Lee Mack responds to criticisms from those he refers to as middle-class ‘snobs’
Lee Mack has criticised what he sees as middle-class critics who fail to grasp the essence of the 'working-class art' embedded in the classic British sitcom.
The 55-year-old comedian and actor has made his mark as the creator and lead in the sitcom ‘Not Going Out,’ as well as serving as a team captain on the BBC One comedy panel show ‘Would I Lie to You?’ His recent venture involves hosting the game show ‘The 1% Club.’
His presence extends across numerous shows including appearances on ‘Have I Got News for You,’ ‘Never Mind the Buzzcocks,’ ‘8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown,’ and ‘QI.’
His sitcom, now in its 13th season with a recent Christmas Special, has become the second-longest running sitcom ever. Lee portrays a fictional version of himself, an unambitious man in his late thirties residing as a lodger in a flat in London Docklands.
Despite his sitcom’s success, he’s taken aim at those he perceives as not comprehending its appeal.
In a recent interview, Lee discussed his efforts to prevent the decline of British sitcoms.
He argues that it’s the middle-class decision-makers and journalists who fail to grasp the essence of the ‘working-class art’ seen in the shows cherished by the public.
“It’s a distinctive phenomenon rooted in the farce and music hall heritage,” he remarked.
“Even in present ‘favourite comedy of all time’ rankings, classics like Fawlty Towers, Blackadder, and Dad’s Army secure spots in the top ten, all carrying elements of farce.”
“I’m well aware that shows like Mrs Brown’s Boys can be polarising, and that’s what comedy does,” he explained during his interview with The Times.
He continued, “Since Not Going Out began in 2006, elitist critics have questioned its place in modern television. But the real question should be, what about this show bothers you? Audiences adore this style of comedy.”
Lee voiced his concerns about the absence of young comedians interested in creating traditional studio sitcoms.
According to the report, in 1984, there were 60 newly commissioned studio sitcoms.
In 2004, the count stood at seven, but this year, the tally is down to zero.
“It truly is an art—an art of the working class, I’d argue. And if we’re not vigilant, it’s at risk of fading away,” he expressed.
Recently, Lee also voiced his desire for sitcoms to thrive.
His show, which once drew in as many as six million viewers at its peak, faced cancellation in 2009 but was revived due to viewers’ uproar.
“There’s a distinct quality to a British studio sitcom with a live audience,” he remarked.
However, he reminisced about the time when Not Going Out premiered, stating, “It wasn’t in vogue at all.”
“The evening before we shot the pilot, there was an ITV documentary called ‘The Sitcom is Dead’ discussing how the studio-based sitcom was a thing of the past,” he recounted during a preview of the forthcoming Christmas episode, as per The Radio Times.
“At that time, there were more studio sitcoms around—Goodnight Sweetheart, My Family, Birds of a Feather… I reckon it might just be us and perhaps Mrs Brown’s Boys left now.”
The Christmas Special of Not Going Out is available for streaming on BBC iPlayer.
