Have I Got News For You - With or Without Deayton?
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 12:06 AM GMT, Dave said:
Just what it says on the tin.
Is Have I Got New For You better with all the guest presenters or with the reliable Angus? I know that with the guests, it's all a bit touch and go. It's like This is Your Life: You never know who's going to be on it. There have been some darned bad presenters in the past, though. Jane Leaves (Daphne from Frasier) springs to mind, as does Julian Clary and Boris Johnson. Alexander Armstrong tends to be good.
Btw, neither Paul nor Ian got on very well with Deayton through his ten year tenure.
Anyway, what does everyone else reckon?
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 1:03 AM GMT, Leevil said:
I thought Deayton did his job well, but didn't miss him when he left. They really should stick with Alexander, the whole "who's it going to be?" wore off after about 3 guests.
The focus should be on the panel and topics, not the host.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 4:09 AM GMT, Godot Taxis said:
Deayton's pretty good with a script, useless without - but so are a lot of actors.
Why not bring him back and get rid of Merton and Hislop. They've both been in it for 17 years merton's been phoning in his performance for the last five years. The audience is so enamoured of him he could literally say anything and get a laugh.
Just thinking, Hislop started working on Private eye straight after Oxford and got HIGNFY three years later. What a brilliant career! Beats temping or flipping burgers.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 4:41 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Boris bad?!!? Dave, you are ill, I say, ill!
Oh, and definitely Deayton.
Agree with Godot that Paul's gone downhill of late. Ian, I find, is sharp as ever though.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 4:41 AM GMT, zooo said:
Boris Johnson was better than Angus.
I'd love him to be the regular host.
The HIGNFY Guest Host dvd is practically all Boris. Not that I have it especially for that reason or anything.... 
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 5:03 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Just one of the many DVDs I haven't got around to watching yet. Naughty. *spanks hand*
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 5:29 AM GMT, ajp29 said:
I thought Angus Deayton was good untill he left HIGNFY and then you realise how very average he is. Without a chair and a desk I don't think he would be working in the biz.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 12:28 PM GMT, Darren Goldsmith said:
Couldn't really care less... and 'Mock the Week' makes me laugh more anyway.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 3:46 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Dave @ September 1, 2007, 8:06 PMThere have been some darned bad presenters in the past, though. Jane Leaves (Daphne from Frasier) springs to mind, as does Julian Clary and Boris Johnson.
I know I'm not alone in thinking the Boris Johnson presented episodes are the funniest of the 250+ episodes there have been - for the simple reason Boris was such a bad presenter. Admittedly I wouldn't want him presenting it every week though.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 4:35 PM GMT, Dave said:
Boris doesn't have the talent for it. There's no point in just laughing AT him.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 4:55 PM GMT, Walker said:
Would Angus even come back though? The BBC treat him like shit for years after the "scandal". His departure is the reason why guys like Steven Fry no longer wish to appear on the show. Merton and Hislop also lost a lot of friends because of the way they treat Angus for the few shows after. All in all, i think it would be pointless bringing him back, because Merton and Hislop probably wouldn't have moved on from the last time he hosted.
I am however for making someone a regular host.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 5:09 PM GMT, Dave said:
Angus did return to the BBC with Would I Lie to You? though. But I don't think Paul would stand for it if he returned. Pride and all that.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 5:12 PM GMT, ajp29 said:
I think Merton and Hislop had to do what they did. You can't ask a journalist and a comedian to ignore what happened and that episode was one of the funniest ever. Don't forget that Deayton made his living doing exactly the same, kicking celebrities and politicians when they were down.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 5:46 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Walker @ September 2, 2007, 12:55 PMWould Angus even come back though? The BBC treat him like shit for years after the "scandal". His departure is the reason why guys like Steven Fry no longer wish to appear on the show. Merton and Hislop also lost a lot of friends because of the way they treat Angus for the few shows after.
Really? Interesting.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 6:46 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Deayton wrote a lot of the early material too (people forget what a funny man he is, and not just someone reading out loud. See KYTV)
The whole intonation and rhythm of the jokes are still written as if Deayton was in the chair, so it just comes across as a pale imitation.
Sadly now, post-HIGNFY he DOES just read aloud and it's always some duff ITV script-by-numbers. His only other good work was Before They Were Famous - which he co-wrote the links with Danny Baker.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 6:49 PM GMT, Dave said:
I remember Before They Were Famous. That should come back. I wonder why it went away.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 8:47 PM GMT, Charley said:
You cant beat dirty filthy old Angus.
On Sunday 2nd September 2007 GMT at 10:16 PM GMT, Aaron said:
BTWF was just absolutely hilarious. I really wish they'd do more.
