British Comedy Guide
Never Better. Image shows from L to R: Keith Merchant (Stephen Mangan), Anita Merchant (Kate Ashfield). Copyright: World Productions
Never Better

Never Better

  • TV sitcom
  • BBC Two
  • 2008
  • 6 episodes (1 series)

A dark comedy from the writer of Party Animals about a recovering alcoholic and his troubles with society. Stars Stephen Mangan, Kate Ashfield, Christopher Fairbank, Tom Goodman-Hill, Michele Austin and more.

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Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 2 - Life and Soul

One of the biggest challenges Keith faces in his new life with no alcohol is socialising without a drink. So his friend Richard suggests sending some smutty text messages to remind himself he's still "one of the lads". Unfortunately, Keith accidentally sends an obscene comment intended for Anita to the one person at his AA meetings that he is trying to befriend.

Further details

At Tom's football match Keith cannot help but compare himself to the other fathers. Feeling inadequate, he embarks on a new quest to recover his masculinity.

Anita and Keith are trying to have a nice, civil, drink-free meal with their friends, Drew and Rachel. Whilst being distracted by his nose hair, Keith misses most of the evening and, upon his return, he is annoyed that Anita has lent Rachel their iron.

At the AA group, meanwhile, Keith identifies with fellow member Janice on how hard it is to socialise without alcohol. Keith feels he can communicate with her and asks for her number, but is put out when she doesn't ask for his number in return.

Richard and Keith are messing around with Richard's new phone in the coffee shop and, to help recover their youthful, laddish, drunken behaviour, they decide to send each other obscene text messages. What will happen, however, when Keith sends an x-rated text to every number listed in his phone?

Back at the AA group, Janice is disturbed when she receives a dirty text from an unknown number - can Keith persuade her not to go to the police?

Elsewhere, Anita is annoyed that Keith had sent Rachel the text. He decides to come clean to Richard, but will this be the end of another friendship and will Keith get his iron back?

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 17th January 2008
Time
10pm
Channel
BBC Two
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Stephen Mangan Keith Merchant
Kate Ashfield Anita Merchant
Christopher Fairbank Doug
Tom Goodman-Hill Richard
Michele Austin (as Michelle Austin) Linda
Mya O'Connor Poppy Merchant
Charlie George Tom Merchant
Guest cast
Joanna David Janice
Stephanie Street Rachel
David Armand Drew
Writing team
Fintan Ryan Writer
Production team
Martin Dennis Director
Helen Gregory Producer
Simon Wilson Executive Producer
Letitia Knight Line Producer
Marco Van Welzen Editor
Patrick Bill Production Designer
Di Carling Casting Director
Caroline Pitcher Costume Designer
Andy Hollis Director of Photography
Nichola Bellamy Make-up Designer
Willie Dowling Composer
Adam Byfield 1st Assistant Director

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