top silly.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ September 8, 2007, 1:50 PMNothing wrong with being 'cuddly'.
It can be used as a pillow. I imagine...
View original
I don't doubt that you do.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, katie:) said:
damn....i missed it does anyone know when its repeated xx
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Don't think it is, certainly not for a few months.
If you're using Windows XP though, you should be able to give the BBC's iPlayer a try. It allows you to download the past 7 days' TV and watch it for up to 30 days after that. www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Great to have a great show back. I don't care too much about the character development. If I laugh solid for half an hour, I'll think it's great show. Although, I think that Lee and Tim character's started to develop a bit towards the end of the last series. I'll give the new characters time to develop over this series. With it on just before The IT Crowd, what an hour of comedy!!!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Yes, I liked this very much. Lee, Tim and Miranda Hart were great. Not to sure about Sally Bretton though, although she is nice to look at.
Yes earman, Friday nights are back!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Twitch said:
"it's like stand up but in sitcom form"
The supposedly wise words of my brother. I do wish they had just kept the american bird instead of that stuck up one and that cleaner is really annoying. Most parts were funny but series 2 is a bit of a letdown.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, feck, arse, drink, girls, gobshite said:
This is a terrible show, i watched 10 minutes of series 1 and got bored straight away. This week i decided to watch the whole 30 minutes no matter what but i still hate it, I dont think they have put any effort in this at all
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
?
Oh well, it takes all sorts.
I like the cleaner character. I found her funny. And she's not in it much, after all.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, katie:) said:
oo thanks aaron, i'll give that a try..
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Dave said:
After everybody saying it was good on this board, I decided to watch it, but I could only manage about 15 minutes. What a bad, bad, bad, bad bad, unfunny mess. I can't even bring myself to call it a "comedy".
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Do you like anything Dave?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jeremy Smith said:
Oh god, I think some people missed the point of it. The jokes are meant to be pretty bad, that's why they are funny. And those who say its just like a stand-up routine, thats because its just Tim Vine and Lee Mack doing their stand-up style jokes in a sitcom. Tim Vine, by the way, is hilarious as a stand-up, as long as you watch expecting cringe-worthily bad jokes, with some genius ones stuck in too.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Goldnutmeg said:
Well, I saw it live and loved it. Missed it on TV. The character of the cleaner continues (Miranda Hart with a nice line in deadpan humour) and is a running joke, as far as I could see, having seen this first episode being filmed and attending the rehearsed reading of the last two episodes.
From these three episodes, I thought it was meant to be a conventional sitcom format - layabout ice cream man with vulnerable side and his accountant mate (with vulnerable side but different) and Lee's crush on upwardly mobile flatmate (she gets a boyfriend as well) but at the same time with a touch of the surreal plus lots of wordplay and gags which don't always go in the expected direction.
But interesting to read the varied views. I wonder if any of the series viewed as "classics" now got their first airing in these more fragmented times, how they would do on these forums (not that I know whether "Not Going Out" will ever be viewed as a "classic" ...)?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Britcom Barry said:
Something was bugging me while I watch this. Wasn’t Miranda Hart in the first series as a one of those people who stick pins in you (couldn’t spell the right word or be bothered to look it up)?
Or I’m I just wrong, no mention on IMDB, I couldn’t understand why there was not reference to this.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Yes she was.
You are supposed to have forgotten that. Wipe it from your mind, fool!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I swear at the read through there was some mention of that.
And to the haters of Friday's episode, to be fair, it was far from being the best of the lot IMO. Pretty substandard actually, if I'm honest.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Goldnutmeg said:
I've now looked at it on the BBC iPlayer. I agree with Aaron about it not being the strongest (although admittedly my experience of this series is limited). Even at the time, seeing it live, it didn't seem quite as funny as the rehearsed readings of the last two episodes I went to because the jokes didn't always seem so integrated and the plotting wasn't as clever.
I guess it's very much an episode introducing the situation and the characters.
But one of the things I felt very strongly on seeing it on the iplayer is how the edited laughter breaks up the rhythm of the piece. I've never been to a live sitcom recording before but it's made me rethink my attitude to other sitcoms which have laughter which sounds canned but is actually from a live audience and how it affects the sitcom (and yes, I think at the read through I was at Lee Mack mentioned about Miranda Hart having been in an earlier episode).
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
Quote: Britcom Barry @ September 9, 2007, 8:58 PMSomething was bugging me while I watch this. Wasn’t Miranda Hart in the first series as a one of those people who stick pins in you (couldn’t spell the right word or be bothered to look it up)?
Or I’m I just wrong, no mention on IMDB, I couldn’t understand why there was not reference to this.
View original
I forgot about that. I mean, first you get one of the main characters leaving and having to set up the seventh episode like you did the first and now a woman plays two characters within the seven episodes
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I hadn't watched this before and, knowing it was a pet favourite of the BSG's powers that be, was expecting a lot. I thought it was distinctly average. There were some nice lines and performances in it, and the principals are all very engaging, but for me there was no spark. And certainly nothing to make me become a regular viewer. It also suffered from going out the same night as the vastly superior IT Crowd, which does have a spark of genius about it.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Stick with it, Chip. Whilst I don't think that I love it quite as much as Mark does, it was definitely a weak episode in comparison to the previous. Hopefully it'll pick up this week.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
Quote: Jeremy Smith @ September 9, 2007, 6:38 PMOh god, I think some people missed the point of it. The jokes are meant to be pretty bad, that's why they are funny. And those who say its just like a stand-up routine, thats because its just Tim Vine and Lee Mack doing their stand-up style jokes in a sitcom. Tim Vine, by the way, is hilarious as a stand-up, as long as you watch expecting cringe-worthily bad jokes, with some genius ones stuck in too.
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People do get it but these two have done this stuff before in their stand-up routines and in a sketch show where it is better suited. Sitcoms are about character and the ones in this are paper thin.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, dannyjb1 said:
Quote: Jeremy Smith @ September 9, 2007, 6:38 PMOh god, I think some people missed the point of it. The jokes are meant to be pretty bad, that's why they are funny. And those who say its just like a stand-up routine, thats because its just Tim Vine and Lee Mack doing their stand-up style jokes in a sitcom. Tim Vine, by the way, is hilarious as a stand-up, as long as you watch expecting cringe-worthily bad jokes, with some genius ones stuck in too.
