Is the New Season of Not Going Out a Refreshing Hit or a Miss?

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Not many series have undergone as numerous transformations as Not Going Out, given that not many have been on the air for such a lengthy period.

Known for being the final stronghold of British comedies produced in studios, the series celebrated its 100th episode during its 2023 Christmas special. Originally, it centered around the tale of a messy man-child who had feelings for his landlady.

Initially, the landlady wasn’t Sally Bretton’s character, Lucy. Instead, in the early seasons, it was Megan Dodds who played the role of Kate. It wasn’t until season 2 that Bretton entered the scene, taking on a character with a similar role but distinct from Dodds’ character.

Throughout its run, various actors joined and left the show – noteworthy players like Tim Vine, Miranda Hart, and Katy Wix appeared during the initial seasons, but their characters seemed to fade into obscurity within the series, as it rarely acknowledges its past.

2014 marked a significant shift as Lee and Lucy ultimately became a couple and later tied the knot. This event opened up possibilities for Season 8, set in the future, where they are proud parents of three kids.

Now, following six seasons portraying a family sitcom, “Not Going Out” has decided to shake things up yet another time, doing so in a manner reminiscent of dramatic change.

In the upcoming episodes, Lee and Lucy appear to have aged gracefully, since we fast-forward into a time when their children have left for college, prompting them to relocate to a new home, which they’ve decided will be their permanent residence.

In the latest episodes, it seems that the side characters – the children – are absent, neither Lee nor Lucy seem to have their usual friends, Toby (Hugh Dennis) and Anna (Abigail Cruttenden), visit, and we don’t get any mentions or see Lucy’s parents (Geoffrey Whitehead and Deborah Grant) at all.

For the upcoming season, there’s been an adjustment to the format – each episode now unfolds in real-time. While earlier episodes occasionally delved into real-time storytelling on occasion, this season promises that every installment will provide a real-time glimpse into the lives of Lee and Lucy, making the narratives more straightforward.

The query here is – Does everything truly function as intended? Or perhaps, the show could have ended after season 100, concluding triumphantly with a significant episode (and an exceptionally powerful finale, titled Wilfred)?

I’m thrilled to share that, for the most part, the modifications have been successful! In simplifying things as much as Mack and his writing partner Daniel Peak have, they’ve ensured the longevity of this project, if they choose to continue. They’ve not only kept the studio sitcom genre alive but breathed new life into it too.

Despite being significantly different from previous examples, Lee and Lucy’s parenting years proved remarkably effective, yet their methods seemed somewhat outdated or old-fashioned.

Instead of shows such as The Simpsons that can maintain a perpetual childhood through animation, Not Going Out was required to progress because its child actors grew older over time.

The show, during its run, seemed to prioritize parenting over the children, not being particularly focused on the kids themselves. In instances where they were present, their role was often minimal compared to discussions between Lee and Lucy about them.

Simplifying things might appear to be an extreme solution for a small issue, yet, in numerous aspects, it’s a refreshing change.

The series doesn’t take these changes casually. It isn’t merely shifting events for convenience due to aging child actors, but instead, it appears to be a show that embraces the journey of growing older, reminiscence, and nostalgia, as reflected in several episodes.

In these three episodes – House Move, Campervan, and Oasis – it becomes especially evident, with the first one, House Move, arguably being the most compelling connection in the new season.

In the last episode titled “Hotel Room,” the show truly shines. “Not Going Out” excels in its humor, particularly when it delves into the genre of “comedy of errors.” This involves a series of absurd lies and maneuvers that characters concoct to extricate themselves from awkward situations.

1. Quick wit and humor are what makes this show unique, especially Mack’s specialty, yet it’s the physical humor and the ability to intensify it for a live crowd that truly elevates studio comedy.

Or, in another way:

2. The fast-paced jokes and Mack’s talent for them are what make this show stand out, but it’s often the physical humor and the chance to amplify it for a live audience that makes studio comedy so enjoyable.

This year, there’s been a minor adjustment to the episode structure that hasn’t quite hit the mark. However, this doesn’t detract from the overall strength of these episodes or diminish the season as a whole. In fact, it introduces an element of immersion that was missing in some earlier instalments.

While the structured format is an engaging exercise and helps maintain focus, it may give the impression that the stories are too similar. Mack and Peak should remember not to let this strict structure limit their creativity in future endeavors.

To keep things fresh in a series like this, it’s crucial to maintain versatility. Given Not Going Out’s knack for enduring through time and adapting as required, the creative crew ought to have the liberty to explore new ideas, and mix up episode styles to preserve that versatility.

In this scenario, the idea that the reduction in the cast is validated also applies. It wasn’t particularly doubtful that the storyline would work well with Lee and Lucy as recurring characters, but the fact that it effectively carries out this task across six consecutive episodes is certainly a good sign.

It’s desirable that the authors consider introducing some of the secondary characters again when it fits well and makes sense, perhaps even dedicating entire episodes to them individually.

Instead of requiring weekly appearances, dropping by every now and then, perhaps Geoffrey and Wendy, or even past characters like Tim or Daisy, would be beneficial. This would showcase the comedic abilities of the cast and their well-known characters, without committing them to a whole season’s worth of television.

To be straightforward, these issues we’re discussing are more about anticipating what’s to come instead of critiquing this current set of episodes. The feel of this season is a delightful mix of familiar elements from the beloved series combined with a hint of novelty, offering something fresh yet comfortingly familiar.

This phase clearly demonstrates that such changes don’t necessarily need to last that long.

Streamlining the main characters to just Lee and Lucy, the creators have opened up an opportunity for more creativity, exploration, and innovation in the series “Not Going Out”. They are no longer bound by specific story types, allowing them to continue pushing boundaries and delivering surprises that challenge audience expectations.

After nearly two decades on air, the series has demonstrated that it still possesses a wealth of vitality, maintaining its charm as a classic sitcom set within a studio environment.

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2025-06-18 14:04