Like 'Red Dwarf' and 'Only Fools & Horses', 'Men Behaving Badly' was one of those sitcoms that took time to catch on. It started life in 1989 as a novel written by Simon Nye which followed the lives of two drunken, flat-sharing slobs, Gary and Dermot. After reading it, producer Beryl Vertue tracked down Nye and suggested that he make it into a sitcom. The idea was taken to Thames Television, where a six-part series was commissioned. Harry Enfield and Martin Clunes took on the roles of Dermot and Gary. Gary is the head of a security sales firm and is in a turbulent relationship with his girlfriend Dorothy ( played by Caroline Quentin ). Dermot is a useless idiot who cannot hold down a job for more than a week and is forever failing to pay his rent at Gary's flat. Moving in upstairs is a stunning blonde called Deborah ( Leslie Ash ), who instantly becomes the centre of lustful attention from both Gary and Dermot.
The reaction with which 'Men Behaving Badly' first met with was appalling ( Leslie Ash later went on to say in an interview that it was at first hailed as being nothing more than sexist rubbish! ). The viewing figures for the first series were unremarkable and to make matters worse, Harry Enfield decided to jump ship after feeling miscast in the programme ( ironic considering it was him that coaxed a reluctant Martin Clunes into joining the show ). Beryl Vertue managed to persuade ITV to give the show a second chance and so another series was made, with Neil Morrisey stepping in to play Gary's new flatmate Tony. No sooner has Tony moved in than he starts making advances at Deborah and knocking back the cans late at night with Gary. The second series was better than the first, though it still failed to cause much of a stir and by this point, Thames Television decided to throw in the towel ( probably as well considering they lost their ITV franchise soon after ). After managing to save it from being exiled once, Vertue then took 'Men Behaving Badly' to the BBC, where it was given a post-watershed slot on BBC1, meaning stronger language was allowed to be used, as well as more risque jokes. From then on, its future was assured. Three more series followed and to my mind it was one of the best sitcoms of the '90's along with 'Bottom', 'Rab C. Nesbitt' and 'Keeping Up Appearances'.
The show could have easily been called 'The Naughty Boys' ( which funnily enough was the title of a sketch done by Clunes and Morrisey for 'Comic Relief' ). Martin Clunes was superb as Gary, a man who means well but through drunken childish behaviour causes intense resentment in others. Clunes had done sitcom before. He appeared as Nigel Garwood in Jon Watkins' 'No Place Like Home'. I am not a fan of Neil Morrisey but the decision for him to replace Enfield I think was for the best. Caroline Quentin's Dorothy got on my nerves and it was beyond me how her and Gary still stuck with each other considering how often they were at each others throats. Leslie Ash's sexy Deborah made a huge impression on me ( need I say why? ). What a pity Ash's looks were ruined after her well publicised silicone lip implant job went disastrously wrong. Also impressive was the late Dave Atkins as uncouth barman Les, who was later replaced by John Thomson as Ken, someone whose knowledge of successful pub management could fit on the head of a pin. Ian Lindsay and Valerie Minifie appeared from time to time as Gary's boring office subordinates George and Anthea.
Thanks to reruns on UK Gold and DVD releases, 'Men Behaving Badly' remains hugely popular with viewers, and rightly so. I should conclude this review by throwing in a mention for Alan Lisk's superb theme tune which encapsulates so well the feel of the show.
The reaction with which 'Men Behaving Badly' first met with was appalling ( Leslie Ash later went on to say in an interview that it was at first hailed as being nothing more than sexist rubbish! ). The viewing figures for the first series were unremarkable and to make matters worse, Harry Enfield decided to jump ship after feeling miscast in the programme ( ironic considering it was him that coaxed a reluctant Martin Clunes into joining the show ). Beryl Vertue managed to persuade ITV to give the show a second chance and so another series was made, with Neil Morrisey stepping in to play Gary's new flatmate Tony. No sooner has Tony moved in than he starts making advances at Deborah and knocking back the cans late at night with Gary. The second series was better than the first, though it still failed to cause much of a stir and by this point, Thames Television decided to throw in the towel ( probably as well considering they lost their ITV franchise soon after ). After managing to save it from being exiled once, Vertue then took 'Men Behaving Badly' to the BBC, where it was given a post-watershed slot on BBC1, meaning stronger language was allowed to be used, as well as more risque jokes. From then on, its future was assured. Three more series followed and to my mind it was one of the best sitcoms of the '90's along with 'Bottom', 'Rab C. Nesbitt' and 'Keeping Up Appearances'.
The show could have easily been called 'The Naughty Boys' ( which funnily enough was the title of a sketch done by Clunes and Morrisey for 'Comic Relief' ). Martin Clunes was superb as Gary, a man who means well but through drunken childish behaviour causes intense resentment in others. Clunes had done sitcom before. He appeared as Nigel Garwood in Jon Watkins' 'No Place Like Home'. I am not a fan of Neil Morrisey but the decision for him to replace Enfield I think was for the best. Caroline Quentin's Dorothy got on my nerves and it was beyond me how her and Gary still stuck with each other considering how often they were at each others throats. Leslie Ash's sexy Deborah made a huge impression on me ( need I say why? ). What a pity Ash's looks were ruined after her well publicised silicone lip implant job went disastrously wrong. Also impressive was the late Dave Atkins as uncouth barman Les, who was later replaced by John Thomson as Ken, someone whose knowledge of successful pub management could fit on the head of a pin. Ian Lindsay and Valerie Minifie appeared from time to time as Gary's boring office subordinates George and Anthea.
Thanks to reruns on UK Gold and DVD releases, 'Men Behaving Badly' remains hugely popular with viewers, and rightly so. I should conclude this review by throwing in a mention for Alan Lisk's superb theme tune which encapsulates so well the feel of the show.