I've always liked Lee Mack, but in the last couple of years something weird has happened. I think I've started to love Lee Mack. He returns this week in a new series of Not Going Out, which in itself is something of an achievement. It is currently the longest running sitcom on air. I guess it'll stay that way for some time unless they decide to make another series of Last of the Summer Wine or Only Fools and Horses.
But the thing about Mack is that there is much more to him than meets the eye. I used to have him down as a sharp stand-up with a hint of Eric Morecambe. Nowt wrong with that but that was about it. But he has excelled himself lately. First with his comedy antics on Would I Lie To You? then with his goal-scoring antics on Soccer Aid. Then with the 1 Per Cent Club where he has turned a fairly mundane quiz into something of a Saturday night must-see. Come for the IQ-style questions, stay for Mack's wisecracks.
He was also one of the attractions on Freeze The Fear With Wim Hof which he co-hosted with Holly Willoughby. And obviously he was a hit on Taskmaster when he appeared on the show in 2021.
And then best of all there was his other very surprising quiz show, 3by3. The pilot aired on Thursday night a few weeks ago when the scheduled programme could not be broadcast due to a technical hitch. Except, of course, this was actually another high concept episode of chiller anthology Inside No 9. When the upcoming cast of the eighth series had been announced Mack's name was not mentioned. In fact the episode was supposed to have been set on a bus and starring Confession actor Robin Askwith (another deceptively complex perfomer with a very interesting CV - google him).
Mack played the quizmaster straight, coming up with the same sort of off the cuff asides that he deploys so well on 1 Per Cent Club. Except that this time there was more to the quiz than met the eye. It ended with mother and daughter playing for the star prize but instead of collecting the money the daughter used her telekinetic powers to make the mum's head explode. Well that's my theory anyway.
It was another great performance from Mack who is way more versatile than you might initially think. A few years ago I even saw him on the West End stage in a major revival of Molière’s classic comedy The Miser alongside Griff Rhys Jones.
As I said he's full of surprises. He clearly has a sensitive, thoughtful side. He doesn't drink and is a vegan. He has also co-hosted a podcast about Buddhism, mindfulness and the possibility of leading a more spiritual life. It was called I Can’t Believe It’s Not Buddha. Sounds like a classic Lee Mack wisecrack, except that this time it isn't. Listen here.
Not Going Out, Fridays from June 23, 9pm, BBC1.
Picture of Lee Mack & Hugh Dennis: BBC/Avalon
