One of the BBC's longest-running sitcoms, Not Going Out, is back on screens – and not for the first time. The "fantastically funny" and hugely popular comedy aired its finale in 2014, following up with a Christmas special in 2015. The show then disappeared from air only to make a lacklustre return in 2017, but with many fans complaining that the comedy had lost its way.
This disappointment for the once-loved sitcom largely seems to have been attributed to the change in dynamic. During the eight year time jump, the central foursome – made up of Lucy (Beyond Paradise's Sally Bretton), Lee (Lee Mack), Tim (Tim Vine) and Daisy (Katy Wix) – had a complete makeover, with the latter two of the friendship group being replaced by a now-married Lucy and Lee's three children.
Gone was the juvenile drifter Lee from the earlier seasons, and the will they/won't they tension that commenced with the introduction of Bretton's Lucy. Spoiler alert: They will, and they did.
Instead it was repackaged as a family drama, full of comical marital spats and the chaotic parent juggle. It seems a family rebrand was not the kind of humour fans were craving, as they criticised Not Going Out's reprise for being "unrecognisable."
Some claimed that the show's style of humour "completely changed" and that the dialogue was "no longer as sharp and witty" (via IMDb). And while there were a few cracking episodes, the season 8–13 arc was comparatively dull.
Fast-forward just two years, and Not Going Out has returned with a new format, sans kids, in what we are seeing as a way to revive some of its original humorous identity.
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As per the synopsis: "Series 14 now rolls the story on several years again, with the couple moving away from their suburban 'empty nest' and finding plenty of time to focus on each other… what could possibly go wrong? (Spoiler: quite a lot!)."
That "wrong" kicks off instantaneously with the couple's hunt for a new home unravelling into absolute chaos, involving carp, toilet humour and deception. The narrative is completely out there, with events becoming more and more implausible with every ludicrous decision – and yet it just works.
It's the kind of funny that has no right to make you giggle, but there you are amused by the silliness.
The same is true of the rest of the season, which doesn't waste time lamenting on the transition from a house full of kids to life as a twosome once more. On the contrary, the re-focus on them as a couple allows them to lean a little heavier into the cruder comedy of the show's earlier seasons.
While it can't quite recapture entirely the same feel, Not Going Out's third stint offers a different kind of laugh out loud spirit while maintaining the witty banter and quick quips the show is famed for.
We think original Not Going Out fans are going to find much to enjoy.
All episodes of Not Going Out are available to stream now on BBC iPlayer with episodes airing every Friday on BBC One at 9pm.
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TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
