Going out again
The third series of Not Going Out begins tonight at 9.30 on BBC1. For the record, again, my involvement with this series was reduced from series one (for which I co-wrote all six episodes, in a room with Lee) and series two (for which I co-wrote five episodes, partly in a shed with Lee, but mostly on my own, in a room), due to other work commitments and boring stuff. As a result, I only worked on one of the seven episodes, although I have to say, I'm as proud of this one - which goes out next week, entitled Winner - as any of the others I've co-written with Lee. We have a couple of new writers this time around, but the premise and cast are the same as series two, and Lee's hand is always on the tiller in terms of quality control. There's a really good interview with Lee on the British Sitcom Guide site. I've seen scripts and read-throughs but didn't get to the recordings, so I'll be sitting down to watch tonight's opening episode - which has a very rude premise - just like anybody else. I hope you like it. I'm still incredibly proud to have a hand in it and in many ways can't believe we're at series three. (Series two is out on DVD on February 2, on which I was invited to take part in one of the audio commentaries with Lee and Tim.)
posted by Andrew Collins @ 2:04 PM
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Andrew you might be to young for this but there was a sitcom vehicle for Dickie Henderson made in the sixties that featured a cool split level apartment,.....er that's it.
I'm sure it also had a swingtastic theme tune.
The Dickie Henderson reappraisal starts here.
Andrew, I've enjoyed NGO immensely, but I missed all but what I think was the last episode of series 1 where a different actress was used (I seem to remember she was American).
I am curious to know why she was dropped. I thought it was an interesting dynamic.
Also was the 'cleaner' involved in the first series or did she come in later?
Is it me or is Tim Vine the real star of the series. A major surprise to find that his acting is far better than most other comedians efforts when they are inevitably given a TV vehicle to try to shine (are you reading this Frank Skinner). Not that Lee Mack isn't too shaby either. So really looking forward to this evening's show. Shame you couldn't get involved a bit more with the show this time as I found the first series a better written effort than the second which didn't quite strike the same comedic heights. Flattery will get me know where I know.
Are they going to shut the door this series? I would love to watch but I don't think I can cope with the strain.
Adam, you're referring to Megan Dodds, the American actress who played Kate (Tim's ex and Lee's landlady) in series one. She wasn't dropped. Megan couldn't do the second series so we had to come up with a new female character and came up with Lucy, who we made Tim's younger sister so that Tim would still disapprove of Lee ever "going out" with her. (We needed a barrier, to keep the story going.)
The cleaner, Barbara, was introduced in the second series so that Lee would have someone else to confide in, which we found very useful in terms of plotting. (Not everybody likes her, but we really do, and Miranda Hart had played an acupuncturist in series one and was so good, we really wanted to use her in a more permanent capacity.)
I agree that Tim is a good actor. It wouldn't be the same without him.
Andrew, thanks. It's always good fun to get an insight into a series. I wasnt sure of Barbara when she started, but I really like the character now.
It would be good to bring Megan back and add a bit of competition with Lucy - depending on where this series goes you could have Lucy suddenly getting jealous without wanting to let on and reverse the dynamic and make it all about Lucy not wanting Lee to go out with..ahh..you get the point.
If it's not too an imperninant question, is Lee in 'real life' much different to 'Lee' in the show?
Lee in real life works very hard indeed. Lee in the programme is workshy. But somewhere within the real Lee is the fictional one - he's the default setting for us all, isn't he? We're all lazy at heart. (Also, Lee has a family in real life - he says in the British Sitcom Guide interview that it would be nice to play a character with a family - but that's clearly a long way in the future for the fictional Lee.)
Unfortunately I completely missed the first series of Not Going Out simply because I so mistrust BBC1 when it comes to comedy. Look at what they usually offer, 'The Green, Green Grass', 'My Family' , 'The Life of Riley' and 'After You've Gone'. All hugely unfunny stinkers.
It's only by chance that I watched a re-run of series 2 and really enjoyed it. It's sharper than most and I like the cast.
It's the same story Andy Hamilton's 'Outnumbered', which I think is also enjoyable.
I didn't watch the first two series because I've never heard of it before now, but I hope series three is better than the incessant trailers suggest. Lee Mack looks about as good at comedy acting as I am stand-up-- and presumably those are some of the better bits.
Well, I enjoyed it, and it sits nicley in the half nine slot after Qi.
I'm one of the people who likes Miranda Hart in the series. She was also the only good thing in Hyperdrive. I fully expect to see Tim Vine crop up as a serial killer or the husband of a battered wife on Casualty one day.
This is meant as a compliment on his acting. My only wish is that one day Channel 5 will repeat his Christmas Special from 10 years ago. My Verification word is fignone.
I loved Friday's episode. Absolutely loved it.
It was good to read clivec's comment above - I'm glad I'm not the only one who gets nervous when they leave the flat's door open.
Andrew, if the fourth series does indeed come along, could you please include the stage directions, "SHUTS DOOR" whenever possible please!
I've liked the series since the start, and thoroughly enjoyed Friday's episode, which was the funniest sitcom episode I've seen since... well Ok, since the IT Crowd, but it's well clear of anything else around. Miranda Hart is great in it - I echo the Hyperdrive comment above.
My verification word is buladm, which sounds like a German private medical group.
Cheers,
Graeme
I thought it came back all guns blazing on Friday - great fun and a wierd meeting of northern and southern comedy (therefore in theory everyone in the Midlands should love it).
Miranda didn't seem as shoe horned in this episode and her character has really grown on me.
Look forward to the rest of the series
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