Not Going Out: End of Series Review

1st June 2013

Much like its protagonist, Not Going Out may be simple and not very refined, but it certainly is funny. Finishing its sixth series on Friday night, it’s easy to see how Lee Mack’s sitcom survived a brief cancellation and now maintains a steady audience on BBC One. A solid rather than ground-breaking comedy that would never spring to mind if someone were to ask me my favourite comedies, it nevertheless often has me laughing out loud.

The series finale followed the established Not Going Out formula, where episodes play out like extended stand-up routines, and characters exchange punchlines rather than dialogue. Bobby Ball returned as Lee’s father, offering Lee the chance to woo landlady Lucy (Sally Bretton) in the romantic surroundings of his new boat. Naturally, Lucy turns out to have a fear of water, the boat turns out to be an un-seaworthy wreck, and soon enough they are adrift at sea with the hapless Daisy (Katy Wix) sabotaging any hope of return to dry land. The standard hijinks, banter and innuendo ensue; Not Going Out may be none too subtle and several steps removed from reality, but it gets all the bigger laughs for its unashamed reliance on quick fire one-liners.

The series has suffered this year from the loss of Tim Vine, which has resulted in his girlfriend Daisy being given greater prominence in the village idiot role. Her simpleness has proved a difficult tool to master – her misunderstandings can easily and hilariously escalate the many absurd predicaments the characters find themselves in, but used too often she can become wearisome. The sitcom is set to return for another series, where hopefully she can settle into her more central role, and with any luck the development of Lee and Lucy’s will they/won’t they relationship, left unresolved in the finale despite many hints to the contrary, can accelerate.

Its style may not be for everyone, but for mainstream BBC One fare Not Going Out is extremely good at what it does, and when on form the calamitous life of Lee can be hysterical. Though not every episode entirely hits the mark, occasionally a tightly scripted and quick witted gem will come along that demonstrates why the sitcom has continued to thrive. At six series old it still has life in it, unlike many other comedies that struggle on this far, and there are worse things to watch on a Friday night – although a high tolerance for jokes about the North is recommended.