View source for How Not to Live Your Life

{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox television
| image                = How Not to Live Your Life.png
| caption              = Title card from Series 3
| genre                = [[Sitcom]]<br>[[Black comedy]]
| creator              = [[Dan Clark]]
| developer            =
| writer               = Dan Clark
| director             = Dan Clark (Series One)
| starring             = Dan Clark<br>[[David Armand]]<br>[[Leila Hoffman]]<br>[[Laura Haddock]]
| theme_music_composer = 
| opentheme            = "How Not To Live Your Life" by Ben Parker
| endtheme             = "Ending Theme" by Dan Clark
| country              = United Kingdom
| language             = English
| num_series           = 3
| num_episodes         = 20
| list_episodes        = List of How Not to Live Your Life episodes
| executive_producer   = 
| producer             = [[Dan Clark]]<br>Gary Reich
| editor               = [[Paul Machliss]] (series 1)
| camera               = 
| runtime              = 35 minutes
| company              = 
| network              = [[BBC Three]] and [[BBC HD]]
| first_aired          = {{Start date|2007|9|27|df=y}}
| last_aired           = {{end date|2011|12|22|df=y}} 
}}
'''''How Not to Live Your Life''''' (styled in the opening credits as "how NOT to live your life") is a [[British sitcom]], written by and starring [[Dan Clark]] that aired between 27 September 2007 and 22 December 2011 on [[BBC Three]], about a [[Pessimism|pessimistic]] twenty-nine-year-old man who is trying to navigate his way through life but is not helped by his bad instincts. After a [[television pilot|pilot]], the show debuted in 2008 with moderate ratings but grew over the course of the three series, doubling its ratings each series because of its [[cult following]]. The third series got viewing figures of 1.5 million across the week and was the second most watched show on [[BBC iPlayer]].{{Citation needed|date=August 2014}} When BBC Three controller [[Danny Cohen (television executive)|Danny Cohen]] left the channel, new controller [[Zai Bennett]] cancelled several comedies, including ''How Not to Live Your Life''.

==Background==
In 2006, Clark was commissioned to write two short comedies for [[Comedy Central (UK and Ireland)|Paramount Comedy 1]] – ''Dan Clark's Guide to Dating'' and ''Dan Clark's Guide to Working''. Clark was the main character in both shows, and [[Isabel Fay]] appeared in ''Dan Clark's Guide to Dating'', which was shown as ten one-minute clips on the channel, with lists of ten things people shouldn't do on a [[Dating (activity)|date]], such as "Ten things you shouldn't wear on a date". The clips began to appear on the [[Internet]] and the [[BBC]] approached him about doing a 30-minute show in the same format. The result was the pilot for ''How Not to Live Your Life'', using the same style of short clips within a traditional sitcom. The pilot was filmed in a real house in London<ref name="bbc7553728">{{cite news | title = Talking Shop: Dan Clark | publisher = [[BBC Online]] | date = 12 August 2007 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7553728.stm | access-date = 13 October 2008}}</ref> and first aired on [[BBC Three]] on 27 September 2007.<ref name="bbcb008063q">{{cite web | title = How Not to Live Your Life | publisher = [[BBC Online]] | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b008063q | access-date = 13 October 2008}}</ref>

The pilot featured a number of actors who did not appear as regular characters in the series – [[Sally Bretton]], [[Rich Fulcher]], [[Claire Keelan]] and [[Bruce Mackinnon]]. Although, [[Isabel Fay]] who also appeared in the pilot was in the final episode of the first series, "The Break Up", as Fiona.<ref name="tv1225718">{{cite news | title = How Not To Live Your Life: Pilot | publisher = tv.com | url = http://www.tv.com/how-not-to-live-your-life/pilot/episode/1225718/cast.html?tag=overview;cast | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130204225642/http://www.tv.com/how-not-to-live-your-life/pilot/episode/1225718/cast.html?tag=overview;cast | url-status = dead | archive-date = 4 February 2013 | access-date = 13 October 2008 }}</ref><ref name="imdb2543576">{{cite web | title = Isael Fay Filmography | publisher = [[IMDb]]| url = https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2543576/ | access-date = 13 October 2008}}</ref> The BBC then commissioned a full series, which was filmed in a studio in [[Glasgow]].<ref name="bbc7553728"/> Clark wrote each episode and directed four episodes.<ref name="scg000331">{{cite news | title = News - 'How Not to Live Your Life' gets greenlight | publisher = The British Sitcom Guide | date = 15 November 2007 | url = http://www.sitcom.co.uk/news/news.php?story=000331 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20130421045046/http://www.sitcom.co.uk/news/news.php?story=000331 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 21 April 2013 | access-date = 27 August 2008 }}</ref> The first series started broadcasting on [[BBC Three]] on 12 August 2008 with the first episode, "Home Sweet Home",<ref name="bbcb00czkxy">{{cite web | title = Home Sweet Home | publisher = [[bbc.co.uk]] | url = http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00czkxy | access-date = 25 September 2008}}</ref> which introduces the four main characters of Don, Abby, Karl and Eddie. BBC Three showed the first series on Tuesday evenings at 10:30pm.