On Monday 3rd September 2007 GMT at 5:23 PM GMT, Walker said:
Can anyone remember Help Yourself? I thought that was one of the funniest things ITV have done ... ever.
On Monday 3rd September 2007 GMT at 5:27 PM GMT, Dave said:
Quote: Walker @ September 3, 2007, 1:23 PMCan anyone remember Help Yourself? I thought that was one of the funniest things ITV have done ... ever.
Yeah, I do. I thought it was hilarious! Great subtitles written by Angus.
On Tuesday 4th September 2007 GMT at 12:30 AM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
I prefered Angus hosting it, but loved Boris Johnson too.
On Tuesday 4th September 2007 GMT at 2:18 PM GMT, chipolata said:
I like Angus Deayton, and have no time for his detractors (they should listen to the mighty Radio Active if they want to see just how talented he is), but I think his ousting actually added some fresh energy to a fairly tired show. Sure, some have the guest hosts redefine lame, but for the most part they work quite well. That said, I'd really like to get Ian Hislop in a headlock and play the top of his head like a bongo drum. Smug bastard.
On Tuesday 4th September 2007 GMT at 6:51 PM GMT, Charley said:
Dirty Deayton.
Dirty Deayton.
Dirty Deayton.
Dirty Deayton.
x 1 trillion billion zillion Dirty Deayton's
On Tuesday 4th September 2007 GMT at 7:35 PM GMT, Leevil said:
Quote: Charley @ September 4, 2007, 2:51 PMDirty Deayton.
Dirty Deayton.
Dirty Deayton.
Dirty Deayton.
x 1 trillion billion zillion Dirty Deayton's
Or Anus Deayton as I like to call him or I will from now on as I've just thought of it, actually it's not that funny, so I won't.
...
On Tuesday 4th September 2007 GMT at 8:21 PM GMT, Rustle T Davis said:
Quote: chipolata @ September 4, 2007, 10:18 AMI'd really like to get Ian Hislop in a headlock and play the top of his head like a bongo drum. Smug bastard.
Can I crack him like a bolied egg when you're done? (Or should I say "when he's done?)
On Tuesday 4th September 2007 GMT at 11:34 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: Charley @ September 4, 2007, 2:51 PMDirty Deayton.
Dirty Deayton.
Dirty Deayton.
Dirty Deayton.
x 1 trillion billion zillion Dirty Deayton's
And yet, he doesn't have a thing on you, Charley.
On Tuesday 4th September 2007 GMT at 11:52 PM GMT, Walker said:
Quote: Rustle T Davis @ September 4, 2007, 4:21 PMCan I crack him like a bolied egg when you're done? (Or should I say "when he's done?)
I read somewhere that Ian Hislop is afraid of spoons
On Wednesday 5th September 2007 GMT at 1:51 PM GMT, chipolata said:
Wasn't there a sketch in Big Train about somebody scared of spoons? And they end up jumping out of a window to their death when somebody enters the room stirring his coffeee with one?
On Wednesday 24th October 2007 GMT at 5:16 PM GMT, Chunda said:
it's still one of my favourite shows.......taking the pee out of the pompous...............Jeffrey Archer for example.........come to think of it-they should invite Archer to be guest host sometime.........the arrogant git wouldn't be able to refuse............imagine how many lawyers they'd need on standby?.........with all the cuts in the offing they wouldn't be able to do it
On Wednesday 24th October 2007 GMT at 5:54 PM GMT, Rick Skelton said:
Without. Never liked Deayton, he's a pompous twit. The show has a much nicer feel now, different chemistry each week and it's funnier.
Oh yeah, Angus Deayton or Kirsty Young? Tough one. Not.
On Wednesday 24th October 2007 GMT at 6:39 PM GMT, Nick said:
Quote: Dave @ September 2, 2007, 2:49 PMI remember Before They Were Famous. That should come back. I wonder why it went away.
I think it's because they'd run out of people to do at the time. I remember in the last edition that they did, they were showing things like U2's early songs even though they were big hits and therefore already famous by then. It was already stretched out far too long. They probably could do another one or 2 now that new people have become famous though.
I prefer HIGNFY without Deayton as it still makes me laugh every week and if he was still with the show there's no guarantee that that would be the case.
On Wednesday 24th October 2007 GMT at 7:44 PM GMT, Treenifer said:
I think that Deayton was great, but it's an impossiblity to re-create the magic. He could hardly say, for example, Archer's a liar without being rebuttled by Archer saying 'well, you're one too'. Unfortunatly to be a satarist you need to be seen as clean, especially in a high profile program such as HIGNFY.