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I LOVE Tim Vine's stand up, got the live DVD. Only caught the last ten minutes of this, and am looking to track down the previous series based on that. I am a huge fan of jokes that make you groan.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
I'm a huge fan of the show, and finally got around to watching last week's episode. I must admit, it seemed a little unpolished compared to the last series, but I put that down to there being new characters and it being the first show of the series. I should imagine there were a few nerves too, after the first series got such good reviews.
I'd have been content with the characters they already had, and I didn't think the cleaning character "fit" somehow. The lines were OK, but I don't think Miranda Hart was the right person for the job.
It still had some very funy gags - I'll reserve judgment for the next episode.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Britcom Barry @ September 9, 2007, 8:58 PMSomething was bugging me while I watch this. Wasn’t Miranda Hart in the first series as a one of those people who stick pins in you (couldn’t spell the right word or be bothered to look it up)?
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Miranda Hart did indeed have a guest spot in the first series as an acupuncturist. The writers liked her performance so much that they wrote the part of the cleaner specifically for her.
The acupuncturist was never given a name so technically the story could be that she quit sticking pins in people to setup her 'international cleaning company'. In reality though the writers have left it up to the observant viewers to decide if there is a connection there - they won't be mentioning it in the show.
Quote: Rustle T Davis @ September 10, 2007, 12:08 PMI'd have been content with the characters they already had
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Sadly they didn't have that option, they had no choice but to tinker with the show's dynamics.
Quote: chipolata @ September 10, 2007, 10:20 AMI hadn't watched this before and, knowing it was a pet favourite of the BSG's powers that be, was expecting a lot. I thought it was distinctly average. There were some nice lines and performances in it, and the principals are all very engaging, but for me there was no spark. And certainly nothing to make me become a regular viewer. It also suffered from going out the same night as the vastly superior IT Crowd, which does have a spark of genius about it.
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Chipolata, and the others that have posted average reviews - do stick with it for another week. I agree with some of the comments above - the episode wasn't the strongest compared to the first series but, in the show's defence...
1. They've had the least time to prepare that episode (the filming of it was brought forward)
2. They had lots to establish in the episode (no more explaining required from this point on)
3. The original creators didn't collaborate on this episode (Andrew Collins and Lee Mack came back together to write this week's episode onwards - Simon Evans, Paul Kerensa and Peter Tilbury wrote the first).
4. That's the first time the cast have all worked together in front of a live studio audience. As Rustle T Davis says, there must have been a few extra nerves. (e.g. Lee Mack didn't seem quite as relaxed as he normally does)
In summary: I thought they did a pretty good job considering what they were up against. There was still lots of great wordplay - milling wind, hundreds and thousands, custard thicker than blood, the dotting Ts, crossing Is gag etc etc.
I'm not trying to overly defend the show - I appreciate for some people it's really not their cup of tea. All I'd say though is if that was the first episode you've seen do stick around for at least one more as it's likely to get stronger and the run goes on and they re-discover the spark that made the first so much fun.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Dave said:
Quote: Leevil @ September 9, 2007, 5:54 PMDo you like anything Dave?
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Yep, I like an unbelievable amount of things. And a good percentage of them are sitcoms. Only Fools and Horses, Frasier, 8 Simple Rules, Blackadder, Rising Damp, Porridge, The Likely Lads, One Foot in the Grave, The Vicar of Dibley, Father Ted, Bean, The Thin Blue Line, Becker, The Dectectives, The Fall and Rise of Reginald Perrin, M*A*S*H, Hancock, Less Than Perfect, As Time Goes By, Goodnight Sweetheart, Taxi, The Good Life, Dear John, The Worst Week of my Life, Watching, I'm Alan Partridge, Just Good Friends, Yes Prime Minsister, Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and To the Manor Born. And the list doesn't end there.
I love those shows. And I'd like to point out to fans of Not Going Out, that the programmes I've just listed are called comedies. A comedy is a TV programme that makes you laugh. Just though I'd mentioned it ... just in case any of you are in doubt.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Just to reiterate. Are comedies programmes that make us laugh, or make you laugh, Dave?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Dave said:
Quote: zooo @ September 10, 2007, 5:47 PMJust to reiterate. Are comedies programmes that make us laugh, or make you laugh, Dave?
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So, you're actually defending Not Going Out? Are you also putting it in the same class as the sitcoms I mentioned? If you are, I can only offer one valuable piece of advice: Seek help.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Dave, don't start that.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Not Going Out makes me laugh. It's as simple as that.
What also makes me laugh a little bit is that anyone genuinely thinks 8 Simple Rules is in some class above.
Still, if it makes you laugh, then go ahead and enjoy. Which is my point.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
Blimey. An age since I've been on here.
For what its worth IMHO, I think the first episode was good but not brilliant. It was always going to be difficult with new characters and having to re-write the storyline. It had some good moments but was more like a get to know you session.
Not sure about Miranda Hart's character though and agree with the earlier post about the door falling off. Too OTT.
I liked the first series so its worth sticking with.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Dave @ September 10, 2007, 5:55 PMSo, you're actually defending Not Going Out? Are you also putting it in the same class as the sitcoms I mentioned? If you are, I can only offer one valuable piece of advice: Seek help.
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Yes, we are. And as we've stated, it was by no means the best. Probably, if we're honest, the worst of the 8 (?) which have been broadcast to date. Don't judge the show so harshly on just one episode, especially when the show's fans aren't screaming about how brilliant it was...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
Quote: Mark @ September 10, 2007, 4:34 PM
They've had the least time to prepare that episode (the filming of it was brought forward)
The original creators didn't collaborate on this episode (Andrew Collins and Lee Mack came back together to write this week's episode onwards - Simon Evans, Paul Kerensa and Peter Tilbury wrote the first).
That's the first time the cast have all worked together in front of a live studio audience.
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Thanks Mark, I hadn't realised any of the above. I didn't think things flowed
like they usually do, and your points go a long way to explaining why. I'm not surprised to hear Andrew and Lee didn't write the first episode.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Walker said:
I like how Less Than Perfect and 8 Simple Rules, two shows i have watched extensively and have yet to find a single good episode, was listed in sitcoms that are better than Not Going Out when the worst episode (the first of this new series) had more laughs in it than an entire season of the other two. Then again that's my opinion.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Dave said:
8 Simple Rules can have Not Going Out for breakfast and still have enough left over for elevenses!
And I bet I laugh more at 8 Simple Rules than you do at Not Going Out!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
It seems you're scared of a sitcom that actually has jokes in it. In a time where cringeworthy and awkward humour is dominating most "comedy" it's good to see a sitcom that is packed with gags. I don't agree with others that say "the jokes are meant to be crap", they aren't, they gags are funny, classics like Police Squad were packed with jokes like that and it's what makes the show great.