The series often features the character of Don giving a [[narrative]] and talking to the camera, as well as cut away [[dream sequence]]s where he gives alternative scenarios such as [[Insult|put downs]] or physical moves he wished he had thought about at the time. For instance, in episode four of series one, "The Young Ones", these include, "Eight Ways Don Shouldn't Dance", "Alternative ways to deal with annoying teenagers" and "What Don wished he had said to his flatmate, Abby, while she was necking with her annoying and square boyfriend Kockface on the sofa".<ref name="tvs0809">{{cite web | last = Hirons | first = Paul | title = TV Review: How Not To Live Your Life, BBC Three, Tuesday 2 September, 10.30pm | work = TVScoop | publisher = tvscoop.tv | date = 3 September 2008 | url = http://www.tvscoop.tv/2008/09/tv_review_how_n.html | access-date = 25 September 2008}}</ref>

==Plot==

===Series 1===
Don is a [[Negative affectivity|pessimistic]], single twenty-nine-year-old, failing to navigate his way through the very basics of life. His biggest enemy is his overactive mind, which plays out countless scenes of things he shouldn't do or say. When he moves into a house left to him by his recently deceased grandmother, he meets Eddie, her enthusiastic [[Caregiver|carer]] who doesn't want to leave. Don soon realises there are advantages to letting him stay. To help pay off the huge back payments on the house, Don decides to get a lodger. He ends up choosing Abby, the girl he was in love with as a teenager and whom he still fancies. However, Abby isn't single. She has a boyfriend Karl, who Don refers to as 'Kockface'.<ref name="cg-how">{{cite news | title = How Not To Live Your Life | publisher = The British Comedy Guide | url = http://www.comedy.org.uk/guide/tv/how_not_to_live_your_life/ | access-date = 25 September 2008 }}</ref>

===Series 2===
In Autumn 2008, BBC Three commissioned a second series of ''How Not to Live Your Life'', which was filmed in the Spring of 2009. It started on 15 September 2009. The plotline is somewhat different from the first series. Abby and Karl did not feature in this series, and Mrs. Treacher (Don's neighbor) has become a main character as well as having more lustful humour towards Don, along with a new character named Samantha. The series featured [[Julian Barratt]] as a minor character, Jackson.<ref name="beb-series2">{{cite news | title = Currently in Production - How Not to Live Your Life Series 2 | publisher = Brown Eyed Boy Ltd | url = http://www.browneyedboy.com/website/shows/television/how-not-to-live-your-life-series-2 | access-date = 12 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422022047/http://www.browneyedboy.com/website/shows/television/how-not-to-live-your-life-series-2 |archive-date=2009-04-22}}</ref>

===Series 3===
On 2 November 2009, BBC Three recommissioned the show for a third series. {{Citation needed|date=August 2014}} This was confirmed by Dan Clark on both his [[Twitter]] and [[Facebook]] page, and on 29 September 2010, Dan Clark posted on his official Twitter page that the third series was scheduled to be aired in the beginning of November.

