Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 9/10

Cast: Lee Mack, Sally Breton, Hugh Dennis, Abigail Cruttenden, Deborah Grant, Geoffrey Whitehead, Richard Syms, Francesca Newman, Max Pattison, Finlay Southby, David Hargreaves, Delroy Atkinson, Angela McHale, Ketorah Williams.

To get a British comedy series to a hundred episodes is no mean feat, it is rare, it takes perseverance, and a following that almost pleads with the makers to continue the story line of a much-loved character and those who are family, friends, and the recipients of the farce that often ensues.

The public can be fickle, sometimes misguided, but in modern terms to witness the tremendously funny Not Going Out attain a status which has been otherwise occupied by ‘safe’ comedies such as Last Of The Summer Wine, the animated adventures of Mr. Bean, The Army Game, and weirdly the children’s series of Chucklevision, is nothing short of an appreciation of the talent behind the writing, and the close knit cast which complete and compliment each other with absolute conviction.

Promising a Christmas which does not descend into the realms of failure, Lee’s good intentions are immediately shot to pieces by the near homage to the great comedy Weekend At Bernie’s as the old man they have taken in for the day leaves a trail of mishaps, misunderstandings, and mirth in his wake; and poor old Lee is left to rummage through the ensuing disaster in his own impressive and fraught way.

Not Going Out might not see another series, and that would be a hard loss to those who view the entertaining value of the comedy, and in the wake of another fine British television masterpiece that is Ghosts announcing that its to finish with its own Christmas special this year, perhaps it should be noted by executives and programmes makers, that there is room for absolute class comedy to continue.

A wonderful occasion, one of the best comedies of the last decade, full of farce and laughter; it is with massive congratulations voiced that Lee Mack and Sally Breton, along with the ensemble cast deserve plaudits and applause.

Ian D. Hall