British Men Behaving Badly (1992–2014) User Reviews

Men acting excellently

[stamper · 9/10 · 20 August 2000]

This is the best show the BBC has to offer and the best English comedy series besides Fawlty Towers, so I feel and lucky a Dutch TV station finally picked this one up last year (I hope they'll also broadcast them following season).

The show is about Tony (Neil Morrissey) and Gary (Martin Clunes, whom some of you might remember as Richard Burbage in Shakespeare in Love) who live together and as the title of this show suggests they behave badly, actually they are pigs. They are dumb, filthy, insensitive, asocial and they drink a lot. But most of all they are believable, never have I seen a show that is so believable with such ‘extraordinary' people in it. Then of course these two are not alone, they are joint by Gary's and Tony's upstairs neighbour Deborah (Leslie Ash) and Gary's girlfriend Dorothy (Caroline Quentin), who can actually be just as filthy as Gary but only if she feels like it.

This really is a very good show, because the actors are great and it is funny (if you have got the right sense of humour, cause if you don't you might be offended). This a 30 minute gross-out session I just MUST attend every week.

90s Britain frozen in time

[Ruskington · 7/10 · 27 September 2020]

One of my favourite shows from back in the day. Men Behaving Badly tapped into the 'lad culture' of nineties Britain very nicely and now serves as a very likeable piece of nostalgia. Martin Clunes hogs the limelight from start to finish with his wonderful comic timing and elastic facial acting, and it's fair to say the show might not have made it past a first series were it not for his brilliance. It may not be as polished or iconic as some other shows from the same era but Men Behaving Badly has its own unique charm and character that is still hilarious decades later.

The Original and far superior Men Behaving Badly.

[qrhrmgrjbm · 8/10 · 11 August 2021]

It still makes me mad that the lousy American version is called Men Behaving Badly and this version is called British Men Behaving Badly It should be reversed.

Inspired, raucous...I miss it so much!

[archer1267 · 5 June 2000]

Not since The Young Ones have I been so hooked on a British comedy!

I lived in England for a brief period and while over there was introduced to Men Behaving Badly, possibly THE funniest sitcom I've ever seen. I was embarrassed when we (that is, the United States) tried to remake it with Ron Eldard and Rob Snyder (how does this guy continuously get work??). As TV censors are more uptight here, it was impossible to replicate the show's madcap, off-color humor, which is what made it work in the first place. (Ditto when High Society - another sitcom that thankfully flopped - tried to mimic Ab Fab.) The part where Gary finds his girlfriend's diaphragm and tries fitting it in his mouth - the way little kids do orange sections - was priceless, and would never make it past censors here, aside from maybe a Saturday Night Live sketch.

As a woman, I probably should have been repelled by some of Tony and Gary's antics, but found them oddly endearing and fun to watch. (Of course, if I was dating either one, the story would be different!) The only complaint I have was that the Gary-Dorothy romance wasn't very convincing...but then again, maybe she dated him because "I wanted someone I could feel superior to!" as she herself once said.

Gary's dad/officemates are also a hoot...I don't know if it's just because ageing British eccentrics are played for laughs (see The Major on any Fawlty Towers episode) or what.

I wish this show would come out on video!!!!!!

Truly Hilarious

[Rabical-91 · 10/10 · 13 January 2015]

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.

Great British humour

[Em Face · 10/10 · 30 May 2000]

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.

Comedy Banter and Misbehaviour

[Darkside-Reviewer · 7/10 · 26 June 2019]

Classic British comedy following two alpha males as they go from being single happy go lucky bachelor's to maturing very slowly and being in relationships with there ideal partners.

Living together as roommates they both are your typical male unkept house dishes in the sink and dirty magazines in the bathroom while both having the charm to pull women out of there league and acting the fool.

The cast works really well together and you get genuine laughs from this show weither it's from daft moments like Tony trying to impress his girlfriend Debra by downing a full can or Stella or wacky roommate antics where the two compete in battles of the not so clever minds.

Really funny show

[ulca01 · 10/10 · 15 February 2014]

A really funny show with great humor, actors and stories.

It is the first time I have seen Martin Clunes in any other show than "Doc Martin", and it is refreshing to see that he can play a character who is not as "dry" or "humorless" than his character in "doc Martin".

I especially like the story lines where Gary gets himself into trouble with Dorothy, and also the ones where Tony fails at "getting" Deborah.

I quite honestly can not find anything about this show to dislike; I find it flawless and much less irritating than some of the other stuff on the telly.

All in all, this is a great example of classic, wacky, British humor, which I personally find to be the best.

Good acting but some of the story point are repetitive!

[bobjackieson · 7/10 · 30 October 2019]

Sid is definitely the best character. All the bar scenes are great and give the TV show its identity!

