Have I Got News For You is 20 years old today

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"Have I Got News For You" hit our screens 28th September 1990.Series 40 hits our screens in October.I know the show has been a hit & miss with some people over the last few years.Just rewatching some of the Angus episodes i feel some of the magic that was once there is sometimes missing from the show now.

Don't get me wrong there have been some good guest presenter shows but there has also been some bad ones.Also the mood Paul & Ian are in also plays a big part if the show will be good or bad.

In saying that there have been some funny moments in the show.This clip is a favourite of mine.

Richard Hammond Joke
 
Definitely one of the best shows of its kind ever.

I've also been watching the Dave repeats of the Angus years and it seems like an appropriate day to bang this particular drum again.

So strap yourself in.

In the earlier years I noticed a few differences (in my opinion) from the more recent shows.

Firstly, there is more of the quiz element to the show back then. Ian genuinely wants to beat Paul (and normally fails) and pretty much everyone has a stab at a real answer to the questions except Paul who gives funny or just surreal answers whenever he can. Nowadays everyone gives stupid answers to the questions and the points systems is only for show (ala Mock the Week).

Secondly, it seems to me that it was more satirical back then. They quite often "picked on" bigger names in political scandals and got them in the studio too. I used to often think "why did they go on the show they must know they'll be ripped to shreRAB". In most recent shows I think this has gone. When Ian does have a go at someone now it seems just to be bitter rather than funny - and I quite often think "Did they really deserve that"?

Thirdly (and you'll be glad to read, lastly), Paul. It appears that Paul sometimes neeRAB someone to goad him into being funny. Either by challenging him or by trying to be funnier than he is. Otherwise he falls back into just sitting there and occasionally doing his "did he just say that!"- look (which to be fair has been part of his schtick since the beggining). On his game I think he is one of the funniest guys on TV.

Are any of these solvable (is that even a word)? I don't know. But I do reckon that Angus did a good job of keeping the show on a "quiz" footing and also challenging Paul enough to make him get involved. I doubt he'll be back but maybe a permanent host would help. AA, maybe?

Maybe the big-scandal guests really are clever enough now to stay away or maybe the Beeb has just decided to avoid any trouble.

Havign said all of that, Its still got the capacity to be very, very good at times.

Happy Birthday, HIGNFY, you old b*****d!!
 
I pretty much agree with all of what blimpyboy posted.


I think they need to try out a series with a regular host. AA would be my choice. I think it would give more familiarity and structure to the show and it may help the overall dynamic.


I still keep watching it though.


If anyone else wants to the earlier series on Dave then post in the UKTV Thread in the Broadcasting forum as there is a UKTV bod on there asking for suggestions of what to show.
 
For some reason I avoid the Angus episodes on Dave, even though I know I must have watched them with great excitement and enjoyment when originally broadcast. But it's odd how time changes perception. I *think* I'll find Angus a bit irritating, but on the odd occasion I've actually sat and watched one, it's not too bad.

I really could watch any of the guest presented episodes on endless repeat (and often do), apart from anything with that gay Tory MP whose name escapes me. Having said that, the Brian Blessed episode was a gem, and I think he was on that!
 
Strange to have HIGNFY and MtW on the same night. Has that happened before? (It could have happened last series. I've got a terrible memory :D)

Any news on the Extended edition?
 
Tend to agree. Although Hislop can be very clever with some of his remarks, I've noticed there's often an embarrassing lack of reaction from the audience when he tries to be too cutting or clever, and then Paul or whoever's hosting has to intervene and rescue the situation. I feel HIGNFY has long had its day.Paul Merton has clearly not been that interested for years and only turns up fto fulfil his contract obligation most of the time.
 
"Have I Got News For You" is 20 years old today"

Are you trying to make me us all feel old?

I would say keep the show as it is, it's just fine.
 
No it didn't. (Wait, i'm out of sequence :D)

I think Deayton leaving improved the show, although I would have no objection to Alexander Armstrong as a new, permanent host.
 
There's been some of the most memorable episodes ever with the guest presenters.

It's really only the last few years that it's become a bit hit-and-miss.

Going to see the recording next week for the first time - very excited.
 
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