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*FunWithAlphabetSoup: Eddie uses Alphabetti Spaghetti to spell out "Sexy Pants" (his nickname for Don) on Don's plate. Don amuses himself by removing the P and wondering whether ants find each other sexually attractive.
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* FluffyTheTerrible: Don's posh girlfriend Felicity apparently had a pet lion named Puss-Puss. She also uses this as a nickname for her father, who is just as scary.

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merged trope


* BastardGirlfriend: Jenny, though nobody believes Don until she starts beating him up in the pub to [[SoundtrackDissonance "When A Man Loves A Woman"]].


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* DomesticAbuse: Jenny, though nobody believes Don until she starts beating him up in the pub to [[SoundtrackDissonance "When A Man Loves A Woman"]].
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* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: From series 2 onwards most of the episode titles are "Don (verbs) a (noun)" or some variation. (Though the names of the episodes do not appear on-screen, and are not given on the DVDs).

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* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: From series 2 onwards most of the episode titles are "Don (verbs) a (noun)" or some variation. (Though the names of the episodes do not appear on-screen, and are not given on the DVDs).[=DVDs=]).

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* GirlOfTheWeek: Despite whoever is Don's flatmate being the prime love interest, he makes his way through a fair amount of women in the series - more than someone like him should.


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* GirlOfTheWeek: Despite whoever is Don's flatmate being the prime love interest, he makes his way through a fair amount of women in the series - more than someone like him should.
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* RevealingContinuityLapse: When Jason accompanies Don to the fancy dress party, he acts as though he's never met Sam or Brian before - but two episodes earlier, he attended the party Sam threw for Don when she thought he was dying, and met both of them.
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* EarlyInstallmentWeirdness: Don is a much nastier person in the first series than later on - in some episodes he's a borderline sociopath. He's rude, insensitive, selfish and lacks empathy (note particularly the way he talks about his deceased grandmother). In the second and third series his more unpleasant traits are toned down, and he's portrayed as lazy and clueless but basically well-meaning.



* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: From series 2 onwards most of the episode titles are "Don (verbs) a (noun)" or some variation.

to:

* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: From series 2 onwards most of the episode titles are "Don (verbs) a (noun)" or some variation. (Though the names of the episodes do not appear on-screen, and are not given on the DVDs).

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* MsFanservice: Don's [[GirlOfTheWeek Girls of the Week]] tend to be very lovely and dress in very flattering outfits, but special mention goes to Felicity (Creator/PhoebeWallerBridge), who ends up DressedLikeADominatrix in black lingerie.

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* MsFanservice: MsFanservice:
** Abby, while she was a series regular. Her actress was a model, and it showed.
**
Don's [[GirlOfTheWeek Girls of the Week]] tend to be very lovely and dress in very flattering outfits, but special mention goes to Felicity (Creator/PhoebeWallerBridge), who ends up DressedLikeADominatrix in black lingerie.
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* MsFanservice: Don's [[GirlOfTheWeek Girls of the Week]] tend to be very lovely and dress in very flattering outfits, but special mention goes to Felicity (Creator/PhoebeWallerBridge), who ends up in black lingerie as Don's dominatrix.

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* MsFanservice: Don's [[GirlOfTheWeek Girls of the Week]] tend to be very lovely and dress in very flattering outfits, but special mention goes to Felicity (Creator/PhoebeWallerBridge), who ends up DressedLikeADominatrix in black lingerie as Don's dominatrix.lingerie.
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None


* MsFanservice: Don's [[GirlOfTheWeek Girls of the Week]] tend to be very lovely and dress in very flattering outfits, but special mention goes to Felicity the dominatrix (Creator/PhoebeWallerBridge), who ends up in black lingerie.

to:

* MsFanservice: Don's [[GirlOfTheWeek Girls of the Week]] tend to be very lovely and dress in very flattering outfits, but special mention goes to Felicity the dominatrix (Creator/PhoebeWallerBridge), who ends up in black lingerie.lingerie as Don's dominatrix.

