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The first series features Martin Clunes as Gary Strang, and Harry Enfield as his flat mate, Dermot Povey. From series two onwards, Enfield is replaced by Neil Morrissey as Tony Smart, who resumes Dermot's role as the immature under-achiever, perpetually behind in his rent, and hopelessly in love with Deborah, who lives in the flat above. Despite Gary's initial reservations, he soon replaces Dermot in the role of Gary's best friend. Tony and Dermot are similar in character, although Dermot was slightly more introverted and repressed. It is reported that Enfield has claimed he felt uncomfortable in the programme, and left stating that a "proper actor" would do the job far better. Dermot is only mentioned twice after his departure, the first to explain that he simply isn't coming home, and the second in the first episode of series five, when Dorothy recalls him (to which Gary replies "Did I tell you he got a job at Euro-Disney, testing the rides?"

The first series featuring Enfield has never been repeated on the BBC, although the second ITV series has been shown. Simon Nye has stated that ITV picked up the series partly because Enfield agreed to star in it. However the ITV network axed the show after two series, due to poor audience figures. It has been claimed that this was due to ITV giving it a poor slot in the schedules, forcing the "bad behaviour" to be toned down. The BBC quickly picked up the show, airing it in a later timeslot, with the result that it soon turned into one of the biggest situation comedies of the 1990s. Out of a total of one hundred sitcoms, Men Behaving Badly was the sixteenth most popular in BBC's Britain's Best Sitcom, which aired on BBC Two a few years back.

Series one & two (the ITV series) were made by Thames Television. The remainder were produced by Hartswood Films. Six series were made, plus a Christmas special. A final short run of three 45 minute episodes was made in 1998 to conclude the series. These were aired over Christmas, as had the "final" three episodes on Only Fools And Horses two years earlier. A separate Christmas special "Jingle Balls" was aired over the Christmas of 1997. It was particularly controversial for featuring jokes about masturbation, which many thought unsuitable for Christmas viewing.

Gary Strang and Tony Smart are two modern stereotypes of 1990s men in their thirties; taking a keen interest in booze, birds and football. Gary runs a dead end burglary alarms sales office, with two old fashioned and muted assistants; subordinates George and Anthea. Tony on the other hand stumbles through various jobs including; modeling, bar work and professional miming; due to his record stall collapsing (literally). The pair have an interminable childhood of behaving immaturely and asininely. As a result, the relationship with the two women in their lives, Dorothy and Deborah, persistantly suffers.

Dorothy is a quick-witted and sensible young nurse; Gary’s girlfriend. The pair frequently split up, are occasionally unfaithful, yet somehow always end up back together. Gary desperately clings to his relationship with Dorothy; the only women he can formulate a relationship with. Tony on the other hand, has numerous girlfriends, especially in the first two-three series, however his true feelings are for the blonde “babe” upstairs Deborah (who originally worked in a restaurant). Tony loves Deborah, and spends much of his time chasing her around and going to extreme lengths to get her to sleep with him; however his feelings for her stretch far beyond lust. Deborah deep down feels a connection with Tony, but like Gary, his petty-childishness prevents any relationship from forming.

• Official Men Behaving Badly website
• British Sitcom Guide
• British TV Comedy Guide
• Comedy Guide - Men Behaving Badly at bbc.co.uk

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