On Thursday 25th October 2007 GMT at 12:05 AM GMT, Jay72 said:
Don't watch it much these days. Preferred it when Deayton was there and never took to the guest presenter thing. Think it needs to stick to one person and leave it at that.
On Thursday 25th October 2007 GMT at 3:22 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Anyone else think that Paul Merton has got less and less funny over the past few series'? I just get the impression that he doesn't try anymore. He knows he'll get a laugh, so he just makes a slightly odd comment, and looks towards the presenter with a raised eyebrow kind of thinking look.
On Tuesday 30th October 2007 GMT at 1:32 AM GMT, Magnus D said:
I do think that the guest presenters have gotten stale, but at the same time Angus Deayton should not come back. He was brilliant on his time on the show, but there's simply no way he'd come back now as Paul and Ian would have a field day (then again, they'd often have a field day at his expense without the scandal, e.g. the brown jacket or that Caroline Quentin episode where Paul accused him of sleeping with her). I think they need to stick to one presenter now, possibly Alexander Armstrong if he is not too busy with his new sketch show.
On Tuesday 30th October 2007 GMT at 9:56 AM GMT, Frankie Rage said:
Have I Got zzzzzzz for you! Let's lose this old claptrap!
Sure, let's give it the decent burial it deserves and commission something fresh from aspiring new writers and performers who need a well deserved break.
Hislop and Merton ... thanks but the knackers yard beckons, the heart attacks are around the corner, act now boys... you've had a well deserved long, long, long run!!! But do the decent thing now and fall on the sword!!!
You know it makes sense, Rodney!!
On Tuesday 30th October 2007 GMT at 3:42 PM GMT, Cinnamon said:
I agree; it's got to the point where Paul Merton could recite the elements and the audience would laugh.
On Saturday 24th November 2007 GMT at 2:37 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Well, that was actually the funniest thing I've seen in a very long time. Real proper laugh out loud comedy for me.
Merton continuing his recent streak of desperately grasping for jokes, and Alex James almost comatose he made such little contribution (at least to the final cut), but Ann, Jimmy, and to a lesser extent Ian, were a perfect combination. Would love to see them working together again (in a non-nude sense of course). 
On Saturday 24th November 2007 GMT at 9:41 PM GMT, Paul W said:
Anyone watch last nights? She is by far the worst presenter on earth... why didn't she put her glasses on, the silly old bag!
Still funny... "I don't listen to wrong answers... impossible you were a tory"... I loled.
On Saturday 24th November 2007 GMT at 9:52 PM GMT, Mark said:
Yes, not best at the auto-que was she!
A bit like the episodes with Boris, the regulars soon realised this though and so shifted the focus away from the news topics and more onto personal reactions. Very funny.
It was one of those shows that really annoyed me though - I hate it when a guest sits there and doesn't pull their weight - like Aaron says, Alex James did nothing!
On Saturday 24th November 2007 GMT at 10:06 PM GMT, Aaron said:
I didn't mind that, since he's a bit shit anyway. Really, really enjoyed the episode though. If Ann and Jimmy returned every week, that would be amazing.
On Sunday 25th November 2007 GMT at 4:51 PM GMT, Aljado said:
Ann Widdicome (sp?) is an odd fish. When she did Louis Theroux she presented a thinly-veiled hatred of publicity, prudish shyness and almost punkish anti-image. Now she's presenting HIGNFY, had her hair and other fuglyness styled and seems to me to be courting exposure like some ex-BB wanabee?
She's either broke or lonely. I don't get her at all.
On Sunday 25th November 2007 GMT at 4:56 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Either way, she should be presenting HIGNFY every week. I watch the 'extended' show again last night and picked up on Paul's quip that "you have jokes?!". Particularly ironic, as in the preceeding 20 minutes or so, she'd been umpteen times more funny than he has over the past three series'.
On Wednesday 28th November 2007 GMT at 4:04 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Aaron @ November 25, 2007, 11:56 AMEither way, she should be presenting HIGNFY every week.
Sadly it looks like your wish will never be granted Aaron...
"Ann Widdecombe has vowed never to go on Have I Got News For You again. Not because she was monstered by Ian Hislop and Paul Merton - in fact she lauds the satirical quiz's long-standing team captains for "the fastest wits in showbusiness". No, what has provoked her wrath is being forced to endure the company of fellow guest Jimmy Carr. "His idea of wit is a barrage of filth and the sort of humour most men grow out of in their teens," she harrumphs in her Daily Express column today. "The edit got rid of much of it but there's no amount of money for which I would go through those two recording hours again. At one stage I nearly walked out." And now, sadly, Ann has walked out on the show for good. Jimmy, how can you live with yourself after what you've done? The nation will not easily forgive you."
