Not Going Out, 2006 – Present
In Tribute To Jeff Newton, 1971 – 2020
This post is presented today as a tribute to the man who’s idea it was to bring this blog to life and was responsible for it’s design. Jeff sadly lost his battle with cancer yesterday. This was one of his favourite sitcoms.
One of the better more recent sitcoms that have popped up across various channels since 2000, this one from the BBC.
Not Going Out has to date ran for ten series and is still running, making it one of the longest running British sitcoms.
Originally headed by two of the country’s most popular stand up comedians: Lee Mack and Tim Vine, Not Going out reached five series before Tim Vine quit at the end of series five to concentrate on his live work.
In the original pilot episode, which has not been aired, the part of Kate was played by Catherine Tate. However, due to the success of The Catherine Tate Show, her character was re-written for the American actress Megan Dodds
The show was a success with audiences from the very first series, yet in 2009 the BBC decided to cancel it. A decision that was quickly reversed in December of the same year, as a result of strong DVD sales and an online petition.
In 2019, writer Lee Mack revealed that the BBC had ordered three more series of the sitcom.
Summary
Lee, unambitious and unmotivated, goes from one job to another, living off the good graces of his landlady Kate, with whom he shares a flat in London. It is not long before they find that their friendship is changing into something more.
The situation is somewhat complicated by the fact that Lee’s best friend Tim, is Kate’s ex-boyfriend (they broke up when he left her for a fling with 23-year-old Emma) and he wants to repair their relationship.
Lee finds himself torn between pursuing his growing feelings for Kate and remaining loyal to his increasingly paranoid friend.
Clips
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Cast
Lee Mack
Tim Vine (series 1-5)
Sally Bretton
Katy Wix
Timothy West
Deborah Grant
Miranda Hart (series 1-3)
Simon Dutton
Megan Dodds (series 1 & 2)
Details
Created By: Lee Mack
Produced By: Avalon Television for BBC
Channel: BBC1
Original Run: 6th October 2006 – present