Not Going Out

[Caribeing]

New series started tonight not the same now that they are married with kids it's more "like married with children!"

[Old_Geezer]

Didn't think it was as amusing as it has been in previous series, but I suppose it needs to get into the new role.

[Buenchico]

"Not Going Out"???

"Amusing"???

In the same thread??? Does not compute!!!

'Not Going Out' is one of many examples of TV producers thinking that stand-up comedians can act, when the truth is that most of them can't! Lee Mack is appalling!

The best TV comedies nearly always come about because specialist comedy writers (e.g. Roy Clarke, Galton & Simpson, Perry and Croft) produce brilliant scripts, which are then made into masterpieces by professional actors (e.g. Bill Owen, Harry H Corbett, John Le Mesurier). With very few exceptions (e.g. Victoria Wood) comedy programmes written by, and starring, stand-up comedians can't possibly match such high standards.

[-Talbot-]

You forgot to say



imo

[Canary42]

It was never more than a load of stand-up one-liners poorly tagged together.

[Buenchico]

^^^ Nicely summarised, Canary42!

[anneasquith]

I watched for 2 minutes ...!!!!!

[fiction-factory]

The kids seemed to be sent upstairs at the start of each scene so were hardly ever seen. The kids didn't sound natural at all and didn't add anything (okay the girl did come up with a good line).

IMO

[Old_Geezer]

Previously it was one of the best comedy shows going, mainly but not exclusively due to the witticisms scripted for Lee to deliver. But other characters also acted as foils who would banter with him and/or add humour of their own. They seem no longer available. Add a daft storyline basis that someone will continually needle their partner again and again for a simple forgotten anniversary and the episode loses big time. The new series may improve but it has work to do. It's basically a different show to what it used to be, as the OP pointed out.

[Cloverjo]

I seen a few episodes of previous series. I didn't find it funny at all. As Canary said, a load of one liners delivered with clunking great neon signs pointing the way.

I can't the woman in it, either.

[Cloverjo]

I can't bear the woman, I meant to say.

[Gromit]

Taking a stand up and building a sit-com around them is an American idea. 'Not going out' even has American style credits and song. It doesn't really work over here.

[theshedman]

It may be a bit like Married with chilldren but not as funny. One of my favourite shows with the Bundy's

[Cloverjo]

I love those American series. Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthuiasm, Ellen, Roseanne. Not Going Out really isn't up to those standards.

[Gromit]

US shows tend to have a writing team. Could be 20 people competing to get their gags into the final script.
UK comedy writers tend to be individuals or pairs, and they produce the final script.
Both systems have their merits, one isn't better than the other. But 'Not Going Out' falls between two stools. It tries to be Ametican, but the broad pallete of ideas isn't there.

[malagabob]

I must be alone then I enjoyed it. I must be easily amused. I found the last series episodes going downhill from a good start.

[-Talbot-]

Haven't seen the new 'Not going out' but I know even now I would rather watch it than Last of the summer wine, Steptoe or Dad's army.

The only thing I remember from those masterpieces is bathtub/hill Sink/Steptoe and ''don't tell him Pike''

[elliemay1]

//The kids seemed to be sent upstairs at the start of each scene so were hardly ever seen. The kids didn't sound natural at all and didn't add anything (okay the girl did come up with a good line). //
Ff, what was the good line?

[Islay]

I really enjoyed it, had me laughing out loud in a few places and had scenes that I could relate to in my own life!

[Calibax]

I used to like the early series of NGO with Tim Vine. I was very disappointed with this new one. I'm not sure the concept works now they are married with kids.
The children (little more than overacting stage-school extras) seemed incidental or even a hindrance to the plot.

[pixie374]

I haven't seen the new one yet, although I did really like it before. I'm not even a fan of Lee mack or Tim Vine. My friend's daughter had an audition for the part of the daughter, but didn't get it. Maybe she should have.