Two best friends in their early 30s, with completely opposite personalities. live together. Their girlfriends try to help them take on more responsibilities, but they seldom respond well and usually end up drinking together.
This comedy series is all about two mates, Gary and Tony, who share a two-bedroom home. They are grown men who act like a couple of drunk two-year-olds; they spend their time either drinking beer at their local Pub or at home have all-male conversations on the couch while drinking beer.—Graham Wilson Jr <[email protected]>
The story is set in London, in a flat owned by protagonist Gary Strang. During the series, Gary has two different male flatmates.
Gary works as the manager of a security sales office. He is in his early 30s, and serves as the supervisor of two middle-aged employees (family man George and spinster Anthea) who are much more old-fashioned than him. Gary is relatively secure financially, but rather arrogant and emotionally immature. Off-work, Gary enjoys beer drinking, watching television non-stop, and having thoughtless conversations about women with his buddies. In many ways, he represents the British "lad culture", consisting of young middle-class men with stereotypical working class attitudes.
Gary's flatmate during the first season is Dermot Povey. Tolerated by Gary because of being a good drinking buddy, despite always failing to pay the rent on time. He romantically pursuits their new neighbor Deborah Burton, but his ideas concerning dates often backfire.
Dermot's initial occupation is not specified, but he finds a new marketing job in mid-season 1. In the season finale, he is fired because of loosing his temper and assaulting a child customer. He finds a temporary job as a waiter in a restaurant, but is fired again because of kissing a female customer. Afterwards, he decides to travel abroad and never returns. He sends Gary a postcard informing him of his decision to live abroad.
Dermot's replacement is Tony Smart, who stays with Gary for the rest of the series. Tony initially runs a second-hand record store. He is likable enough, but struggling financially. He has aspirations of becoming a musician, but lacks in genuine talent. After his record store collapses, Tony starts drifting from job to job.
Throughout the series, Gary is in an on-and-off romantic relationship with the nurse Dorothy Martin, who is better educated and more mature than him. Their relationship is often jeopardized by by his lying habits and selfish behavior. In season 2, Gary also tries to cover that he has stolen a valuable record from her collection and sold it for cash. Both Gary and Dorothy have short-term flings with others, but neither is willing to end their relationship.
The last main member of the cast is restaurant worker Deborah Burton, a sexy blonde woman who has had a series of failed relationships. Tony is in love with her for most of the series, but his feelings seem to be unrequited. She has a tendency to mistreat him.
In Season 5, Dorothy moves into the flat with Gary. Their co-habitation is rather difficult for her, and she eventually moves in with Deborah's flat instead.
In Season 6, Gary and Dorothy have arranged to marry each other, but have second-thoughts about it. They cancel their wedding at the last possible moment. Meanwhile, Tony and Deborah start a romantic relationship of their own, following years of failed attempts. Gary and Dorothy eventually ask for the advise of a professional counselor, who suggests that they should split up permanently.
In the "Last Orders" special episodes, Gary and Dorothy have decided to try having a baby. Dorothy is soon pregnant and having a miserable time. Tony finds a new job as a postman, and decides to start acting maturely. He grows a mustache, starts wearing glasses, and acts overly serious. Deborah is turned off by his new behavior.
In the final episode of "Last Orders", the office where Gary works is shut down. He is unemployed for the first time in years, while Dorothy is about to give birth to their baby.
