Lee Mack's 'Not Going Out' Celebrates 20 Years with a Nod to Departures and a Glance at Generational Gaps

The long-running BBC sitcom "Not Going Out" has celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special episode, reflecting on the show's longevity and the departures of key cast members.

A Look Back at Departures

During a retrospective segment for "20 Years Of Not Going Out," former co-star Tim Vine recounted his departure from the show 14 years prior. Vine described his decision to leave as a desire for change, noting that while he and co-creator Lee Mack had since reconciled, the exit was initially a "shock to the system" for Mack. Mack, who stars as the show's central character, admitted that the departure of established characters was often handled with a brief, throwaway line, suggesting a reluctance to dwell on endings. The show also acknowledged the exits of Catherine Tate, who appeared in the pilot episode, and Miranda Hart, who left after three years to front their own successful series. Mack conceded these were valid reasons for leaving but did not sound enthusiastic about their subsequent successes.

The Perfectionist Behind the Comedy

Lee Mack is described as a perfectionist, a trait that has extended to his multifaceted role in "Not Going Out." From its origins as a sketch at the Edinburgh Fringe in 1999 to its first BBC broadcast in 2006, Mack has written, starred in, and directed the series. His hands-on approach in the early days even included overseeing sound overdubs. The show is characterized as the most intensely stage-managed comedy on British television since Stanley Baxter's sketch shows. Mack has built a successful career by finding infinite variations within a seemingly static premise, where "nothing ever happens."

Generational Satire in the Anniversary Episode

The anniversary episode, titled "Twentieth," saw Mack and his on-screen wife Lucy (Sally Bretton) hosting a house party for her 20-year-old goddaughter and her peers. The episode lampooned contemporary stereotypes, with the birthday girl experiencing panic attacks over popped balloons and Mack's character exhibiting anxiety about his alphabetized record collection being disturbed. This foray into satire marked a slight departure for the show. One scene depicted Mack's character forced into a "craven but insincere apology" to avoid social repercussions from the younger guests, a situation that felt "heavy-handed" at times. Despite these moments, Mack's "control-freak mode" was highlighted as a source of comedic joy, even extending to his interactions with the production crew, as he humorously questioned the cameramen for filming him before interviews began.