This first episode of seires 2 was a bit off I agree, it will take a little while to get use to the new cast and Miranda Hart is terrible but it still made me laugh more than most new comedy.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Yeah ditto Martin, although I quite liked Miranda for once, normally I think she only gets on stuff because of her looks, as in, she's weird looking, lol.
I must've been really in the mood to watch this, but I really enjoyed it, I just thought Sally Bretton was pretty poor a delivering those type of lines, but she's good in The Office and Green Wing.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: Dave @ September 10, 2007, 9:02 PMAnd I bet I laugh more at 8 Simple Rules than you do at Not Going Out!
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Now we've got that argument out of the way, let's move on to the much more important: who stole my crayons, and when is naptime?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
*giggles*
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, SIR STANLEY said:
Does anyone know why Megan Dodds is no longer in the programme? Did she not want to be in a second series or was she no longer wanted?
Cheers
Stan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
She was unavailable due to other filming commitments.
(Oh, and hello Stan! )
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
Hi Stan, welcome to the BSG 
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Quote: Leevil @ September 10, 2007, 9:13 PM
I just thought Sally Bretton was pretty poor a delivering those type of lines, but she's good in The Office and Green Wing.
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In fairness, this is, as far as I'm aware, the first time she has done a sitcom like this. A.K.A On front of an audience. It may have taken her an epsiode or two to get used to it as it would, I imagine, require a different type of acting.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, SIR STANLEY said:
Hi Aaron, many thanks. Glad to see NGO back on the box. Love the humour although it might not be everyones cup of tea! Does anyone know when the DVD of series 1 is out?
Cheers
Stan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
The DVD will be released on the 15th of October.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
Better tonight, although the whole 'pretend to be gay' plot has been done many times before. Still, some sharp lines and funny moments. Enjoyable rather than side splitting in my book.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
I agree Jay - enjoyable. Neither of the first two episodes has been as good as those from the last series though, IMHO.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
Quote: Rustle T Davis @ September 14, 2007, 11:29 PMI agree Jay - enjoyable. Neither of the first two episodes has been as good as those from the last series though, IMHO.
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Yeah, hasn't hit the high spots yet like in Series 1 but that's not a huge criticism. Its a good, watchable BBC1 comedy and how often has that been said in recent years?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
Glad to see they didn't do an obligatory gay plot
I thought tonight's was very slow early doors and it seemed, despite four writers, they had no idea how to get Lee to play gay without having a pretty dull conversation about him having to do it. I still don't see why he couldn't go out. "How do we make him play gay? We'll just say he's got to do it for her." Very contrived.
The bit in the bar with Tim was good and the bit with Lee dancing and Tim catching him was very good, but it seems such hard going at times. Sally Bretton's pause for the audience to laugh seems too exaggerated while the cleaner is just pointless.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, johnny roulette said:
i agree it was slow to get going but once it did there were plenty of laughs.
with this sort of show i think you have to just ignore any attempts at wafer thin plots and enjoy the jokes.
for me i only think the show works when lee or tim (or both) are on screen. its really just a vehicle for their gags. the scenes where they are absent are just painful.
and the cleaner is just not needed. and not funny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
Again it was enjoyable but it's definitely lost something that the first series had, the gags came thick and fast last series and it seems a lot slower this time around.
Andrew Collins wasn't involved in the first two episodes though but he's back next week so maybe we'll see a return to form.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Agree for the most part with what everyone else is saying. Not quite up to last series, but maybe the expectation level is too high? Nonetheless, it's still very enjoyable and there's still plenty of laughs and a few belly laughs too. I don't think the cleaner is completely useless. It's her who shrinks Lee's t-shirt, which makes him look gayer. See. Not completely useless.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Not as enjoyable this week, but it was still good. Lee is great, still not keen on Sally though and Tim is pretty cardboardy, but he's likable.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I must admit, this grew on me the second time, although the girl in it doesn't look nearly as hot as when she appeared in The Office. I'd still do her, though, if she's reading this and wants to get in touch.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Andrew Collins said:
Sorry I'm late. It's been very interesting reading these comments. Because it's the second series I'm feeling less sensitive to criticism, and I'm not taking it personally! Also, the figures have been good again - 3.3 million for the first episode, 3.2 million for the second, with a much higher audience share than the first series (which began with 2.9 million and something like 13%, and we're up to 16% this time) - and I'm glad that, even with caveats (mainly based on the new characters and new set-up), the jokes are still being appreciated by people who liked the first series. No excuses. It's been hard going - I wasn't available for the whole of January, and thus missed the writing of the first episode, and a lot of the setting up; we had five writers working on it this time, overlapping, on various episodes, some writing drafts, others "gagging up", others storylining episodes, as we had the same amount of time to write eight episodes that we had to write six last year (five, if you discount the pilot, which was already written). And they moved the transmission date forward, which means they're working their arses off to get it filmed and edited in time. (We're about two weeks in front at the moment, which isn't a lot.) With all that taken into consideration, I'm pleased with the way it's working out. I wouldn't expect anyone who didn't like the first series to suddenly like this one, but I hope the upcoming episodes repay your patience!
I did co-write Gay, by the way. Contrived? I'll say. That's the fun of writing a sitcom, rather than gritty social realism! Because I haven't been able to get to the recordings yet, I watched Gay go out on Friday night with the rest of you. Many of the gags had been added in rehearsal, so I'd not even heard them myself. I rather enjoyed this. It was like an out-of-sitcom experience.
Thanks for caring enough to write such a long thread about it, even if it's not all positive. We live and learn.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Britcom Barry said:
Just to be different, I think this episode was my favourite so far, more Sit and less com (well gags), slower maybe but this is much more to my taste. More what I would call reaction comedy a rise of a eye brow or a side way look can have me rolling with laughter.
I also like Miranda Hart in most things she does she was by far the best thing in Hyperdrive (the fact there was no mentions on her first series appearance still annoys me wouldn’t now seem right if I went and re-watch the first series)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Are you sure you haven't been busy doing those talking head shows?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Quote: Leevil @ September 17, 2007, 6:19 PMAre you sure you haven't been busy doing those talking head shows?
View original
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
Hey Andrew it's great of you to post on this forum and good to see ratings are doing well for the show.
A quick question, I believe Megan Dodds didn't return for this series due to other filming commitments but is there any chance she will return in the future? Say if you get a third series, I know that's quite a bit in the future but I was interested in watching the Kate/Lee relationship develop. So just wondering if there's any chance of a Kate return.