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[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hntlyl.jpg]]
%%[[caption-width-right:350:some caption text]]




Written by and starring Dan Clark, ''How Not To Live Your Life'' is a British comedy programme following 29-year old Don Danbury, a dysfunctional [[strike:{{Jerkass}}]] dickhead orphan who can barely look after himself and is very close to losing his job. As luck would have it, Don inherits his grandmother's house by default with instructions to 'sort out your life and stop being such a dickhead'. Initially believing it is free, Don is informed that the inheritance is conditional; he must pay his grandmother's mortgage if he wishes to keep the house. Soon after moving in, Don meets his grandmother's old carer, Eddie Singh, who, even after learning that she is dead, continues to look after the house (and Don), expecting nothing in return.

In order to help pay the mortgage, Don must take in a lodger; in a twist of fate the first (normal) person to answer the ad is his high school crush, Abby. Unfortunately for him, Abby also has a boyfriend, Karl (who Don immediately calls [[TheNicknamer Kockface]]), who spends much of his time round the Danbury household antagonising Don. Much of the first series revolves around this love triangle, which [[spoiler:ends in the two splitting up but Abby going travelling to 'get her head together', leaving Don alone]].

to:

\nWritten by and starring Dan Clark, -->-- '''Don Danbury'''

''How Not To to Live Your Life'' is a British comedy programme written by and starring Dan Clark, following 29-year old Don Danbury, Danbury (Clark), a dysfunctional [[strike:{{Jerkass}}]] {{Jerkass}} dickhead orphan who can barely look after himself and is very close to losing his job. As luck would have it, Don inherits his grandmother's house by default with instructions to 'sort out your life and stop being such a dickhead'. Initially believing it is free, Don is informed that the inheritance is conditional; he must pay his grandmother's mortgage if he wishes to keep the house. Soon after moving in, Don meets his grandmother's old carer, Eddie Singh, who, even after learning that she is dead, continues to look after the house (and Don), expecting nothing in return.

In order to help pay the mortgage, Don must take in a lodger; in a twist of fate the first (normal) person to answer the ad is his high school crush, Abby. Unfortunately for him, Abby also has a boyfriend, Karl (who Don immediately calls [[TheNicknamer Kockface]]), who spends much of his time round the Danbury household antagonising Don. Much of the first series revolves around this love triangle, which [[spoiler:ends ends in the two splitting up but Abby going travelling to 'get "get her head together', together", leaving Don alone]].
alone.




The first series received mixed reviews from critics, citing the female lead [[FlatCharacter didn't have much of a personality]] but generally liking the humour. Things improved in the second series with the introduction of Samantha and upgrading Mrs. Treacher from recurring character to main cast.



* BastardGirlfriend: Jenny, though nobody believes Don until she starts beating him up in the pub to [[SoundtrackDissonance When A Man Loves A Woman]].

to:

* BastardGirlfriend: Jenny, though nobody believes Don until she starts beating him up in the pub to [[SoundtrackDissonance When "When A Man Loves A Woman]].Woman"]].



* {{Dominatrix}}: Flic, who adores how subservient and common Don is.

to:

* {{Dominatrix}}: Flic, Felicity, who adores how subservient and common Don is.



* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: From series 2 onwards most of the episode titles are Don (verbs) a (noun) or some variation.
* ImagineSpot: Usually a list of bad things that could happen in a given situation.
** Sometimes subverted when the last thing mentioned is repeated for real.
* {{Jerkass}}: Don, appropriately nicknamed 'Dickhead' by most of his friends.
** Actually the show is full of them. [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Karl]], Mr. Bitchman, Puss Puss. None of these can hold a candle to Dave Fintsman who, amongst other things, randomly punches Don in the face, treats women with the same respect as a banana peel, cheated on his wife and made Don drink his piss.

to:

