The 1% Club’s Lee Mack reveals snub by A-list rock legend and why his ‘half-diagnosed’ ADHD helps him write jokes
LEE MACK’s long-running comedy Not Going Out is one of the increasingly rare studio-based sitcoms still on TV.
And the funnyman fears the format, a staple for generations, could soon die out and blames “risk averse” commissioners and up-and-coming writers who are unfamiliar with its concept.
Speaking at the launch of a record 14th series of his BBC One hit, which makes it Britain’s second longest-running sitcom ever, Lee says shows such as Not Going Out, Fawlty Towers and Dad’s Army may soon be a thing of the past.
He said: “A 25-year-old comic now will remember The Office or the Royle Family, and will probably be even too young for that, but certainly won’t have grown up watching Fawlty Towers, Dad’s Army, Steptoe And Son, Rising Damp, all the things I used to watch, that I used to love thinking ‘wouldn’t it be brilliant to do something like that one day’.
“That’s the worry in a way. If you’re a fan of studio sitcom, the younger people coming through haven’t been brought up on it to want to do it.”
Gag rate
And young writers aren’t the only problem, as commissioners are less likely to take a punt on a new studio sitcom with a live audience, because they think it’s too “risky”.
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Instead they play it safe by making viewers feel “awkward”, as that’s easier and less likely to get a bashing from critics.
Lee, who names his sitcom, Mrs Brown’s Boys and Miranda (which may or may not return) as the only shows left of this type, explains: “Love or hate a studio sitcom, there’s no denying — especially with Mrs Brown’s Boys for example — they are really trying to go for the laughs, there’s a real attempt to do that.
“So if you attempt something, and it doesn’t work in the eyes of the person who doesn’t like it . . . people are being more risk-averse now by saying ‘why don’t we make people feel awkward’.”
The BBC has commissioned two new series of Not Going Out, and with the second running next year, the comedy will have aired for 20 years and racked up 15 series — second only to Last Of The Summer Wine.
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Lee prides himself on his sitcom’s gag rate of five jokes every minute, as well as the comedy’s ability to play out in real time, “like a play”, meaning they attempt to shoot a 30-minute episode in one go.
The comic, who also stars in TV juggernauts Would I Lie To You? and The 1% Club, admits he’s always “obsessively writing jokes” during states of “hyperfocus” which he puts down to his “half-diagnosed” ADHD.
The new series kicks off this month with Lee, who plays a fictional version of himself, and on-screen wife Lucy (Sally Bretton) moving to the country as their kids fly the nest.
The show has fast-forwarded seven years since its last outing in 2023, with the 100th episode and Christmas special watched by 4.6million viewers.
The series will also feature special guests, one of which will not be a Gallagher brother, despite Lee’s best efforts to lure in Noel Gallagher for a cameo.
Lee says: “I texted Noel and it was the day after the Saturday release of the (reunion) tickets.
“I suspect his inbox was quite big. I said ‘I know this isn’t a good time but I reckon everyone is asking for tickets — and I’m probably the only one who isn’t but will you be in my sitcom?’
“Never got back to me. It’s been almost eight months now and I am tempted to send one more message saying ‘is it a no?’”
He may have had better luck asking his brother Liam, who counts himself as a Lee fan — well, sort of.
The comedian adds: “I’ve never met Liam, but I was once in a play with Mathew Horne from Gavin And Stacey, who said to me, ‘I met up with Liam Gallagher last night and told him I was in a play with you and he said ‘ah yeah, I’ve always thought Lee Mack’s a bit of a w*nker but I suppose he’s all right’ — which I take as a high compliment.”
Indeed he should.
UK DEBUT
AMERICAN thriller The Consultant gets its UK debut on Sunday, with all episodes dropping on ITVX.
Based on the novel of the same name, it sees Christoph Waltz as the title character Regus Patoff navigating the challenges of improving a gaming firm that pushes him to the limit.
Auction bid for Sarah
CHANNEL 4 is adding another property series to its roster – following people who have bought their home at auction.
The broadcaster, which already has shows including Location Location Location, Grand Designs and Amazing Spaces, will air I Bought It At Auction, fronted by Sarah Beeny.
The six-part programme is being made by the production company behind ITV’s Mr Bates Vs The Post Office.
It will document the journey of the buyers from initial purchase to the final renovation, with property expert Sarah on hand to offer advice along the way.
She said: “Buying property at auction is risky and not for the faint-hearted but for those who dare, it can be exciting, albeit nerve-racking.”
Chase for top escape
IF you’ve ever dreamt of watching The Governess, The Beast and The Dark Destroyer slap suncream on each other in foreign climes, then ITV may just have the show for you.
I can reveal the channel is working on a fun new holiday format called The Great Escapers.
It will take groups of TV fan favourites from the likes of The Chase - including Anne Hegerty – Loose Women, I’m A Celeb and Coronation Street and send them off on a jaunt.
A source said: “The show will be lots of fun, showing a whole new side of each celebrity and even shining a light on some unusual holiday hotspots.
“The celebs will fight it out to give the others the best holiday experience with the aim of being crowned ‘the great escaper’.”
Filming across Europe will begin this summer with the show to air later this year.
I’d pay good money to see the Loosey Wims take Benidorm.
Footy flick
HOW To Have Sex writer Molly Manning Walker is making Channel 4 drama series, Major Players, about two young women trying to start a football team.
She said: “It is a coming-of-age story, filled with first love, grief and bicycle kicks. I’m excited to shine a light on women’s football.”
Chloe's tantric antics
FORMER Love Islander Chloe Burrows is on a new quest for romance on her latest TV outing.
Chloe, who featured on the 2021 series of the ITV2 reality show, ditches matchmaking apps and gets dating to see how singletons meet now.
Love In The Wild: The Real Dating Experiment sees Chloe asked to dance, hug, meditate and hold hands with strangers at a tantric dating night, in the hope it will cause a spark.
Chloe says: “They have a 94 per cent match success rate, so I was hopeful.
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“It’s really intense, there’s so much touching, I don’t think I’m a tantric girlie. I don’t even hug my mum that much.”
It streams on Channel 4 from tomorrow.