(From The Guardian)
On Wednesday 28th November 2007 GMT at 4:32 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Noooooooooooooooooooooo! 
On Wednesday 28th November 2007 GMT at 4:58 PM GMT, Goldielocks said:
Treenifer got it right..I read an interview with Merton where he said that Deayton had to go because the show has to be about the news and not the host.
I think it would have died quickly if he had stayed on. Too bigger loss of credibility.
I think it is a particular case with satire that the satirist need a level of credability higher than other forms of comedy or else it just doesn't work.
At the end of the day he was naive enough not to pause with rolled up £20 note on one hand and prostitute in the other and say to himself 'I get paid large sums of money to take the piss out of other people's sexual shannaigans and folibles..perhaps this isn't the best idea.'
Little sympathy from this neck of the woods.
On Wednesday 28th November 2007 GMT at 7:28 PM GMT, Cinnamon said:
Quote: Aaron @ November 28, 2007, 11:32 AMNoooooooooooooooooooooo!
Aaron, could you have found her saying 'be quiet' funny for more than fourty minutes? Still, if appearing on Have I Got News For You means that there's even less danger of anyone taking her politics seriously then let her stay.
On Wednesday 28th November 2007 GMT at 9:13 PM GMT, Rick Skelton said:
Fantastic. Widdicombe was the worst host of anything that has ever been on the telly. She made Davina McCall look positively talented.
On Thursday 29th November 2007 GMT at 4:13 AM GMT, Badge said:
Quote: Aaron @ November 25, 2007, 11:56 AMEither way, she should be presenting HIGNFY every week. I watch the 'extended' show again last night and picked up on Paul's quip that "you have jokes?!". Particularly ironic, as in the preceeding 20 minutes or so, she'd been umpteen times more funny than he has over the past three series'.
This is a joke, right? Really? Honestly?
On Thursday 29th November 2007 GMT at 4:52 AM GMT, Aaron said:
Nope. I say that with 100% sincerity.
On Thursday 29th November 2007 GMT at 4:54 AM GMT, Badge said:
Quote: Aaron @ November 28, 2007, 11:52 PMNope. I say that with 100% sincerity.
Well, don't say nobody gave you a get-out opportunity.
On Thursday 29th November 2007 GMT at 4:58 AM GMT, Kent Pete said:
With
A perfect dead pan foil to Paul's surrealism.
On Thursday 29th November 2007 GMT at 1:52 PM GMT, Rick Skelton said:
She wasn't a dead pan, she was a dead loss.
It'd be like putting wooden actors in sitcoms to make the real ones look interesting and vibrant.
On Sunday 2nd December 2007 GMT at 1:09 AM GMT, Mannikin Bird said:
I am so miffed at missing Ann Widdecombe last week, my mom met her once and said she was hilarious.
I know that some people think HIGNFY is old hat, but for me it's an old hat that fits like a glove! Clive Anderson (love him or hate him) is a true professional and to be honest anything that can make me laugh whilst working my way through a pile of ironing the size of a small hill gets my vote. I hope it runs and runs.
On Thursday 28th August 2008 GMT at 9:36 PM GMT, Charly said:
Does anyone know if Deayton was allowed back on to guest present an episode since being sacked? My mum thinks so but I don't.
On Thursday 28th August 2008 GMT at 10:00 PM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: Charly @ August 28 2008, 6:36 PM BSTDoes anyone know if Deayton was allowed back on to guest present an episode since being sacked? My mum thinks so but I don't.
No he hasn't been back on (I doubt he'd want to either after both Ian and Paul showed their true feelings towards him).
Maybe your mum was thinking about the week after all the press stuff hit - as, if I remember rightly, Angus didn't actually leave until the week after the one in which Paul got his t-shirt out etc.
On Thursday 28th August 2008 GMT at 10:35 PM GMT, Aaron said:
It's never been the same since Angus left. 
On Thursday 28th August 2008 GMT at 11:32 PM GMT, zooo said:
True.
I loved Boris at the helm though.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 12:25 AM GMT, Aaron said:
It has its moments yes, but seems to have become more concerned with making fun out of the guest presenter thann the satire.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 3:51 PM GMT, Charly said:
I think maybe Ian and Paul were a bit too cruel towards Angus. I mean, they went on for ages and ages and were really vicious. But then again, maybe he deserved it - I really don't know having only watched the last few Angus episodes on Youtube, as I was too young to know about the scandal at the time.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 3:55 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Ian & Paul had to do it or they would have looked liked idiots. I miss Angus, hopefully he'll return one day.