* IdiosyncraticEpisodeNaming: From series 2 onwards most of the episode titles are Don "Don (verbs) a (noun) (noun)" or some variation.
* ImagineSpot: Usually a list of bad things that could happen in a given situation.
**
situation. Sometimes subverted when the last thing mentioned is repeated for real.
* {{Jerkass}}: Besides Don, appropriately nicknamed 'Dickhead' by most of his friends.
** Actually
friends, the show is actually full of them. them: [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Karl]], Mr. Bitchman, Puss Puss. None of these can hold a candle to Dave Fintsman who, amongst other things, randomly punches Don in the face, treats women with the same respect as a banana peel, cheated on his wife and made Don drink his piss.



* MsFanservice: Don's [[GirlOfTheWeek Girls of the Week]] tend to be very lovely and dress in very flattering outfits, but special mention goes to Felicity the dominatrix (Creator/PhoebeWallerBridge), who ends up in black lingerie.



* TheNicknamer: Don, again.



* OnlySaneMan: Dickish as he may be, Karl in the first series certainly qualifies. Although Abby is easily sane as well, her fondness for Don seems odd at times given his behaviour, and Karl makes his confusion about it very clear.

to:

* OnlySaneMan: OnlySaneMan:
**
Dickish as he may be, Karl in the first series certainly qualifies. Although Abby is easily sane as well, her fondness for Don seems odd at times given his behaviour, and Karl makes his confusion about it very clear.



* RunningGag: 'And ''shit?!?'''
** 'Aaaand *click* Sleep!'
* SheIsNotMyGirlfriend: Eddie and Don. Lampshaded by many of the characters. Don vehemently denies they are a couple on multiple occasions, but he's not helped by Eddie calling Don 'sexy pants'.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Karl. With a K, not a C.
* TheNicknamer: Don, again.
* TeacherStudentRomance: Sam and Brian.



* RunningGag:
** "And ''shit?!?''"
** "Aaaand *click* Sleep!"
* SheIsNotMyGirlfriend: Eddie and Don. Lampshaded by many of the characters. Don vehemently denies they are a couple on multiple occasions, but he's not helped by Eddie calling Don 'sexy pants'.
* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Karl. It is pointed out a lot that it's with a K, not a C.
* TeacherStudentRomance: Sam and Brian.



* WhereEverybodyKnowsYourFlame: the gay bar, where even the bartender is shirtless.
* WillTheyOrWontThey: Don and Abby; they probably won't. Don and Sam; They probably will.

to:

* UnusualEuphemism: One episode has Don date a woman who turns out to be a dominatrix. When he goes to visit her parents, her father is ironically suspicious of Don being the one into kinky stuff, so of course Don ends up in a sub outfit (complete with a gag ball, leading to his dialogue being subtitled) being caught by the father, leading Don to exclaim the quite inventive (per the subtitles) "[[Music/BonJovi Jon Bon]] ''Jesus!''"
* WhereEverybodyKnowsYourFlame: the The gay bar, where even the bartender is shirtless.
* WillTheyOrWontThey: WillTheyOrWontThey:
**
Don and Abby; they probably won't. won't.
**
Don and Sam; They they probably will.
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Correcting spelling/grammar


Written by and starring Dan Clark, ''How Not To Live Your Life'' is a British comedy programme following 29-year old Don Danbury, a dysfunctional [[strike:{{Jerkass}}]] Dickhead orphan who can barely look after himself and is very close to losing his job. As luck would have it, Don inherits his grandmothers house by default with instructions to 'sort out your life and stop being such a dickhead'. Initially believing it is free, Don is informed that the inheritance is conditional; he must pay his Grandmother's mortage payments if he wishes to keep the house. Soon after moving in, Don meets his grandmother's old carer, Eddie Singh, who, even after learning that she is dead, continues to look after the house (and Don), expecting nothing in return.