The male creature in its natural state...

[Howlin Wolf · 10/10 · 6 August 2007]

... BEHAVING BADLY! Oh what joyous fun it is.

The series didn't work on ITV. Scheduling and advertising issues meant that it wasn't able to go far enough and be as crude as is perhaps necessary on occasion. Before you can laugh at raunchy antics though, it helps if you actually care about the characters involved. First flatmate Dermot was quite dour and Harry Enfield was obviously uncomfortable, so the character he played became difficult to like. The arrival of Neil Morrisey as "Tony Smart" created a perfect double act, meaning the series really hit its stride come the start of series 3, after they'd had time to gel. Serendipitously also the same moment that the show switched channels and moved to the BBC, it became a partnership made in bawdy heaven and never once deteriorated in quality from then on.

Of the two, "Gary" has to be my favourite character; all the infantile preoccupations of Tony, complicated by delusions of sophistication along with immense frustration at his dead-end job. His insecurity about being in a relationship and his attempts to gain advice in this area from work colleagues George and Anthea can be hilarious.

Watching grown men conduct themselves like kids never got old. It's a real shame that according to reports they seem to have disappeared from our screens for good...

Who wants to grow up? Not these blokes

[ygwerin1 · 7/10 · 28 February 2022]

This show has long been one of my son Jamie's absolute favourite TV comedy shows, while I have constantly dismissed it without giving it a first let alone second chance.

I finally decided that perhaps I hadn't given it a fair shot, having simply discarded it after the merest glimps.

I have now watched every episode of the show from series 3 to series 7, and the special seasonal episodes.

Possibly because I am getting much older I found myself taking more initial notice of, the two people working in the office of the security equipment firm. Although I am still older at 73 than George and Anthea, I am still much nearer both their ages and general temperament, than Gary, Tony, Dorothy and Deborah.

While I imagine that my son being nearer to the age and possible temperament off the younger members, could have something to do with why he relates to them rather than to George and Anthea.

The main problem that I previously had towards this show is the general manic behaviour of the two young blokes, principally to Tony though somewhat less to Gary.

Having now watched so many episodes I would say that Gary having a regular job makes some difference, as he has to somehow try and balance his natural exuberance with managing to remain employable. He is in many ways a typical bloke that struggles, with any consideration of having to grow up and settle down.

Tony on the other hand remains as my son, so aptly describes him "like a toddler with special needs".

Though ironically even he manages to eventually morph into a totally different personality, when he two finally succumbs to the world of work.

Dorothy is she would like to suppose much more together than Gary, and an all round better human being.

She most definitely assumes that she could do much better, and probably feels annoyed with herself with her decision to settle for so little in a bloke.

Dorothy is to some extent the Ying to Tony's Yang, though they are not exactly the mirror opposites of one another.

Deborah is young and vivacious and anyone would, consider themselves especially lucky that she even knew that they existed. So why I have to ask myself does she settle into such an environment, why on earth would she decide to stay there especially after she gets to know them?

The actors for all of the shows characters seem to be perfect for their respective rolls, and both fit the parts like the proverbial glove. But they also bring their parts to life as believable fully rounded people, that you could easily imagine knowing in your own lives.

I have seen Martin Clunes in so many differing roles now, and I think that possibly the earliest occasion was in a Harry Enfield TV show. Interestingly for me I found myself noticing for what felt like the first time his lug holes, quite why I hadn't noticed them before I can't now imagine.

Neil Morrissey is still someone I am yet to see in much else, but he fills his role of Tony to overflowing so I must keep an eye out for his other stuff.

Caroline Quentin I have only really seen to any extent in one other TV show Jonathan Creek, and she fills both the role of Madeleine and that of Dorothy perfectly.

Leslie Ash is an actress that I have not seen that much of, certainly no other TV comedy that I can recall.

The only other thing that I can remember seeing her in is the film Quadrophenia by the rock group The Who, where she plays an incredibly young woman Steph.

"Garry!"

[wilmawilcat · 10/10 · 28 May 2004]

I wouldn't want to be in any of these relationships, but they are still hilarious and have a lot of truth to tell. The truth about the sofa is unforgettable. I can't tell you how many times I settled into my chair now while thinking that after a certain age, a person wants their own chair.

I'm posting here mainly to report that I have it from the BBC shop online in an email that they are planning this set on DVD. I inquired for myself, and I just hope they know it should come out in Region 1 as well as Europe. We got it on BBC-A and watched the hell out of it. Great series.