On 21 October 2010, Brown Eyed Boy Productions issued a press release on their website stating that series three would begin with a double-bill of Episodes 1 and 2 on 8 November 2010 at 22:30 on BBC Three. {{Citation needed|date=August 2014}}

Laura Haddock returned to play Samantha. Other actors included [[Noel Fielding]] as Marcus and [[Rupert Vansittart]] as a "Posh girl's father".<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcthree/2010/10/how-not-to-live-your-life-filming-diary-part-2.shtml BBC – BBC Three – Blog: How Not To Live Your Life: Filming Diary part 2<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>

===Christmas Special: It's a Don-derful Life===
On 27 May 2011 it was revealed by BBC Three's Controller Zai Bennett that the show would return for a Christmas Special, however he also revealed that this would be the last as the show had been axed. The Christmas Special was aired on BBC Three at 9pm on 22 December 2011.

Several months after Series 3, there have been some changes in Don's life. The art gallery has closed and he is working in a shoe shop while Jason is managing an upmarket supermarket. Still coping with his romantic feelings for Samantha, Don receives a letter from his solicitors informing him that he may sell the house if he so wishes. He decides to sell it to a property developer for a large sum of money who plans to demolish it. As Mrs Treacher is becoming increasingly difficult to look after, Don and Eddie decide to put her in a nursing home, a decision that is made unavoidable by Don selling the house. After a lot of awkward situations, and Samantha believing that Don and Abby are a couple after Abby returns to the house, Don finally tells Samantha how he feels and the two become an item. Also, Don decides against selling the house and things return to normal. A "5 Things That Happened Next" segment reveals the futures of the main characters. Don and Samantha married on New Year's Day 2012 and eventually had nine children, all of them male. Eddie fled the country after the Police discovered he was a serial killer who grooms men for three years before killing them with kitchen utensils. Mrs Treacher became a popular session drummer under the name "D-Tree". Don published his memoirs entitled ''How Not To Live Your Life''. They were later made into a [[BBC1]] sitcom starring [[James Corden]].

==Cancellation==
On 27 May 2011 it was revealed by BBC Three's Controller Zai Bennett, that the show had been cancelled along with fellow BBC Three Comedies [[Coming of Age (2008 TV series)|''Coming of Age'']] and ''[[Lunch Monkeys]]''. He explained that "They were good to the channel, but have had their time,". According to that statement the Christmas Special of How Not to Live Your Life was the final episode.

==Characters==
* '''Donald "Don" Danbury''' ([[Dan Clark]]) – (2007–2011) – Don is the [[protagonist]]. Often acting in a socially awkward and diva-style manner. He inherited the house, in which the story centres, after his grandmother died. Don has been shown to have a crush on Abby, though he eventually falls in love with Sam. Sam and Don marry at the end of the series.
* '''Samantha Parker''' ([[Laura Haddock]]) – (2009–2011) – Don's new lodger in the second series and is regularly unimpressed with Don's selfish behaviour. She is a student at university and also has very similar characteristics to Don. She has unsuccessful relationships, likes to drink and previously had a job with which she was not happy. She is much more intelligent than Don and uses this against him on countless occasions; however she admires him for the excitement his life gives her.
* '''Abby Jones''' ([[Sinead Moynihan]]) – (2008, 2011) – Abby used to go to the same [[secondary school]] as Don, and stayed with Don in his house after applying for a room to rent, but is away travelling during the second and third series. She is a [[primary school]] teacher. In the first series, she dates Karl; Abby and Karl split up and subsequently got back together in the last episode, before splitting up for good. She is always very patient towards Don's weird behaviour.
* '''Karl Menford''' ([[Finlay Robertson]]) – (2008) – Karl is Abby's boyfriend in series 1. He earns the nickname "Kockface" (with a K, not a C) from Don, and the two show visible signs of hatred towards each other. However, Abby often attempts to get Karl to be more tolerant with Don, and tries to ease hostility between the two. He moves in with Don and Abby at the end of series 1.
* '''Edward "Eddie" Singh''' ([[David Armand]]) – (2008–2011) – Eddie was Don's grandmother's carer. After her death, he inexplicably continues to work for Don, caring for him in much the same way he would care for an elderly client - doing [[House work|housework]], preparing meals and even offering Don [[Bathing|sponge baths]] in bed. Throughout many episodes there are continuous gags that joke on the relationship between Eddie and Don mostly making them appear to be a gay couple, such as '[[The Odd Couple (play)|The Odd Couple]]'. His father is a sixteenth [[Indian people|Indian]], which Eddie reveals to Don who was confused about his surname.
* '''Mrs "Dot" Treacher''' aka '''Mrs T''', '''[[Gollum]]''', '''[[Yoda]]''' or '''[[Magical creatures in Harry Potter#Dobby|Dobby]]''' ([[Leila Hoffman]]) – (2008–2011) – Don's ill-tempered, elderly next-door neighbour who refers to him as "dickhead". In series 2, Eddie has become her carer following her husband's death. She often tags along to events like Don's Gig in Episode 3.
*'''Jason''' (Daniel Lawrence Taylor) – (2009–2011) – Don's boss at the art gallery. Jason hates Don, telling him so and also refers to him as an "awful employee." However, Jason later calms down and understands Don, despite a conflict in their relationship when Jason admits he intends to pursue Samantha. However, he later steps aside and it is implied that Jason ends up with Abby. 
*'''Brian''' ([[Silas Carson]]) – (2010) – Sam's professor at university and her new boyfriend in series 3. He is a recurring character only.

