I hope they get Tim Vine back for the first episode of series 6 so they can write him out properly without one of those awkward exposition speeches to explain his absence. I think it will survive. OFAH got better and better after losing a very strong character (Granddad). But I do hope they leave it open for him to return.
Quote: Clint75 @ May 31 2012, 7:30 PM BSTIf one of Lee's old school friends came on the scene needing a place to stay, and offered to pay Lucy rent which meant Lee was relegated to sleeping on the sofa, and then Lee's mate was also making a play for Lucy's affections, that would add the tension back into the "will they or won't they" question as well as providing great opportunities for comedy as Lee and his friend try to get one over on each other to impress Lucy.
I think this is a great idea. It will turn Tim's departure to their advantage.
And after a series or so of Lee and this guy's one-up-manship and snide bickering (Never the Twain-style) the next series could have this guy proposing to Lucy, and Lee has to do something to stop their wedding from happening. It could turn into a bit of a serial - like Watching was in its fifth series - and shake-up the series a bit, a departure from the usual standalone episode thing. It could only make ratings soar, as viewers will have to come back each week, and it would culminate when episode 6 of that series has a climax where Lee tells Lucy he loves her.
That sort of series-planning - like what happens in Doctor Who, for example - should be brought to sitcom, I think. And it could only work if Tim leaves, as Lee would never have an ally with a brother who doesn't want someone sabotaging his sister's wedding.
It would be audacious. Audiences used to the story-arcs of soaps would respond to a similarly twisty arc here.
But something tells me they're not brave enough to do it.
Having recently watched the whole of Series 5, I wouldn't be surprised if part of Tim Vine's decision to leave is the fact that the show's writing seems to be about ticking off one 'controversial' topic after another:- porn, masturbation, prostitution, drugs, lesbianism etc. Andrew Collins has commented in the past about having little interest in writing about this kind of stuff and as Tim is a very straight-laced Christian it wouldn't be a shock if he wasn't happy about some of the storylines in the show.
Quote: Nick @ June 3 2012, 3:01 PM BSTHaving recently watched the whole of Series 5, I wouldn't be surprised if part of Tim Vine's decision to leave is the fact that the show's writing seems to be about ticking off one 'controversial' topic after another:- porn, masturbation, prostitution, drugs, lesbianism etc. Andrew Collins has commented in the past about having little interest in writing about this kind of stuff and as Tim is a very straight-laced Christian it wouldn't be a shock if he wasn't happy about some of the storylines in the show.
My thoughts exactly.
Quote: Dave @ June 3 2012, 1:25 PM BSTThat sort of series-planning - like what happens in Doctor Who, for example - should be brought to sitcom, I think. And it could only work if Tim leaves, as Lee would never have an ally with a brother who doesn't want someone sabotaging his sister's wedding.
Not Going Out is almost unique amongst contemporary sitcoms in NOT having a story arc.
They've already done the Lee vs some man Lucy's dating numerous times. I'd be ready for something different.
Not Going Out is not a soap opera. Eww. 
Quote: Lassoon @ June 4 2012, 1:40 AM BSTNot Going Out is not a soap opera. Eww.
I never said it was, I meant it could utilize a story arc, and garner a response from audiences who are used to that sort of thing, as they watch soaps (which, to my mind, are generally awful).
I definitely hope they introduce a character who differs from Tim, rather than repeating the old formula.
What would be great, although perhaps a bit unoriginal after How Not to Live Your Life, is if the moment comes where Lucy and Lee are finally about to get together - and Megan Dodds returns! (I don't mean as a regular, though.)
I wondered about that too, i.e what would happen if for some reason Kate moved back into the flat and relegated Lee to the sofa?
He'd be trapped with the dilemma of which girl he really wanted. But I don't think it would be as good an avenue for comedy as having someone else vie with Lee for Lucy's affections.
Was there enough set-up of romantic tension between Lee and Kate in Series 1 for it to work?
I know that the plot isn't really that importnat in Not Going Out but why, after 5 series, has Lee not had a girlfriend in all that time considering how sex-obsessed most of his gags are?
Quote: Basil Rathbon @ June 11 2012, 2:17 PM BSTI know that the plot isn't really that importnat in Not Going Out but why, after 5 series, has Lee not had a girlfriend in all that time considering how sex-obsessed most of his gags are?
I think he has been on a few dates. However, I believe the point is meant to be that he is 'sex-obsessed' but not getting any. Plus, it just emphasises that the only real object of his affections is Lucy.
Quote: Aaron @ May 31 2012, 2:51 AM BSTThey're not tax dodgers, and in fact probably pay more than Amazon do. They're just a little slower to despatch new releases sometimes.
Just caught up with the final episode and absolutely loved it. By far and away the single best episode of any new sitcom that I have seen in a very, very long time. Laughs from start to finish, great gags, and an excellent storyline in a very traditional vein of sitcom storytelling. I really can't praise it highly enough.
Only flaw is, as has been noted, the re-casting of Tim and Lucy's father still grates on me. I guess Timothy West was just too busy and expensive to use beyond what they presumably assumed would be a one-off guest appearance.
Sorry, I've been off the internet (well off my laptop, I'm not sure you can be "off the internet" anymore) for a few weeks. Just to confirm, although it doesn't matter much, that I was calling amazon the tax dodgers, I have no reason to doubt the tax returns of play.com
The recasting of the father annoys me too.
Ah! Well yes, Amazon are a bit shady there - but then that's how they keep low prices.
