I have to agree that there's just something not right about this show. It's like one long Morecambe and Wise sketch, with the blonde girl playing the part of the celebrity guest. Lee Mack's arguably the funniest, most consistently good stand up this country has got, but I don't think this sitcom will ever end up in anyone's all time Top Ten.
Quote: Martin Holmes @ February 23 2009, 11:21 PM GMTI've heard plans for Series 4 have been put on hold due to ratings decreasing?
Any truth to this?
It is possible, but I expect that decisions either way would not take place until the end of the series and the viewing (and iPlayering, and DVD buying) figures are totalled.
Quote: JohnnyD @ February 23 2009, 9:20 AM GMTThe big problem with this show is the complete absence of any heart.
I agree with this. There's funny lines and zippy plots but I just can't warm to it. It leaves me cold.
Am I the only person who thinks this show actually does have a lot of heart? (the answer is yes, isn't it?!)
I think that the gag rate may detract away from any emotional connection and I am not going to pretend that the main strength of NGO isn't the witty one-liners. However, a big effort is made with the Lee/Lucy relationship, which I know to some think came across a bit creepy this last week, but it may be the case that they're building it up gradually. There is certainly the odd moment where they drop the jokes to show Lee's vulnerability, such as in the Dating episode from Series 2. Also, the chemistry between Lee and Tim is a major part of the show. I think them two as best mates gives the show a lot of heart. Also, Daisy and Tim are quite sweet too.
But even if you exclude all that, it's just funny and that's all that matters to me. I think it is a pity it doesn't do better in the ratings. I'm sure a good 15 years ago it may have got a bigger audience.
Quote: Aaron @ February 24 2009, 10:40 AM GMTIt is possible, but I expect that decisions either way would not take place until the end of the series and the viewing (and iPlayering, and DVD buying) figures are totalled.
I hope it it isn't cancelled. But I've heard that all casting and preproduction for series four has been put on hold.
Not Going Out is a consistently funny show but also a show still finding its feet and it should be given time to grow and find its balance between humour and heart. It clearly wants to have that heart put in to it, with the Lee/Lucy relationship but I still think it needs work in that department.
To be cancelled now would be a shame. When you have a mainstream sitcom like Not Going Out you need to give it time to really settle in. Only Fools And Horses was good to begin with and became great over time. Seinfeld was good but wasn't until Season 4 were it became great. Not Going Out has the potential to become a great show and I hope the Beeb realise that.
Quote: Martin Holmes @ February 24 2009, 12:55 PM GMTI hope it it isn't cancelled. But I've heard that all casting and preproduction for series four has been put on hold.
God I despair! At 3.2 million it's a nice late night niche filler. What else is going to return higher figures of a late evening? Not much I'll wager. So it's not being picked up for a fourth series; pray tell what the BBC have up their sleeves for that time slot that will return viewing figures greater than NGOut's 3.2 million?
All last year they paid an £18 million salary to a man whose show on Friday nights only produced average viewing figures of 3.5 million.
(Ironically the figures for Jonathan Ross's Friday night show this year, have gone UP since his return from Sachsgate suspension.)
The sheer intellect involved in producing side-splittingly funny, razor sharp, quick-fire repartee, deserves its place in the schedules. If NGOut is allowed to wither, we'll all be the poorer for it.
Around the 3 million mark seems to be the average for the last two series.
Quote: Lindyloop @ February 24 2009, 11:20 AM GMTAm I the only person who thinks this show actually does have a lot of heart? (the answer is yes, isn't it?!
No, the answer isn't yes! I do too!!!!
I bloody love Not Going Out. I don't care if Lee is starting to border on pervy (which personally I don't think he is!) or if the other characters are just there to bounce gags off (which isn't true...well maybe in some cases but hell, that's funny isn't it???) it is a bloody good sitcom.
Lee is incredible and I love him! 
Tim is fantastic and I love him too! 
Barbara is amazin and I love her. 
Lucy is loads better in this series...but I still prefer Kate. 
Daisy fits in really well within the show and has been a part of some of the funniest gags..."of course I don't remember, I have amnesia" 
I love it. 3 million other people in Britain love it. So for goodness sake commision a fourth series!!!!! 
Ok, rant over
Quote: Lindyloop @ February 24 2009, 11:20 AM GMTAm I the only person who thinks this show actually does have a lot of heart? (the answer is yes, isn't it?!)
No and no!
Quote: Mrs Mack @ February 24 2009, 9:15 PM GMTNo, the answer isn't yes! I do too!!!!
Quote: Aaron @ February 24 2009, 9:19 PM GMTNo and no!
Glad I'm not alone!
I would be gutted if there wasn't another series. Could the way the BBC advertise/publicise it have something to do with the fairly low ratings? I've very rarely seen a trailer for the show, the title is hardly attention grabbing, and most of the people I know have never even heard of it. How can that be?
We had some friends over just after Christmas, and we had a 36-hour power cut. In the evening we got out a battery-run DVD player and watched a couple of episodes of Outnumbered and then a Christmas episode of Not Going Out. Our friends - who watch a lot of TV - had never watched the programme and confessed they'd heard the name but didn't know what it was. They laughed all the way through, absolutely loved it and are now watching the new series.
I don't know what's on the other channels at the same time (there's 'nothing' that would stop me from watching NGO anyway), but isn't Al Murray's new show on at the same time this Friday? 
I think the show would benefit from a slightly earlier timeslot (8 - 8.30pm) but some of the subject matters, innuendo (and in this series, language) unfortunately prevent this.
It's simple: it's on on the wrong day.
As I've said before on Fridays a high proportion the people it is targeting 18-30somethings are out getting pissed.
Put it on on a Wednesday. Much higher figures (maybe).
Quote: Danny K @ February 24 2009, 1:30 PM GMTThe sheer intellect involved in producing side-splittingly funny, razor sharp, quick-fire repartee, deserves its place in the schedules. If NGOut is allowed to wither, we'll all be the poorer for it.
Let's not get silly. It's an okay show with some decent sitcom style plots and good one liners. It's also hampered by a star who is completely lacking in any kind of charm. If it doesn't get a fourth series it won't exactly be one of the world's great tragedies. Get some perspective.
Quote: Rustle T Davis @ February 25 2009, 9:04 AM GMT...isn't Al Murray's new show on at the same time this Friday?
Yup, indeed it is. I'll be recording Not Going Out to savour later.
Quote: bigfella @ February 25 2009, 10:50 AM GMTIt's simple: it's on on the wrong day.
As I've said before on Fridays a high proportion the people it is targeting 18-30somethings are out getting pissed.
Put it on on a Wednesday. Much higher figures (maybe).
Wednesday's not a traditional comedy night though. I'd love to see Not Going Out stay on Fridays, but fear that the kind of audience who are most likely to be drawn to it are, as you say, those that will be out at that time. At very least, the Tuesday evening repeat could get some more publicity.
Quote: chipolata @ February 25 2009, 11:04 AM GMTLet's not get silly. It's an okay show with some decent sitcom style plots and good one liners. It's also hampered by a star who is completely lacking in any kind of charm. If it doesn't get a fourth series it won't exactly be one of the world's great tragedies. Get some perspective.
You just hate him because he's northern!
Seriously though, I'm pretty sure that 90% of the posters in this thread disagree with you, on almost every point there. Lee does have charm, it's a great show, and has lots of potential which hasn't yet been realised. Far more than a number of other recent sitcoms which have received huge outcries at the notion of their finishing.
It works for some people, that's fine. I'm not a begrudger. Lee Mack though - he really is completely and utterly devoid of any kind of charm or charisma.