Thanks.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Andrew Collins @ September 17, 2007, 5:15 PMI did co-write Gay, by the way. Contrived? I'll say. That's the fun of writing a sitcom, rather than gritty social realism!
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Agreed; I would have thought that a sitcom, by definition, is inherently contrived!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
Yeah, I don't really understand the criticism of something being "too contrived" if it's a traditional style sitcom. If it's something like The Office or The Thick Of It then that argument stands but a sitcom in the style of Not Going Out can got crazy with contrived situations. Seinfeld was made up of contrived situations and coincidences and it was an amazing sitcom.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
A little reminder that Andrew Collins reads this thread when I was going on about Lee Mack's bum wouldn't have gone amiss, guys...
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Haha! See if he can get you a mold of it
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ September 17, 2007, 10:32 PMA little reminder that Andrew Collins reads this thread when I was going on about Lee Mack's bum wouldn't have gone amiss, guys...
View original
It's rare that I do literally laugh out loud at things people write around here, but
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
What I'm trying to say is that there was a better/pacier way of getting across the fact he needed to be gay. It felt a very blocky way of doing it.
In the first draft of Friends in the UK they were in the coffee house talking about going to London. But when they added pace and had them getting ready to go to the airport it improved the script no end.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
Quote: zooo @ September 17, 2007, 10:32 PMA little reminder that Andrew Collins reads this thread when I was going on about Lee Mack's bum wouldn't have gone amiss, guys...
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Andrew, Zooo really meant your bum (Does that help Zooo?)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Badge said:
Not seen either of this series' episodes for various reasons but I went to see read throughs of "Lapdancing" and "Baby" (my own invented titles) which both had me laughing my proverbials off in the style of the first series. I love the way you can see some gags coming a mile off but others sneak up and whack you on the head. I hope the rest of the series as filmed lives up to the first.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Andrew Collins said:
Quote: David H @ September 17, 2007, 11:56 PMWhat I'm trying to say is that there was a better/pacier way of getting across the fact he needed to be gay. It felt a very blocky way of doing it.
In the first draft of Friends in the UK they were in the coffee house talking about going to London. But when they added pace and had them getting ready to go to the airport it improved the script no end.
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Thanks for the advice. But if you didn't like Gay, stay away from the fourth episode, Baby, where the reason for Lee and Tim having to look after a baby is just as blocky, I'm afraid. I wish we had the time and money and personnel to hone these scripts, like Friends does, but we work for the BBC!
Quote: Martin Holmes @ September 17, 2007, 7:48 PMHey Andrew it's great of you to post on this forum and good to see ratings are doing well for the show.
A quick question, I believe Megan Dodds didn't return for this series due to other filming commitments but is there any chance she will return in the future? Say if you get a third series, I know that's quite a bit in the future but I was interested in watching the Kate/Lee relationship develop. So just wondering if there's any chance of a Kate return.
Thanks.
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Not much chance, I'm afraid. It was Megan's decision not to do the second series. She's a serious actress and I think wishes to pursue serious drama work on TV, film and in theatre. (After finishing the first series, she went off to do the one-woman play, My Name Is Rachel Corrie, of Broadway in New York.) We were disappointed, but the split was amicable. Dramatically speaking, it would be easy to bring Kate back, as she's just gone back to America. We considered re-casting Kate, but I think you'll agree that would have been a compromise, so we went for a clean slate instead. (Interestingly, some people who post on my blog have said they prefer Tim's character now that he's no longer mooning over his ex.)
Quote: zooo @ September 17, 2007, 10:32 PMA little reminder that Andrew Collins reads this thread when I was going on about Lee Mack's bum wouldn't have gone amiss, guys...
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I won't say a word.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
Andrew, nice of you to come on here, by the way.
What do you make of the criticism that the characters are underdeveloped and that they don't have a handle? It'd be quite difficult to describe the characters to someone. I see it more of in the gap between sketch show and sitcom.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: Andrew Collins @ September 18, 2007, 9:16 AMI won't say a word.
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Thank the lord.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Laura, you ever think that if Andrew reads this, Lee might too?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: Aaron @ September 18, 2007, 1:48 PMLaura, you ever think that if Andrew reads this, Lee might too?
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.....
Let's not go down that road.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Do they have computers in the north?
See, I can make northern jokes too.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Leevil @ September 18, 2007, 2:23 PMDo they have computers in the north?
See, I can make northern jokes too.
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Powered by clockwork and need the candles inside the monitor replacing every few hours, but yes, I'm told so.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
Quote: Leevil @ September 18, 2007, 2:23 PMDo they have computers in the north?
See, I can make northern jokes too.
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Why is that funny?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
I have no idea?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
I think one thing we all would like to know (as it's never covered in Writers & Artists Yearbook) is how much the BBC pay for a half hour sitcom episode? Doesn't have to be exact but a ballpark figure would be nice.
We try to work it out by halving a one hour drama but those drama's are churned out ten a penny so surely can't pay as much as a potential OFAH.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Obscene amounts. Depends if you're talking generally or specifically to NGO as to how obscene though.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: David H @ September 19, 2007, 12:08 PMI think one thing we all would like to know (as it's never covered in Writers & Artists Yearbook) is how much the BBC pay for a half hour sitcom episode? Doesn't have to be exact but a ballpark figure would be nice.
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It obviously varies somewhat depending upon the programme (they're obviously willing to pay more for a comedy written by a well-known writer with famous faces fronting it as it is more likely to bring in a big audience).
I don't have a BBC figure but ITV are typically willing to spend between £250,000 and £800,000 per half hour of comedy. I guess you're trying to work out how much of that goes to the writer though - that's very much down to the production company.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wout Thielemans said:
First episode wasn't too hot: too much explaining how the new situation came about, and it's not really worth putting so much effort into it. There were some good moments, but some pretty bad ones too (I really could have done without the Lee Mack bum shot). I don't think the ice cream van is a really good idea, as nothing has been done with it up to now (2 eps). I wouldn't be surprised if this is changed in the next series.
I also feel that Tim's new status quo isn't as comically interesting as the previous situation, but that may change. It is too bad that Tim Vine can't really use more of his stand-up persona in the series, but he does work very well with Lee. Plotwise it was also a bit of a stretch to have Tim trust the 'estate agent's duties' to Lee, knowing Lee's character.
