Sadly Over-hyped

Just intense enough to provide a much-needed diversion, just lightweight enough to make you forget about it soon after it’s over. It’s not exactly “good,” per se, but it does what it sets out to do in terms of putting us on edge, which makes it … successful?

True to its essence, the characters remain on the same line and manage to entertain the viewer, each highlighting their own distinctive qualities or touches.

It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

I like the way the sitcom shows men and women stereotypically, also the way they treat each other using blackmail, bribe and manipulation. Class isn't really shown as much in "whatever Happened to the Likely Lads". Although, "Men Behaving Badly" makes me laugh a lot more than "WHTTLL". I've been studying these two Sitcoms mentioned above for my AS-level. Watching Sitcoms is the best part of Media Studies. The Sitcom reflects the period in which it was written. While Social Class isn't as a big issue compared to "WHTTLL". Gary has a well paid job but never makes mention of it. The only time class is mentioned is when Tony is criticising Debs boyfriend, who are invariably 'middle class snobs'. Gary and Tony are stereotypes of masculinity, specifically the negative aspects such as immaturity, selfishness, lack of sensitivity and domestication. Dothothy and Debs, the female characters are also stereotypes but specifically they offer the more positive traits of responsibility, maturity and patience.

A classic example of great brit TV that didn't make the grade when translated into an American sitcom. (You may recall the "Men Behaving Badly" with Rob Schneider, Ron Eldard and Ken Marino which flopped despite a good cast, decent chemistry and desperate reformatting.) I wished it to survive due to my partiality to this original.The formula is simple: Responsible guy with wacky roommate, relationship humor and sticky situations...but it works splendidly. It's comparable to Dennis' better known "Coupling", which is scripted just a bit tighter, and obviously more attractive. But "MbB" is just every bit as witty while being a little more down to earth and not confined to the sexual humor genre.

This is the only comedy series I have ever watched that whether you are male or female you can absolutely relate to.Either you have done or experienced first hand everything that happens in each episode.Series 1 with Harry Enfield was fantastic, but when Neil Morrisey replaced him in Series 2 things only got better!If you have the DVD set (a great investment) then don't forget to check out the outtakes (via the Pub Quiz) - Very funny!Having read comments from others and external reviews, decided to add a bit more to my comments...Men Behaving Badly was interesting because it was a show that jumped channels. It started on ITV (only Series 1 I think) and then moved to the BBC. However it was still Pearson TV that were behind it so I'm not sure if the change of channel contributed to the fact that Series 2-6 and Last Orders were better (not only my opinion) than Series 1 or if it was purely better chemistry between the leads plus the public becoming more and more comfortable with them that gave this impression.In any case, I am only happy that I have never been subjected to the US version of this and I can remember it in its original mode!

If you Americans want to know anything about British culture, forget the 4 Weddings and a Funeral depictions, this comedy series provides the 'real' slice of British life. Focusing on the lives of two housemates (Gary and Tony) and their girlfriends (Dorothy and Deborah), this witty series explores the everyday experiences of work, sex, love and relationships in an appauling true to life manner.