Not Going Out

Not Going Out is back, single-handedly, as far as I'm concerned, keeping the sitcom genre going. I made a tentative step into the C21st by engaging with i-player and watched all six of the new series  rather than record them or try to remember what night it's on. Although I hold out against many of these conveniences, sometimes eventually one submits to them because needs must.

I'm not saying it's quite in the same elite category as Fawlty Towers, Dad's Army, Blackadder and The Office but it makes its case for belonging somewhere near The Royle Family, Early Doors, Steptoe, the Likely Lads and Fools and Horses. Three out of the six are brilliant. By now Lee Mack and his mate have their template, their way of writing them and plot themes, and situations recur, but they have now reduced it by losing Hugh Dennis and his wife next door who served a purpose and I don't know if it's clear where the children have gone but we are better off without them.

I don't 'lol' much, me, outright laughter doesn't come easily but there were several occasions in this series. 

Good. Very good. But I ate the whole box of chocolates too quickly. They must take a long time to write and then they're gone but I'll see them again and think, blimey, there's still such a thing a classic television.