Second episode was much better, the running gag of the shrunken clothes nicely dovetailing into the 'gay'main plot. Plotwise Guy's insistence on testing Lee's veracity was a bit strange, as he wasn't gay himself and thus seemed to have no real stake in it. And it's a bit soon to have Lucy and Guy become an item, because there has been no chemistry between her an Lee yet. But as a gag-fest, the episode really delivered.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
Quote: Wout Thielemans @ September 20, 2007, 10:58 AM
Plotwise Guy's insistence on testing Lee's veracity was a bit strange, as he wasn't gay himself and thus seemed to have no real stake in it.
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Agree entirely.
Aaron, how much do you suppose comedy writers get? How much do you suppose the woman who wrote that bingo show (name escapes me) got as opposed to Ben Elton for Blessed?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jason Kindred said:
Is Andrew Collins genuinely short, or just one of these normal sized men who look short?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: David H @ September 20, 2007, 11:09 AMAaron, how much do you suppose comedy writers get? How much do you suppose the woman who wrote that bingo show (name escapes me) got as opposed to Ben Elton for Blessed?
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Eyes Down.
Again, it really depends on the show, the writer(s), and the channel. Something like My Family, where the BBC pay ridiculous ammounts (easily a million or so an episode), there's obviously going to be quite a nice cut for the writer of each one. Something newer, or less successful, maybe a few thousand per episode. Too many factors which need to be taken into account. Either way though, you can be assured it'll be a tidy little sum.
Or not so little, as the case may be.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Mr. Andrew Collins, sir?
Would it be possible to suggest some jokes to use in the show? I know that's probably a whole legal mess, ah forgot it.
Shouldn't of made that talking head joke.
LUCY
Why aren't you out selling ice creams?
LEE
Haven't you heard? The sell themselves.
LUCY
Do you make a lot of money?
LEE
Yeah, I've got hundreds and thousands.
LUCY
Really?
LEE
Yeah, right next to the flakes.
---
When do I get paid?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Quote: Leevil @ September 20, 2007, 1:54 PMMr. Andrew Collins, sir?
Would it be possible to suggest some jokes to use in the show? I know that's probably a whole legal mess, ah forgot it.
Shouldn't of made that talking head joke.
LUCY
Why aren't you out selling ice creams?
LEE
Haven't you heard? The sell themselves.
LUCY
Do you make a lot of money?
LEE
Yeah, I've got hundreds and thousands.
LUCY
Really?
LEE
Yeah, right next to the flakes.
---
When do I get paid?
View original
They've already made a hundreds and thousands joke. Sorry if this disappoints you.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Haha! I'm not surprised. That wasn't my attempt at a submission, that was an attempt to replicate the style of the show.
LUCY
You don't look well.
LEE
Throw a penny in and wish me better.
---
Ooh that's a weird joke.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
I do hope, for Andrew's sake, that he's left this thread now.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Yeah, crazy woman about, obsessed with bums!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
Andrew, thanks for adding your comments to the thread.
For me, the first series was one of the best comedy series I'd seen in a long time - I even watched the repeats! It was fresh and new and I was mesmerised by Lee's character in particular. His delivery is so on the button. I absolutely loved the episode where he went to see the shrink - it had me in stitches!
It must have been incredibly difficult to write a second series of something so fast-paced and crammed with so many rapid-fire jokes.
Even though I don't feel the second series is 'quite' on par with the first, it's still fantastic 'Friday night in with a glass of wine' comedy.
There are bound to be people who don't find it funny - we all like different things. It doesn't matter a jot really, so long as it's pulling in the punters - and it is. I have high expectations for a third series when both the writers and actors are completely tuned into the characters. Lessons will also have been learned from the second series.
I enjoyed last night's episode and loved the writing in Tim's scene when the lapdancer was dancing for him. Loved the bit with the ice-creanm van too - when Lee opened the curtain and there was a queue of kids standing there. Brilliant.
PS, thanks to whoever wrote in the aformentioned naked bum shot - I'm not ashamed to say it was a great moment!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
Last nights episode was great. I felt it got back to the more fast-paced gags. Three vivisection jokes in less than..say..a minute!
I agree with the poster above the scene with Thaila Zucchi giving Tim a lapdance was great not just because Thaila is a beautiful woman but the dialogue in that scene was brilliant, "I know that you think I'm just playing hard to get.." etc.
Still not quite sure on the Lucy character though, hopefully by the end of the series I'll have grown to like her.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Maybe if she did a lapdance, you'd get to like her?
The only male character we haven't seen naked now is Tim...
Next week?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
Ha, a lapdance may improve her likability yeah.
In all seriousness I think she is a decent actress but just haven't quite got use to her character yet, she doesn't seem to click as well with Lee and Tim and the style of humour, if you get me.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Wout Thielemans said:
Good points of the episode: Tim was more in the spotlight, and used better. The chemistry between him and Lee is what makes the series special (aside from the huge amount of mainly good gags.
The ice cream van made its debut!!
Lee's character was once again shown to be more than a heartless joke-machine. I really like the moments where the vulnerability and conscience of Lee break through the cynical cover of his gags-smokescreen, like a ray of sunlight breaking through the heavy cloud cover of a dismal, deeply gray day.
The lap dance sequence was a nice contrast of words and action. A bit gimmicky, but it worked.
Personally, I like the cleaner overall, though I seem to be in a minority judging from board response. Still, I feel she's been given a few nice gags and moments throughout the season. I wouldn't miss her if she were written out, but I'm not put off by her either. Maybe a nice running gag would have been that having Miranda Hart showing up as a different but identical character in every episode (kind of Twilight Zoney - she's almost haunting Lee). Her appearance in season One was still stronger than what she's been given here, but that's because she does fake friendliness covering up steely bureaucratic resolve (see Lead Balloon as well) so well.
Bad points: the male bum. Ugh!!! Pet peeve of mine. When oh when will sitcoms finally mature enough to dare and show a female bum once in a while? (the lapdance club was the perfect opportunity for that). Equal nudity, please!! :-)
Lucy: still not very likeable nor appealing. Her love for Guy (who first is thought to be gay, then owns a strip club) becomes less and less believable by the minute. And because we don't yet know enough about what makes her tick, it's hard to care about what happens to her or to be amused by her follies and imperfections. It seems that developing good female characters is the main problem with this series.
Resolution of Tim/Rosie storyline was a bit too pat and not very convincing emotionally. And I think that comedy gold could be spun from somewhat weird and uptight accountant Tim trying to come to grips with a relationship with a lap dancer, at least for a couple of episodes. And if Lee started fancying her (most importantly, she's got really great tits), that might give rise to more interesting interpersonal conflict between the guys than the troublettes with Lucy.
