The multi award-winning hit sitcom returns to BBC One but with a few big (or small) additions, not to mention a new ‘sit’ for the ‘com’. After 10 years, Not Going Out is now the longest running BBC sitcom on air, and writer and star Lee Mack returns with a new take on family life and major new additions to the chaotic world of Lee and Lucy.
Viewers last saw Lee (Lee Mack) and Lucy (Sally Bretton) as a newlywed couple just having their first baby. Fast-forward seven years and baby Charlie now has five year old twin siblings, Benji and Molly. How has layabout Lee survived these dramatic life-changes? How do the not-so-new parents find the joy/relentless onslaught of bringing up kids? If this wasn’t enough for them to contend with, combine it with negotiating some tricky family members in the form of lovably feckless father, Frank (Bobby Ball), always on hand with the terrifying offer of childcare, and close friends including the world-weary, or more specifically wife-weary, Toby (Hugh Dennis) and uptight ice-queen Anna (Abigail Cruttenden). At least Lucy’s more dependable parents are on hand, but what exactly do Geoffrey (Geoffrey Whitehead) and Wendy (Deborah Grant) make of Lee and Lucy’s often mad house?
What could possibly go wrong with: Lee doing his best to get the ‘romance’ back on track; Frank finally getting his wish to babysit the kids; Lucy and Lee loading up the car for a family holiday to France; Lee devising a ‘brilliant’ master-plan involving Emma Bunton and a hot tub; one of the kids, very worryingly, starting to take after one of their parents (clue, it isn’t Lucy); marriage guidance making its way onto the couple’s agenda; and a decision to be made whether three kids really are enough.
Lee Mack has established himself as one of the UK’s most recognisable and celebrated comics. A busy year has also seen Lee return as resident team captain on the tenth series of Would I Lie To You? (BBC ONE), host the fifth series of Duck Quacks Don’t Echo (Sky One), while early 2017 will see a London West End debut alongside Griff Rhys Jones in the The Miser.
ends
Not Going Out Series 8 starts in week two
For more information, please contact: Dan Lloyd or Lucy Plosker on 020 7598 7222 or danl@avalonuk.com or lucyp@avalonuk.com
WHAT THE PRESS HAVE SAID ABOUT NOT GOING OUT
“Not Going Out doesn’t deviate from its standard, winning formula. And why should it? What it does, it does brilliantly… this is made special by Lee Mack, probably the best gag-man on television, and a proper comedian who is funny to his bone marrow.”
Alison Graham, Radio Times
“No-one could ever fault this excellent series’ ability to deliver gags the way that Roger Federer serves up aces”
Jane Simon, Daily Mirror
“This seventh series of Not Going Out has been arguably the best.” ★★★★★
Sally Brockway, TV Times
“Stay in and watch it”
The Sunday Times, Culture
“This is one of the most gag-rich comedies on the box and…the quality of the writing has not waned a jot.”
David Stephenson, Sunday Express
“The main reason to watch Not Going Out has always been because of its absolutely ingenious one-liners, puns and double entendres…Not Going Out remains a rare thing – a brightly lit British studio sitcom that is actually worth staying in for.”
Sharon Lougher, Metro
“Not Going Out is chock full of gags.”
Boyd Hilton, Heat
SERIES 8 EPISODE SYNOPSIS
Episode 1 – ROMANCE
After seven years of marriage Lee and Lucy disagree about the best way to keep the romance alive.
Episode 2 – BABYSITTING
Reluctantly Lucy allows Lee’s father, Frank, to babysit and then wishes she hadn’t.
Episode 3 – CAR
The family set off in the car to catch a ferry with plenty of time to spare… or so they think.
Episode 4 – HOT TUB
Lee and Lucy play Hot Tub Fantasy Date with Anna and Toby, and end up in hot water.
Episode 5 – CHARLIE
Lee is worried that Charlie is getting a reputation at school for being the class clown.
Episode 6 – MARRIAGE GUIDANCE
If Lee and Lucy’s marriage wasn’t in trouble before they go to Marriage Counselling, it is by the time they leave.
Episode 7 – ENOUGH
Lee and Lucy’s discussion about whether they should have another child descends into psychological warfare.
PRODUCTION CREDITS
An Avalon Television Production, the series is directed by Nick Wood and produced by Jamie Rix. Executive Producers are Richard Allen-Turner, Rob Aslett, Lee Mack and Jon Thoday.