In order to help pay the mortage, Don must take in a lodger; in a twist of fate the first (normal) person to answer the ad is his high school crush, Abby. Unfortunately for him, Abby also has a boyfriend, Karl (who Don immediately calls [[TheNicknamer Kockface]]), who spends much of his time round the Danbury household antagonising Don. Much of the first series revolves around this love triangle, which [[spoiler:ends in the two splitting up but Abby going travelling to 'get her head together', leaving Don alone]].

In light of this, Don must take on another lodger in Series 2 and settles for mature student Samantha, who joins the main cast. Also included in this is former recurring character, the next-door neighbour Mrs Treacher, who is upgraded as Eddie becomes her full-time carer.

to:

Written by and starring Dan Clark, ''How Not To Live Your Life'' is a British comedy programme following 29-year old Don Danbury, a dysfunctional [[strike:{{Jerkass}}]] Dickhead dickhead orphan who can barely look after himself and is very close to losing his job. As luck would have it, Don inherits his grandmothers grandmother's house by default with instructions to 'sort out your life and stop being such a dickhead'. Initially believing it is free, Don is informed that the inheritance is conditional; he must pay his Grandmother's mortage payments grandmother's mortgage if he wishes to keep the house. Soon after moving in, Don meets his grandmother's old carer, Eddie Singh, who, even after learning that she is dead, continues to look after the house (and Don), expecting nothing in return.

In order to help pay the mortage, mortgage, Don must take in a lodger; in a twist of fate the first (normal) person to answer the ad is his high school crush, Abby. Unfortunately for him, Abby also has a boyfriend, Karl (who Don immediately calls [[TheNicknamer Kockface]]), who spends much of his time round the Danbury household antagonising Don. Much of the first series revolves around this love triangle, which [[spoiler:ends in the two splitting up but Abby going travelling to 'get her head together', leaving Don alone]].

In light of this, Don must take on another lodger in Series 2 and settles for mature student Samantha, who joins the main cast. Also included in this is former recurring character, the next-door neighbour Mrs Mrs. Treacher, who is upgraded as Eddie becomes her full-time carer.



The First Series recieved mixed reviews from critics, citing the female lead [[FlatCharacter didn't have much of a personality]] but generally liking the humour. Things improved in the Second Series with the introduction of Samantha and upgrading Mrs Treacher from recurring character to main cast.

to:

The First Series recieved first series received mixed reviews from critics, citing the female lead [[FlatCharacter didn't have much of a personality]] but generally liking the humour. Things improved in the Second Series second series with the introduction of Samantha and upgrading Mrs Mrs. Treacher from recurring character to main cast.



* GirlOfTheWeek: Despite whoever is Don's flatmate being the prime love interest, he makes his way through a fair amount of women in the series more than someone like him should.
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: If you do even a quarter of what Don does in RealLife, expect to be beaten up. Alot.

to:

* GirlOfTheWeek: Despite whoever is Don's flatmate being the prime love interest, he makes his way through a fair amount of women in the series - more than someone like him should.
* ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin: If you do even a quarter of what Don does in RealLife, expect to be beaten up. Alot.A lot.



** Actually the show is full of them. [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Karl]], Mr Bitchman, Puss Puss. None of these can hold a candle to Dave Fintsman who, amongst other things, randomly punches Don in the face, treats women with the same respect as a banana peel, cheated on his wife and made Don drink his piss.

to:

** Actually the show is full of them. [[SpellMyNameWithAnS Karl]], Mr Mr. Bitchman, Puss Puss. None of these can hold a candle to Dave Fintsman who, amongst other things, randomly punches Don in the face, treats women with the same respect as a banana peel, cheated on his wife and made Don drink his piss.



** In the second and third series this role is usually taken by Samantha

to:

** In the second and third series this role is usually taken by SamanthaSamantha.



* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Karl. With a K not a C.

to:

* SpellMyNameWithAnS: Karl. With a K K, not a C.
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Hot Mom is not a trope anymore.


* HotMom: Don Dates A Cougar... Indeed he does.

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