So overall an enjoyable but not stellar episode.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Quote: Wout Thielemans @ September 22, 2007, 1:15 PM
Lee's character was once again shown to be more than a heartless joke-machine. I really like the moments where the vulnerability and conscience of Lee break through the cynical cover of his gags-smokescreen, like a ray of sunlight breaking through the heavy cloud cover of a dismal, deeply gray day.
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Ah, the poetic beauty of le Mack.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
I enjoyed the episode too. Some good jokes in there. Still feels as though all the jokes are written down first and then the other bits are written in. If the jokes were reduced and more character written in it could be really very good.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, earman2009 said:
Funniest episode of the series so far. Starting to catch up with series one, I think. I didn’t notice Andrew Collins in the credits though. I think he and Lee should write all the episodes. It may not be possible, I know, but I think the series would be better if they wrote all of the episodes.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, SIR STANLEY said:
I love the humour but find I have to watch the episode a couple of times to really appreciate it. Thats the beauty of sky plus I suppose (oh and video recorders too). I really must get out more.
I also like Miranda Harts character - just wish I had someone to come and clean my house that frequently...
Stan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
Best episode of the 3 so far. Some good gags, and I'm warming to Miranda Hart a bit more now.
And the lass playing Tim's girlfriend was pretty hot!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ohhhh, was that the fake aussie woman from Big Brother?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, AnsonMan said:
I love this comedy - and last night's episode was the best of the series so far in my opinion. Some really classy gags and a great situation. The cast seem to have finally settled down too - they didn't look nervous this week.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
This and The IT Crowd are now the highlights of my week.
I never saw the all first series, but if it's meant to be better I will defintly be getting it on DVD.
This show is just fun, and funny and Lee is a really likeable character. If it started to be a bit more "cleverer" with it's plots and ideas, I could easily imagine Lee on par with Jerry Seinfeld, excpet Lee is likeable, I love Seinfeld, but he can come across as a bit of a prick sometimes .
Miranda is good, but she should be kept to a min. She spoke too much this week and it wasn't that funny, but I still like her presence.
I think Sally needs to play it straight, although she did seems more confident this week so good one her
So yeah, I liked it, you have my approval.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
Quote: Martin Holmes @ September 22, 2007, 12:29 PM
I agree with the poster above the scene with Thaila Zucchi giving Tim a lapdance was great not just because Thaila is a beautiful woman but the dialogue in that scene was brilliant,
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Tim was in that scene!?! She had dialogue!?! Must have zoned out
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Was I the only one who didn't want to bang her then?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
When we first saw her, I remember being surprised she was playing her usual smutty self, but of course she was a librarian I should have seen it coming.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: zooo @ September 23, 2007, 12:37 PM
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Well, yeah.
Quote: Leevil @ September 23, 2007, 12:52 PMWhen we first saw her, I remember being surprised she was playing her usual smutty self, but of course she was a librarian I should have seen it coming.
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Seen it coming! Boom boom!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Wout Thielemans @ September 22, 2007, 1:15 PMLucy: still not very likeable nor appealing. Her love for Guy (who first is thought to be gay, then owns a strip club) becomes less and less believable by the minute. And because we don't yet know enough about what makes her tick, it's hard to care about what happens to her or to be amused by her follies and imperfections. It seems that developing good female characters is the main problem with this series.
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Disagree. She's not quite the same as Kate admittedly, but I like her. Either way, there is definitely room for improvement and growth.
Quote: Wout Thielemans @ September 22, 2007, 1:15 PMResolution of Tim/Rosie storyline was a bit too pat and not very convincing emotionally.
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Agree.
Quote: Leevil @ September 23, 2007, 12:52 PM...usual smutty self...
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Usual? Who is she?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Leevil said:
I dunno? But whenever I see her she's half naked, which ain't a bad thing.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
I knew i'd seen that woman before in my dreams *starts gazing into nothingness* I mean Balls of Steel. I like her because she is using her boody for comedy purposes which means theres hope for attractive people like me
The replacement for thhe American woman I think is just the same character but this time shes the other way round. Annoyed at Tim most of the time then she comes round and sees what a nice bloke he is.
Also it was a good episode last friday as I only predicted about 90% of the jokes
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Annoyed at Lee, you mean.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
Yep thats what I meant, been up for too long so words are sort of merging into one big mush, only these M&Ms are keeping me awake.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, ContainsNuts said:
Quote: Andrew Collins @ September 17, 2007, 5:15 PMI wouldn't expect anyone who didn't like the first series to suddenly like this one
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First of all, thanks for your comments on this forum Andrew. Much appreciated, and congratulations on the success of Not Going Out and being a successful comedy writer in general - I can only dream.
Just interested in the point above as there seems to be lots of changes in this series ie more characters, actors etc and I assumed this was to appeal to a wider audience but was it just a new direction to open up more storylines?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Andrew Collins said:
Quote: Jason Kindred @ September 20, 2007, 11:57 AMIs Andrew Collins genuinely short, or just one of these normal sized men who look short?
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Five feet eight and a half inches.
Quote: ContainsNuts @ September 25, 2007, 4:49 PMFirst of all, thanks for your comments on this forum Andrew. Much appreciated, and congratulations on the success of Not Going Out and being a successful comedy writer in general - I can only dream.
Just interested in the point above as there seems to be lots of changes in this series ie more characters, actors etc and I assumed this was to appeal to a wider audience but was it just a new direction to open up more storylines?
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As far as I know, there was no pressure upon us to appeal to a wider audience. The numbers for series one (around the three million mark) were sufficient to get us a second series. To be honest, if Megan hadn't bowed out, we'd have carried on with what we were doing, albeit we'd have had to develope she and Lee's relationship to avoid repetition. Her leaving gave us the opportunity to try a new lead character out, and we felt that making her explicitly unavailable (ie. going out with Guy) would stop series two just being about Lee trying to get off with Lucy. The barrier to him being with Kate in series one was Tim. The barrier in this one, with Lucy, is essentially Guy.
I note that we're up in the ratings for episode three - up to 3.4 million. That pleases me more than anything.
