Not Going Out

There's one big negative: it's got a laughter track. Spaced didn't neeed canned chuckles; The Boosh don't use them; Nathan Barley didn't come equipped with fake guffaws. It's an out-dated device that undermines a programme's writing and is best left to the stuff featuring Jasper Carrott. Because, granted, there are some canny one-liners amid the corny drivel, but when something's billed as a comedy, surely it shouldn't be too surprising that some moments are funny. Lee Mack is an ace stand-up but his moves into television have been mainstream meh. The Sketch Show, anyone? Mack should stop Not Going Out and get back on stage where he excels.

Editor Note: This critic seems to have fallen into the trap of not realising that NGO is filmed in front of a live audience

Normally, one-liners are best left in the realms of Christmas crackers. But Lee Mack and Tim Vine are two of the best in the business at dreaming them up and machine-gunning them out, which makes this sitcom such a fun maelstrom of ridiculousness, and one that trumpets its own cheesiness. And no, Mack can't really act - but as the loose-moralled lead who'll do anything to get the girl, he strikes the perfect balance of loathsomeness and lovability.