==International broadcasts and streaming services==
{|class="wikitable"
|-
! Country !! TV Network(s)
|-
| {{flag|Australia}} || [[ABC2]]
|-
| {{flag|Brazil}} || [[Globosat]]
|-
| {{flag|Croatia}} || [[HBO Comedy]]
|-
| {{flag|Czech Republic}} || Prima [[Comedy Central]]
|-
| {{flag|Estonia}} || [[Eesti Televisioon]]
|-
| {{flag|Germany}} || [[ZDFneo]]
|-
| {{flag|Hungary}} || [[Comedy Central]]
|-
| {{flag|Iceland}} || [[RÚV]]
|-
| {{flag|India}} || [[Comedy Central]]
|-
| {{flag|Israel}} || [[HOT3]]
|-
| {{flag|Netherlands}} || [[Comedy Central]]
|-
| {{flag|Norway}} || [[NRK3]]
|-
| {{flag|Poland}} || [[HBO Comedy]]
|-
| {{flag|Portugal}} || [[Sic Radical]]
|-
| {{flag|Romania}} || [[HBO Comedy]] and [[Comedy Central Romania]]
|-
| {{flag|Russia}} || [[2×2 (TV channel)|2×2]]
|-
| {{flag|Serbia}} || [[HBO Comedy]]
|-
| {{flag|Slovenia}} || [[HBO Comedy]]
|-
| {{flag|Taiwan}} || CHT's MOD-TV
|-
| {{flag|United States}} || Audience Network and Seeso streaming service
|}

==Reception==
The first series received mixed reviews. The ''British Comedy Guide'' said of the show, "The 2007 pilot of this sitcom was average at best, lacking both focus and reason. We really enjoyed the full series though - the stronger premise (Don living in his deceased gran's house and plotting to dispense of Karl and win-over attractive Abby) and the new character of Eddie (David Armand in his best role yet) made all the difference."<ref name="cg-how"/>

However, Deborah Orr in [[The Independent]] newspaper said in a review of the first episode, "It's a dead cert that ''How Not to Live Your Life'' will attract no prizes at all. A great deal of humour can be squeezed from observing the lives of stupid men. But Don Danbury is no [[David Brent]] and this new sitcom offers nothing except sound evidence that the BBC has now got more airtime than it can fill. This show is an insult to the intelligence of stupid men everywhere."<ref name="ind892699">{{cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/tv-radio-reviews/last-nights-tv-baton-charge-has-me-hooked-on-classics-892699.html|title=Last Night's TV: Baton charge has me hooked on classics|last=Orr|first=Deorah|date=13 August 2008|work=[[The Independent]]|access-date=25 September 2008}}</ref>

Harry Venning in [[The Stage]] said, "Pity poor Sinéad Moynihan. Okay, don't pity her too much, because she's drop dead gorgeous and clearly in demand as an actor. But it must have been galling to get the second lead in sitcom How Not to Live Your Life, only to discover that the full extent of your contribution would be to look pretty and provide a sensible foil to the show's writer/star Dan Clark. Would it have killed Clark to throw the show's only female character the occasional funny line to deliver? This grump notwithstanding, I rather like How Not to Live Your Life. Clark's unorthodox delivery, combined with Don's almost wilful unloveability, takes some getting used to, but this is consistently amusing, frequently hilarious and totally addictive."<ref name="stage21630">{{cite news|url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/feature.php/21630/tv-review|title=TV review|last=Venning|first=Harry|date=22 August 2008|publisher=[[The Stage]]|access-date=25 September 2008}}</ref>