Thanks for all your comments. It's heartwarming that this many people take sitcom so seriously.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, brentbent said:
I think series 1 of NGO was superb--I've watched all the episodes at least twice and its premiere near a half dozen times--but series 2 has seriously tanked. First off, the introduction of Sally was beyond contrived and their competition to become the flat owner was ineptly done. Plus, why did Kate have to leave at all? She was lovable and I enjoyed the Sam & Diane secretly simmering love between her and Lee and the love/hate Tim had for his ex while Sally is icy and not that likable plus there seems to be no real love between her and her brother. I really don't care what happens to Sally's character, which makes her boring. Miranda Hart as their new maid--I enjoyed her in Hyperdrive, which was not a great show but fun to watch nonetheless--is barely one dimensional with her single joke being her domestic incompetence. Then there's Sally's new boyfriend who they think is gay but isn't and I'm sorry but why would somebody as obviously hot as Sally settle for some old geezer who owns a strip club? We've gone from the idealistic and optimistic Kate who would have been outraged at the exploitation of women to the morally indifferent Kate who doesn't care that her boyfriend is a glorified pimp. And what happened to Tim's new job every week? Now he's stuck as an ice cream man, which limits his character and the jokes to be made at his expense over his newest crap job. It feels like the show was seriously retooled after several focus groups in an effort to make something that was a hit into an even bigger success and instead they ruined what made the show great. Perhaps if I had never seen series 1 and was unaware of how great the show could be series 2 wouldn't be such a disappointment but I did and it is.
The best way they could end series 2 would be for Sally to die in a car wreck with her boyfriend after picking up the maid and then Lee, in need of much consoling, gets Kate to move back in with him rekindling the love triangle between them and Tim. It's that triangle that gave the characters an underlying sizzle and now that Tim's sister is a part of the equation that fire is out.
And nobody better disagree with me because I'm an American and if you dare do so I will have you declared an enemy combatant and renditioned to a third world prison! ;o
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
oh, ouch brentbent!
If you haven't seen the third episode of the new series yet do give that a go... most people seem to agree that it was the best of the series so far and a return towards what series one was like.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
Quote: Aaron @ September 23, 2007, 7:13 PM
Usual? Who is she?
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It's Thaila Zucchi she was in Big Brother this year, playing the 'fake Australian housemate'. She was also in Balls Of Steel (but we can forgive her for that).
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
I only had the chance to see the 3 episodes a couple of days ago and, all in all, was pretty disappointed.
For me the main plus points of the first series by far were the performances of Lee and Tim so the loss of Megan Dodds shouldn't have been that significant. Unfortunately though the replacements don't do anything for me at all. I've yet to find Miranda Hart funny in anything she's done and the characters of Lucy and Guy are neither amusing nor appealing.
The 3rd episode was an improvement as people have said and that's mainly because Tim and Lee played a larger role in it. Does anybody know, by the way, why Tim was hardly in episode 2? It was pretty dire anyway.
If the show does get a third series I hope that they choose to focus much more on Tim and Lee as they are the most likeable characters and the most talented performers imo.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Andrew Collins said:
Quote: brentbent @ September 27, 2007, 10:03 AMIt feels like the show was seriously retooled after several focus groups in an effort to make something that was a hit into an even bigger success and instead they ruined what made the show great.
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As much as I'd love to fuel your conspiracy theory, there were no focus groups, and our masterplan was to make series two as good as series one. You're entitled to your views, but if it fails it's because of us, not some interfering BBC management suits (whoever they are).
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
Who is the real sick man? The business man in his suit and tie.
(90's cult comedy referencing is cool)
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
Ooh, I think I love you.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
Quote: Andrew Collins @ September 27, 2007, 9:56 AMIt's heartwarming that this many people take sitcom so seriously.
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Some a little too seriously it seems. I guess it depends what you're looking for in a comedy. I'm looking for something to make me laugh and Not Going Out does that every time - even the episodes that perhaps don't show the best writing.
Whenever Tim and Lee are on the screen I have a permenant grin on my face, because I know it's only a matter of seconds before they're going to say something to make me chuckle. That, for me, is good comedy. Supporting actors are surely there to increase the scope for comedy - I couldn't care less why they're there, how they got there, or where they're going next.
I've sat through numerous "perfectly-structured" sitcoms without so much as a smile. Give me a couple of fantastic lead characters and a bucket full of jokes and innuendos, and I'm a fan for life. There's currently no TV programme I look forward to more than Not Going Out.
Andrew, if you're still around ... how did the name for the show come about?
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
That episode was literally too good.
Not just packed with funny lines, it had four or five laugh out loud lines.
For me this show can be the number one sitcom of the last few years. Bring in a few more writers and perhaps do 10 episodes? Maybe give it a more accessible 9pm slot too. I think we've waited a long time for a mainstream, audience sitcom that shun naturalism, and lots of reaction shots - and this is it!
Mack can lead the line and be the star, it suits him very well - and his scenes with Vine show a really strong double act (The Chandler and Joey or George and Jerry of the show) and Sally Bretton is improving, and had some great lines.
Very, very good. Maybe the best ever episode of NGO? Easily as good as the brilliant first season.
Congrats to Andrew Collins and his team.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
Loved tonight's episode. Definitely the best of this series and as Seefacts says, as good as any episode from the first series.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, puffinpol said:
Really good episode. Sharper dialogue and more of the unexpected - and expected - twists and turns. Sometimes seeing a joke coming doesn't matter. There was a charm again that seemed to be missing in the previous episodes of this series. I can't warm to Sally and Guy particularly but Lee and Tim are brilliant together. This show must appeal to a wide age range and I think it succeeds in being mainstream but a little offbeat at the same time.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
Brilliant episode tonight, it's not often nowadays that I literally cry with laughter but this show provided that tonight. Lots more Tim and Lee scenes which really improved the show. The whole bit about the 'eating the appendix' was just a string of cracking gags, had me laughing like a loon. No Miranda Hart also improved tonights episode.
Oh and this show just pisses all over The IT Crowd that I just watched and didn't raise so much as a smile, I just felt embarrassed for it.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, zooo said:
(I loved them both.)
That baby was a good actor.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I must admit to being a little distracted during watching tonight's episode, so maybe missed something. Anyway, on what I saw, it was definitely very good, but not sure quite to the extent some people are saying.
And sadly, although I like her in general, one particular couple of lines from Sally towards the beginning were just awful. Delivered as if being read from the script for the first time - very similar to what I saw on the read through I attended.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Martin Holmes @ September 28, 2007, 10:36 PM
Oh and this show just pisses all over The IT Crowd that I just watched and didn't raise so much as a smile, I just felt embarrassed for it.
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Come on, NGO was better yeah, but Linehan writes and directs a visual gag better than any other of writer around - see the hand/ambulance gag.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
That was just plain poor.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
Quote: Seefacts @ September 28, 2007, 11:04 PMCome on, NGO was better yeah, but Linehan writes and directs a visual gag better than any other of writer around - see the hand/ambulance gag.
