BBC AMERICA PREMIERES ROMANTIC SITCOM

Not Going Out stars top-UK comedians, Lee Mack and Tim Vine, from The Sketch Show

In the series premiere of sitcom, Not Going Out, Lee gets more than he bargained for when he moves in with a clean-living Californian, Kate (Megan Dodds, Viva Blackpool, MI-5). It isn't long before their easy-going, comfortable friendship moves into uncharted waters � a situation complicated by the fact that Lee's best friend, Tim, is Kate's ex-boyfriend, and he wants her back. Who will remain friends? Who will remain more?

Not Going Out premieres Friday, May 2, 9:20 p.m. ET/PT.

While Lee, unburdened by ambition or drive, drifts from one ill-advised job to another, he's quite happy to live off Kate's goodwill and generosity � even if that means occasionally having to eat her disgustingly-healthy home cooking. In the season premiere, Kate tries to make Lee choose a career path. She's determined to push him into making something of his life � but when she suggests Clown School, she ends up attending classes herself, with unintentionally hilarious results. Meanwhile, to prove he can be taken seriously, Lee agrees to go on a date with an earnest author whose book was published by Kate's company. While Lee's away, Tim tries to convince Kate he's made a mistake � especially now that he's seen Kate's rapidly-blossoming friendship with Lee.

Lee and Tim starred in the Rose d'Or-nominated and BAFTA-winning The Sketch Show. Lee also received nominations for the prestigious Perrier Award, Time Out Best Live Comedy Award and Best Newcomer at the British Comedy Awards. Tim is a recipient of the Perrier Best Newcomer Award and also holds the Guinness World Record for Telling The Most Jokes in an Hour � smashing the previous record with a total of 499.

Season two of Not Going Out, with a season premiere of June 13, will immediately follow season one. Press kit to follow.

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WHAT THE BRITISH PRESS SAID

"BBC has finally found a sitcom worth staying in for � Not Going Out looks like the perfect solution to Friday nights." Daily Mirror

"This new comedy, starring comedian Lee Mack as a wise-cracking loser, is the most gag-laden sitcom this year. Telling jokes as we know it is almost a dying art in TV comedy but here Mack cleverly combines the traditions of sitcom with some classy production values. In short, it's funny." Sunday Express

"Lee Mack's comedy Not Going Out turned into one of the most laugh-aloud comedies on screen in aeons." The Mail on Sunday

CAST AND PRODUCTION CREDITS

Lee Lee Mack (The Sketch Show, Would I Lie To You?)

Kate Megan Dodds (Viva Blackpool, MI-5)

Tim Tim Vine (The Sketch Show, Fluke)

Lucy Sally Bretton (The Office, Green Wing)

Guy Simon Dutton (The Saint, Holby City)

Barbara Miranda Hart (Hyperdrive, Lead Balloon)

Producer Alex Hardcastle

Director Nick Wood

Executive Producers Lee Mack, Jon Thoday, Richard Allen-Turner, Sally Debonnair

EPISODE SYNOPSES

Episode One - Serious

In tonight's opening episode, Lee tries to find his serious side by going on a date with an author, while Kate attempts to discover her lighter side at Clown School. Meanwhile Kate's ex-boyfriend Tim tries to patch things up with her, by finally apologizing for his misdemeanors.

Episode one premieres Friday, May 2, 9:20 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode Two - Death

Tim's grandmother dies, bringing him and Kate closer together, much to Lee's concern. He's encouraged to share his thoughts with a therapist, who is not impressed with Lee's inability to have a proper conversation. To add to this, there is inappropriate behavior at the funeral, a furious elderly relative and Tim's new drink of choice is becoming addictive.

Episode two premieres Friday, May 9, 9:20 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode Three - Aussie

Ruth (Julia Morris), an Australian friend of Kate's, comes to stay and Lee is persuaded to pretend to be Tim. But how long can they keep up the charade? Meanwhile, Lee gets a job handing out leaflets at a shopping mall, but soon gets in a fight with a local teenager.

Episode three premieres Friday, May 16, 9:20 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode Four - Stress

Lee finds himself increasingly stressed out while trying to teach Kate how to drive. Following Kate's advice, he tries yoga � but his technique leaves a lot to be desired. A trip to a local acupuncturist (Miranda Hart, Hyperdrive) is no more successful, so he resorts to more extreme measures. Meanwhile, a drive in the countryside has a dramatic and disastrous conclusion.

Episode four premieres Friday, May 23, 9:20 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode Five - Kid

Kate and Lee are forced to take in a roommate � a surly 14-year-old boy, Nicky (Rupert Simonian). Lee's attempts to bond with the teenager prove less than successful, while Tim and Nicky discover they have quite a lot in common. Meanwhile, Kate tries to persuade a carnivorous Great Dane to become a vegetarian�with unfortunate results.

Episode five premieres Friday, May 30, 9:20 p.m. ET/PT.

Episode Six - Caretaker

Lee finally manages to get a job as a caretaker. But taking up the new post involves moving out of the apartment. Kate interviews potential new roommates including Pete (Duncan Duff), and Tim sees an opportunity to get back together with Kate. Lee's new boss (Adrian Hood) proves to be a taskmaster. Will Lee stick it out or move back in with Kate?

Episode six premieres Friday, June 6, 9:20 p.m. ET/PT.

Season two of Not Going Out, with a season premiere of June 13, will immediately follow season one.