Not Going Out

How to keep a sitcom fresh? Having morphed Not Going Out from farce to family comedy, Lee Mack now attempts the risky undertaking of a live episode, which finds Lee and Lucy organising a Christmas show to raise cash for their children's school. What could possibly go wrong?

Not Going Out Live review

There's the odd pun which is a bit embarrassing (like one about a contortionist which is particularly bad) but overall it's a fun enough diversion, an entertaining bit of silliness that hasn't persuaded me to watch the series again on a regular basis but if they do another live episode I'll certainly tune in.

Lucy finds out that the lollipop man has, aptly, been giving the kids lollipops every day. This prompts her to send the family on an enforced health kick, much to Lee's disdain. Lee wrestles hilariously with guilt when he is tasked with asking the elderly and lonely lollipop man to stop handing out treats.

A dinner party invite from Anna and Toby threatens to ruin Lucy and Lee's evening slumped in front of Norwegian noir on Netflix. Efforts to avoid an awkward evening culminate in a manufactured row but, unluckily for Lee and Lucy, their friends have shared experience as career quarrellers.

Not Going Out: Out and out winner where jokes stay in

Confirmation, if it were needed, that laugh-out-loud BBC comedy Not Going Out (BBC One, Thursday) is now fully at home in suburbia, and thriving with it.

Lee Mack interview

"Everyone told me British sitcom was dead". The writer and star also opens up about the time he almost walked away from the BBC comedy - and why he writes in a shed.

Lee Mack complains about alcohol adverts

Lee Mack nearly pulled the plug on sitcom Not Going Out in a row about his work "being used to sell booze".

In early 2017, Lee Mack's grumpy but gag-packed sitcom fast-forwarded into Outnumbered territory with Lee and Lucy (Sally Bretton) abruptly becoming parents to three young children. The addition of rosy-cheeked sprogs is a good fit for this special episode as the couple's warring in-laws compete for grandkid affection with gifts so lavish they threaten to outshine Santa. The late Keith Barron guest stars as a prickly toy shop employee.