==Home releases==

{| class="wikitable" width="99%" style="left: 0 auto; text-align: center;"
|-
! rowspan="2" |DVD Title
!rowspan="2"|# of Disc(s)
!rowspan="2"|Year
!rowspan="2"|# of Episodes
!colspan="3"|DVD release
|-
![[DVD region code#1|Region 1]]
![[DVD region code#2|Region 2]]
![[DVD region code#4|Region 4]]
|-
|'''[[List of How Not to Live Your Life episodes#Series 1: 2008|Complete Series One]]'''
|2
|2008
|6
| -
|20 July 2009<ref>{{cite web |title=How Not To Live Your Life - Series 1 [DVD]|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B001UHO0LM |publisher= [[Amazon.co.uk]] |access-date=23 October 2011}}</ref>
|7 January 2010<ref>{{cite web|title=How Not To Live Your Life - Series 1 (2 Disc Set)|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/how-not-to-live-your-life-series-1-2-disc-set/dp/810110|publisher=[[ezydvd.com.au]]|access-date=23 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731090309/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/how-not-to-live-your-life-series-1-2-disc-set/dp/810110|archive-date=31 July 2012}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[List of How Not to Live Your Life episodes#Series 2: 2009|Complete Series Two]]'''
|2
|2009
|6
| -
|19 October 2009<ref>{{cite web |title=How Not To Live Your Life - Series 2 [DVD]|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002KSA3Z2 |publisher= [[Amazon.co.uk]] |access-date=23 October 2011}}</ref>
|1 September 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=How Not to Live Your Life - Series 2 (2 Disc Set)|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/how-not-to-live-your-life-series-2-2-disc-set/dp/820764|publisher=[[ezydvd.com.au]]|access-date=23 October 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305202451/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/how-not-to-live-your-life-series-2-2-disc-set/dp/820764|archive-date=5 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[List of How Not to Live Your Life episodes#Series 3: 2010|Complete Series Three]]'''
|2
|2010
|7
| -
|18 July 2011<ref>{{cite web |title=How Not to Live Your Life - Series 3 [DVD]|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004YBIC7Y |publisher= [[Amazon.co.uk]] |access-date=23 October 2011}}</ref>
|1 September 2011<ref>{{cite web|title=How Not to Live Your Life - Series 3 (2 Disc Set)|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/how-not-to-live-your-life-series-3-2-disc-set/dp/820765|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230180327/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/DVD/how-not-to-live-your-life-series-3-2-disc-set/dp/820765|url-status=dead|archive-date=30 December 2012|publisher=[[ezydvd.com.au]]|access-date=23 October 2011}}</ref>
|-
|'''[[List of How Not to Live Your Life episodes#Series 1: 2008|Complete Series One - Three & Christmas Special]]'''
|7
|2011
|20
| -
|1 October 2012<ref>{{cite web |title=How Not To Live Your Life - Series 1 - 3 & Christmas Special[DVD]|url=https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Not-Live-Your-Life/dp/B008D2CRJO |publisher= [[Amazon.co.uk]] |access-date=24 August 2012}}</ref>
| -
|}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{BBC programme}}
*{{IMDb title|id=1270367|title=How No to Live Your Life}}
*{{British Comedy Guide|tv|how_not_to_live_your_life}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100603032824/http://www.timeout.com/london/comedy/features/5455/Dan_Clark_on_How_Not_to_Live_Your_Life.html Time Out feature]
*[http://entertainment.timesonline.co.uk/tol/arts_and_entertainment/tv_and_radio/article6730715.ece Interview]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} on timesonline.co.uk

{{DEFAULTSORT:How Not to Live Your Life}}
[[Category:2007 British television series debuts]]
[[Category:2011 British television series endings]]
[[Category:2000s British sitcoms]]
[[Category:2010s British sitcoms]]
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[[Category:BBC television sitcoms]]
[[Category:Television shows about casual sex]]
[[Category:British English-language television shows]]