Puerile, one-note joke that goes on interminably

[Emberweave · 3/10 · 1 November 2018]

I started watching this show because I like the actors in it from other stuff and I thought it would be fun to see their earlier work. Well, sadly, the enjoyment pretty much ended there. ITV cancelled the show after two series for good reason. These aren't men behaving badly, they're just stupid. And it's the same stupid in every single episode. Why the BBC picked this up I'll never know. Supposedly the first series was to be a showcase for Harry Enfield, but the writing doesn't really bear that out. Enfield left after the first series because he felt he was the weakest link in the cast. He was. His performance was so low energy and so distracted that I began to wonder if he was on sedatives the entire time. In series two, Neil Morrissey joins the cast and he is a burst of energy that was sorely needed. However, the show never develops or evolves into anything. It's just the same tired premise in slightly different clothes. The men are stupid, and the women are stupid. Why does Deborah keep coming downstairs and interacting with these guys when all they ever do is make crude sexual jokes and try to get her into bed? Why does Dorothy stay with Gary when he constantly flirts with Deborah right in front of her? I gave up halfway through series three when the fun of seeing Clunes, Quentin, and Morrissey younger had completely worn off and the scripts were just tired and contrived. Simon Nye did a better job with "Wild West". This show is certainly a time capsule of a different era. The most interesting part of this show would be to have it discussed in a university film class on gender stereotypes. It's a good example of why the "Me, too" movement came about and a clear example of white male heterosexual privilege. Tony is constantly harassing Deborah and she just takes it. Gary is a horrible boss to his employees and they just take it. Tony and Gary are total buffoons and idiots, yet they are at the top of the heap. They know they can get away with behaving badly.

Men Behaving Brilliantly

[cari_73 · 16 January 2005]

Brilliant, hilarious, crude, and did I say brilliant!!! Neil is great in these series, as is Martin, Caroline and Leslie. The look at their hum-drum lives couldn't be funnier and yet so close to the heart of so many of us out there!!! These two unlikely house-mates (Clunes and Morrisey) somehow make a fantastic coupling of characters which tug at the funny-bones, and even a little at the heartstrings, as they try to impress (but often insult) the patient and persevering Deborah and Dorothy. Not to mention their less than impressive career moves. Leaves a certain American series starring a certain American comedian for dead!!!

I love Men Behaving Badly

[Kirstymania · 10/10 · 26 May 2006]

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 very funny show, but probably indirectly responsible for creating a lot of the 'lad culture' we see today

[wellthatswhatithinkanyway · 8/10 · 27 July 2008]

STAR RATING: ***** Saturday Night **** Friday Night *** Friday Morning ** Sunday Night * Monday Morning

Gary (Martin Clunes) runs his own security firm and owns his own house, but is an incredibly boring and self centred individual who complains too much and possesses a remarkable lack of tact. To get a bit of extra income, he lodges his home out to tenants, such as Dermot (Harry Enfield) who eventually goes away and Tony (Neil Morrissey), waster types who annoy him but with whom he forms a 'laddish' sort of friendship with, much to the annoyance of his long suffering girlfriend Dorothy (Catherine Quentin) and Deborah (Leslie Ash) the object of Dermot and then Tony's affections who keeps having to put up with their pathetic attempts to woo her...

While the British have always maintained a 'reserved' decorum, there was a time not so long ago when we also managed to be fairly 'restrained' as well, in the days before constant news reports of 'binge drinking' and 'lad culture' hit the headlines. So something must have happened to make us 'lose' this restraint somehow. Something that made drunken foolishness 'cool', something that started the 'lad' culture. Men Behaving Badly might have a bit to answer for in this respect. It became a hit show, meaning the public somehow loved watching these two pathetic, grown men behave in a buffoonish manner, usually after consuming large quantities of lager, to themselves, towards others and to various women who either take advantage of them or avoid them like the plague. The great writing and comic timing of Clunes and his respective co-stars must have somehow ensured this, but at what cost you may wonder?

Clunes made Gary a character of his own, a grumpy, cynical man with a moaning girlfriend and who suffered constant jibes at his rather large ears, and as soon as series one ended and the show switched over from ITV to BBC 1, Morrissey took it from one extreme to the other, as sensitive, optimistic Tony who could never hold down a job and could only do his best to get Deborah to like him. I wasn't so fond of Enfield, maybe it was because I grew up with Morrissey but I still found his character a little too whiny and annoying. But although they lasted through-out the series, both the female stars weren't so well written, I thought. Quentin and Ash did a good job playing them, but they complained and insulted so much it's a wonder that a.) Gary stayed with Dorothy and b.) Tony would want to go near Debs. Maybe it was because they were so inadequate they would only ever be their best shot, but...

