Not Going Out

The set-up for tonight's series opener is sound, sending Lee into a perfect storm of personal and professional jealousy when Tim's new pub rock outfit wins a battle of the bands contest and Lucy falls for the smug guitarist. Such is the onslaught of funnies in Not Going Out (targets range from Tango ads to Samantha Janus) that, as derivative as it is, a decent hit-rate is more-or-less guaranteed, and the climactic, bromantic take on I Know Him So Well is a triumph.

It's the new series of Lee Mack's pun-tastic, guilty pleasure sitcom. And there are a few improvements: Lucy, the put-upon landlady who is forever the apple of Lee's eye, has had her edges softened; and Katy Wix is given better material to work with as Tim Vine's dappy girlfriend. To kick off, Vine looks endearingly ridiculous as he decides to join a band.

Not Going Out - Series 5, Episode 1 review

I genuinely can't think of a current British sitcom that's proven so consistently strong for so long. Long may it continue.

Not Going Out - Series 5, Episode 1 review

Tonight's episode does have its fair share of laughs, even if, at times, they're overshadowed by some truly terrible one-liners.

Lee Mack Q&A: I can't do naturalistic comedy

Digital Spy caught up with the quick-witted Lee Mack to chat about Not Going Out's return, how it has evolved, and his passion for studio-based sitcoms...

Lee Mack: 'I'm not a repressed West End star!'

As Not Going Out returns to BBC1 on Friday for a fifth series, Lee Mack talks about singing the theme tune to Minder and writing in his pyjamas...

Lee Mack interview

As Lee Mack returns for the fifth series of his sitcom Not Going Out, layabout Lee is still lusting after his landlady Lucy...

Lee Mack 'winces at early Not Going Out'

Lee Mack has admitted that he struggles to watch early episodes of his sitcom Not Going Out.

Not Going Out - BBC1, 9.30pm

The last episode in the current series finds Lee Mack inventing a whole new genre: the sitcoma.