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I'm sorry I really wanted to like The IT Crowd, the first series showed promise and the first episode of series 2 was great but mostly everything else has just been awful, especially tonights episode. The hand gag wasn't even good, I know you are suppose to suspend some belief, but come on the emergency services would check his hand before putting him in the ambulance. It was too over-the-top and not in a funny way.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David Chapman said:
There is no comparison.
IT Crowd is funny funny funny whereas Not Going Out is just funny.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Martin Holmes @ September 28, 2007, 11:11 PMI'm sorry I really wanted to like The IT Crowd, the first series showed promise and the first episode of series 2 was great but mostly everything else has just been awful, especially tonights episode. The hand gag wasn't even good, I know you are suppose to suspend some belief, but come on the emergency services would check his hand before putting him in the ambulance. It was too over-the-top and not in a funny way.
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Of course you suspend belief - it's a sitcom!
The IT Crowd hasn't been 100% great - and NGO has been the better show - but Linehan is one of the funniest writers of the last 25 years. (I'm a staunch GL fan, and he's a huge influence on me)
Back to NGO - I'd say this episode has been the funniest sitcom episode since Peep Show.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Jay72 said:
Yes, this weeks episode was very good. Episodes with children in can be particularly awful (too saccharine usually) but I thought the writers pulled this off really well (similar to the first series when a teenage kid was staying in Lee's flat).
Tim and Lee work so well together and there was some great banter last night. Okay, you can see some gags coming (the baby was never going to have swallowed the ball) but there are always nice twists that you don't spot.
Lucy and Guy are not the strongest characters but are relevant to the plot, while I think i've actually warmed to Tim more than series 1. Wasn't unhappy about Miranda Hart not being in last night's show. There isn't anything she could have added to the episode.
And for me, it was just as silly and as good as the IT Crowd. Yes, both are OTT but isn't most comedy (and come to think of it, isn't most reality TV OTT?). Both are funny and have made Friday nights watchable.
Phew! That's all.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, johnny roulette said:
this was a brilliant episode. my wife doesn't usually get comedy very well but she was nearly crying with laughter. i like the way that when they pay off a gag they will have a succession of pay-offs - gag, gag, gag. the whole series has been good. tim and lee work really well. i can't remember a british sitcom where you have two wise-cracking characters bouncing off each other.
i switched over to IT Crowd and hardly laughed at all. i think it seemed poor because NGO had been so good.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
I've got to disagree slightly with the consensus here. Liked lots of things about it, getting kitted out for Subutteo, Tim and Lee together cracking one-liners. But the structure was dull (oh no, gets a phone call, baby already at Lee's. Can you mind it? Would Larry David write something as predictable?) Lee at the hospital in his coat I thought was boring and unrealistic and just what is Lucy and Guy's relationship based on, a few one-liners? The characters do not grow because there are too many shots at a laugh. It needs to tone down one and bring up the other.
If there was a serious situation you have to react like it, like normal people, and then maybe inject a slight joke to lighten the mood. Not throw in a load of gags about it. It makes it unbelievable. I want to care for sitcom characters like I care for ones in Frasier, Cheers, Arrested Development, Friends, Seinfeld, but there's nothing to cling onto with these cardboard cut-outs.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
David - I think you've not quite grasped the idea - Not Going Out isn't trying to be a realistic portrait of the life of an ice cream salesman - it's just an excuse for some really good jokes. It's not a comedy drama - its an all-out sitcom.
In real life Lee of course wouldn't have been able to wander around the hospital like that or just start using their machines. The fact is isn't realistic doesn't make it dull in my book; the Mr Whippy on his coat joke was ace!
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, SIR STANLEY said:
Definately the best episode yet. Loved the line at the end when Tim said the baby hadn't swallowed the ball and Lee replied 'well maybe he swallowed everything and we're all inside his stomach'! (or something like that...)
It really comes into its own with the banter between Lee and Tim.
Superb.
Stan
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Yes, I loved that line too.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Nick said:
Definitely the strongest episode of the series and it's no coincidence that the cleaner didn't appear and Lucy and Guy were only fleetingly on screen too.
I agree with Mark's earlier comments that it's an all-out sitcom but I do think that there could still be more to it. If there is a 3rd series then I hope that they axe 2 or 3 characters and make sure that any future supporting characters serve more of a purpose on screen.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Martin Holmes said:
One of my favourite bits was when Lee in his Mr Whippy shirt was running out of the hospital and that patient shouted to him and he said "I'm not a Doctor!" and she said "I know..I want an ice lolly". Superb
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, David H said:
Quote: Mark @ September 29, 2007, 11:08 AMDavid - I think you've not quite grasped the idea - Not Going Out isn't trying to be a realistic portrait of the life of an ice cream salesman - it's just an excuse for some really good jokes. It's not a comedy drama - its an all-out sitcom.
In real life Lee of course wouldn't have been able to wander around the hospital like that or just start using their machines. The fact is isn't realistic doesn't make it dull in my book; the Mr Whippy on his coat joke was ace!
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Isn't trying to be a portrait of an ice-cream salesman??? What are you talking about? I know exactly what's it's trying to be, but good sitcoms have characters who show development which makes them even funnier because you know what they're like.
NGO is good, throwaway fun, no doubt. But it's still more like The Sketch Show with a bit of a plot.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Your definition of a "good" sitcom seems to be from a writer's perspective though. Original, clever, structured, well-developed, and so on. Mark, myself - and crucially, the vast, vast majority of both the target and actual audience - define it as just something that's funny. Which, judging by the ratings, it most certainly is.
On Wednesday 31st December 1969 GMT at 7:00 PM GMT, SM186 said:
Hello there! I'm new to all this and this is my first post so I'm hoping it'll work!
I'm loving the new series of Not Going Out. Last nights episode was absolutely hilarious and definatly the best so far this series. I was also fortunate enough to go to the read through for this episode so I've been looking forward to it since the series started.
I also very much enjoyed the second episode 'Gay' although I appear to be in the minority as there have been a few on here who weren't so keen, although I totally agree that it can take a few viewings of an episode to really appreciate it.
I quite like the character of Barbara the cleaner, she's preditacble most of the time but makes me smile all the same. I've taken some time to warm to Lucy and Guy but I now enjoy the fact that they are there for Lee and Tim to play off as opposed to enjoying them as characters.
As for Lee and Tim, the chemistry between their characters really makes this programme in my opinion. I watch it and believe that they are truly like their characters-which Im guessing t