A hit show that sticks in the mind years after the last series ended, but the next time you go out for a nice Saturday night out, just think, what legacy has it left? ****

Men Behaving Badly

[jboothmillard · 9/10 · 16 May 2005]

I had seen many bits and pieces, mainly various outtakes on Blunder shows, and one full episode (the final one, "Delivery"), and when I finally decided to get the whole lot, I was very pleased. The series started with BAFTA winning (and nominated), British Comedy Award winning, and National Television Award nominated Martin Clunes as Gary Strang, Leslie Ash as Deborah and British Comedy Award winning (and nominated) Caroline Quentin as Dorothy, but originally Harry Enfield was the fourth member of the gang, as Dermot, but he apparently wasn't comfortable, and replacement Neil Morrissey as Tony Smart made the show what we know today. The series basically revolved around best mates Gary and Tony (and for that first series, Dermot, but forget about him now) who share a two bedroom home. They are two grown up men who act like kids, and spend most time either drinking in their local, at home having all male conversations (while drinking), or lingering after their love interests, Gary with Dorothy, and Tony with Deborah. Also starring Ian Lindsay as George, Valerie Minifie as Anthea, Dave Atkins as Les and John Thomson as Ken, with appearances by young Catherine Tate as Young Woman, EastEnders' Tamzin Outhwaite as Girl in Pub, Sugar Rush's Sara Stewart as Judy, EastEnders' Amanda Drew as Wendy and EastEnders' Lucy Speed as Chambermaid. The dialogue was good, the slapstick was good, the stories were good, and of course, Clunes and Morrissey are perfect, a good series that will never get boring, no matter how many times you've seen it. It was twice nominated the BAFTA for Best Comedy (Programme or Series), it won (and was nominated for) the British Comedy Award for Best BBC/ITV Sitcom/Comedy, and it twice won the National Television Award Most Popular Comedy Series, and it was nominated for Most Popular Comedy Programme. Martin Clunes was number 35 on TV's 50 Greatest Stars, the episode "Performance" was number 37 on The 100 Greatest Christmas Moments, and the programme was number 16 on Britain's Best Sitcom. Very good!

Brilliant

[ronbell-23984 · 10/10 · 21 January 2021]

Hilarious very often love this one. All involved are excellent but Martin Clines stands out. The PC brigade will hate this but it's only tailored for this with a sense of humour.

One lime

[strike-1995 · 8/10 · 15 May 2019]

Not exactly politically correct, but if you enter a bubble and ignore all the problematic jokes it's very funny.

Not the best of British, but popular

[jamiemorgan · 4/10 · 14 May 2006]

While I'm not a fan of this kind of humour, it is testament to England's ability to produce quality programmes that is echoed the world over.

Even though I haven't seen the American version of this show, and have no wish to, it does beg the question, why can't American TV execs watch a British comedy without saying "that's a good programme, very popular, lets do it ourselves" And ruin it. Not that this programme needs ruining since it did it, itself. But alas, I am clearly in the minority, this show has stood the test of time with countless re-runs on BBCtv, UK Gold, and while I stand to be corrected, even on Paramount Comedy. So credit to the actors in the show!

A brilliant show

[Mmyers2003 · 11 November 2002]

I wish it had carried on longer but all good things must come to an end sometime. Another classic Uk sitcom and going by the 90's standards of crappy comedy this definately is the best one of the decade (except maybe Bottom and Vicar of Dibley). Watch this show its worth it.

Bad

[hairylegs-34263 · 2/10 · 3 August 2019]

The show is very seldom rerun if a rerun at all that shows how good its longevity is, it's a stereotypical male orientated show with male stereotypes. But on the plus side the women are not what you would expect they can handle the larger lout cavemen. Once again a cast change after season 1 euough said

So true, it's scary!!!

[irate · 11 February 2003]

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!

The reason I bought my DVD player...

[cmjl-1 · 4 August 2004]

The reason I bought my DVD player was so that I could play the DVD's in the Men behaving Badly box set that I was fortunate enough to buy back in 2001.

It was a hefty investment at the time but it has been worth it in repeated laughs since then.

Having shared flats in my youth with friends, I found it easy to relate to the situations that Tony and Gary found themselves in. Work problems, girl problems, hygiene problems - oh how the memories come flooding back!

Who can forget Gary's antics at the all-night rave-party, or Tony's attempts to tattoo himself on the cheap. Even the first series with Dermott (Harry Enfield), though not as good as later series, had many good moments. Just how hard is it to assemble a book-case?

Simon Nye deserves a medal for this stuff!

Excellent

[jrb1802 · 10 December 1999]

One of the best British sit-coms that the BBC have produced in the last twenty years. Martin Clunes and Neil Morrissey are perfectly cast as Gary and Tony, as are, Caroline Quentin and Leslie Ash as their long suffering girlfriends. I don't think British audiences took well to the U.S. version of the show that came out in 1996, because the UK version had been around four years prior to this, and we had taken to the characters. But it is the same with any sit-com that is re-made from the UK Version and vice-versa. The BBC make a habit of re-running this show, and I never get tired of watching it.