A couple of very general questions about the show, which I'm now watching on the new Series 1-5 box set:
I'm wondering why it's called Not Going Out. Is it because Lee and Lucy are 'not going out' together i.e. dating?
Also, how come we don't know Lee's surname?
Quote: Dave @ June 15 2012, 12:32 PM BSTI'm wondering why it's called Not Going Out. Is it because Lee and Lucy are 'not going out' together i.e. dating?
Yes, I believe so. That and Tim and Kate weren't going out. And perhaps because it's mostly flat-bound.
Quote: Dave @ June 15 2012, 12:32 PM BSTAlso, how come we don't know Lee's surname?
Is it relevant?
Quote: Aaron @ June 15 2012, 3:35 PM BSTIs it relevant?
Not greatly, but it helps differentiate sitcom Lee from WILTY Lee.
Pretend he's called Duckworth or something. Nice and northern.
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.
I think I would be surprised if this is the case; I am both a Christian*, and I confess most people would probably describe me as fairly straight-laced, and I love Not Going Out, and don't have a problem with the story-lines or topics.
For example, Lee and Tim weren't actually trying to use prostitutes - it was all a misunderstanding, nor were they actively seeking to use drugs, etc. etc. I would have had a problem if using drugs/visiting prostitutes was seen in some way to be admirable.
In terms of storylines, I have always been more uncomfortable with various popular American sitcoms (Friends, The Big Bang Theory etc.) and the sheer amount of extremely casual sex/one night stands they all seem to have.
*Not frankly that this will have much to do with it - Frank Skinner is, after all, Catholic, and most of his material is not exactly family friendly. Not all Christians are Mary Whitehouse, after all!
Quote: ACUSmember @ June 17 2012, 12:08 PM BSTI think I would be surprised if this is the case; I am both a Christian*, and I confess most people would probably describe me as fairly straight-laced, and I love Not Going Out, and don't have a problem with the story-lines or topics.
I'm a Christian as well, and like you love Not Going Out - although there are a couple of references here and there I would have trimmed out (Barbara and Lee both having said the F word once - I mean, this is Not Going Out, not The Thick of It), and I was surprised that Bobby Ball, himself a Christian, allowed his character to make some pretty iffy references in the "Absent Father Christmas" and "Life On Mars Bars" episodes. But I guess it's a pay cheque.
I think the suddenness of Barbara and Lee's use of the "F" word added to the comedy. Even my Dad, who doesn't swear, laughs every time Lee's dad turns up at the flat and Lee tells him, in no uncertain terms, to go away.
Quote: ACUSmember @ June 17 2012, 12:08 PM BSTI think I would be surprised if this is the case; I am both a Christian*, and I confess most people would probably describe me as fairly straight-laced, and I love Not Going Out, and don't have a problem with the story-lines or topics.
For example, Lee and Tim weren't actually trying to use prostitutes - it was all a misunderstanding, nor were they actively seeking to use drugs, etc. etc. I would have had a problem if using drugs/visiting prostitutes was seen in some way to be admirable.
In terms of storylines, I have always been more uncomfortable with various popular American sitcoms (Friends, The Big Bang Theory etc.) and the sheer amount of extremely casual sex/one night stands they all seem to have.
*Not frankly that this will have much to do with it - Frank Skinner is, after all, Catholic, and most of his material is not exactly family friendly. Not all Christians are Mary Whitehouse, after all!
Indeed not all Christians are Mary Whitehouse but Tim has said himself that he doesn't like swearing and doesn't want to swear on screen (or in his live shows). His comedy must be about the cleanest around so it certainly is possible that some of the stuff in Not Going Out isn't to his taste.
In some ways Lee did have another best friend and I suggest they bring that person back as his best friend/ rival for Lucy. Kate, Lee's true soul mate. What a woman!
Tim was on the radio this morning confirming he just felt he'd done enough in the show and wanted to go on to other things.
If Tim Vine genuinely had a problem with those type of storylines or jokes he'd have left ages ago. I think he'd probably just got bored of it.
Quote: Jonny M @ August 16 2012, 7:22 PM BSTIf Tim Vine genuinely had a problem with those type of storylines or jokes he'd have left ages ago. I think he'd probably just got bored of it.
As I mentioned above he actually said as much in a radio interview.
When I picture the next series, I picture Sean Lock with Lee. I think that would be good. Imagine Sean Lock being an inexplicable, effortless babe magnet and Lucy fancies him. Lee would be fuming after trying for so long! He would have to swallow his pride and ask Sean for advice etc.
According to a Lee Mack fansite on Twitter, the next series is 8 episodes rather than 6 (http://twitter.com/LeeMackfirst/status/238229000147832832) - I can't find their source so was wondering if anyone could confirm this?
Four dates of read-throughs were released; normally two episodes are read at a time, so I assume they've jumped to the 8 count from that. I'll try to check, but I wouldn't be so certain as they seem to be.