On Friday 29th August 2008 GMT at 3:56 PM GMT, Charly said:
Quote: Nil Putters @ August 29 2008, 12:55 PM BSTIan & Paul had to do it or they would have looked liked idiots. I miss Angus, hopefully he'll return one day.
My sentiments exactly.
On Saturday 30th August 2008 GMT at 4:29 AM GMT, Gelgoog said:
I think it varies on the host. Some of the guest hosts work well, some are terrible. There's definetly a joy in seeing them tear apart some of the more pompous ones.
At the same time, I do agree that Ian and Paul haven't quite done their best the last few series. Ian often gets in some good quips, but Paul basically now just spouts out any old nonsense and hopes it'll get a laugh. Given he was one of the first comedians I remember watching, it's kind of sad. I do think the show has been on auto-pilot for a while now. I'd say Mock the Week has stolen it's thunder, but they seem to be aiming for different generations.
On Saturday 6th September 2008 GMT at 2:07 AM GMT, frostyboy said:
Have I Got News for You is titty wanking brilliant.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 4:39 AM GMT, Badge said:
Hislop gave a good "horse's mouth" explanation why Deayton had to go on tonight's BBC Four interview with Mark Lawson. Interesting interview - should be on iPlayer all week and repeated later.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 7:24 AM GMT, sardines said:
I remember reading that Deayton was always heavily involved in the writing process.
Show was better with Deayton, Merton seems to have lost every piece of his once brilliant wit. Hislop is pretty much the same as he always was but he can't carry a show.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 12:03 PM GMT, Maurice Minor said:
I like it as it is; Deayton was a bit smug for my liking. I think Hislop's justification was spot-on; once you lose the high ground to Christine Hamilton then you're done for. I recall Parkinson asking Paul Merton whether they had stabbed Deayton in the back, to which Merton replied "Well, we stabbed him in the front really..." Interesting to hear Hislop say Merton never liked him much anyway!
As for guest presenters, well I don't mind them as it adds one more person they can embarrass with odd revelations etc from time to time. Plus some of them are very good. Of course some of them are rubbish which isn't much fun but the programme will survive. Maybe they could narrow the list of presenters to a long list of regulars and only have 'new' ones when they have something interesting to bring?
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 12:26 PM GMT, Timbo said:
I was sorry to see Deayton go, but if he was still on the show I would probably be as sick of him as I am of Merton. Hislop continues to entertain because he relies solely on wit rather than a comedy schtick.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 2:47 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Quote: sardines @ May 10 2009, 4:24 AM BSTI remember reading that Deayton was always heavily involved in the writing process.
Show was better with Deayton, Merton seems to have lost every piece of his once brilliant wit. Hislop is pretty much the same as he always was but he can't carry a show.
Yes, yes, and yes.
Quote: Maurice Minor @ May 10 2009, 9:03 AM BSTMaybe they could narrow the list of presenters to a long list of regulars and only have 'new' ones when they have something interesting to bring?
That is more or less the case now, is it not? The list may be informal, or at least not public, but there's rarely a new presenter anymore.
Quote: Timbo @ May 10 2009, 9:26 AM BSTHislop continues to entertain because he relies solely on wit rather than a comedy schtick.
Again, yes.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 4:46 PM GMT, Yellows 586 said:
I'm with Maurice Minor on this one. Deayton was far too smug for my liking. He was due for a fall when it happened and did he fall. I seem to remember Alexander Armstrong being linked for the host's chair a few years ago but that would been replacing one public school, Oxbridge boy with another. I like Paul Merton but he does seem off the boil at the moment. His surreal jokes are getting worse.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 4:54 PM GMT, Griff said:
I've enjoyed a lot of the guest hosts - Jack Dee and Frank Skinner are ace, also the "novelty" ones like Boris Johnson and Bruce Forsyth - but I think Angus was terrific. I don't buy the argument that comedy quiz presenters have to be morally spotless or else the magic doesn't work.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 5:38 PM GMT, sootyj said:
True but when the Hamilton's were able to rib him for turpetitude it was getting a tad silly.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 5:38 PM GMT, Nick said:
Quote: Griff @ May 10 2009, 1:54 PM BSTI've enjoyed a lot of the guest hosts - Jack Dee and Frank Skinner are ace, also the "novelty" ones like Boris Johnson and Bruce Forsyth - but I think Angus was terrific. I don't buy the argument that comedy quiz presenters have to be morally spotless or else the magic doesn't work.
I don't think they do on other comedy quiz shows but I think it was blatantly obvious that Deayton could never have mocked any of the guests again because they had the perfect comeback.
People now romanticize the Deayton years but the early series were very slow and if I had to choose then I would go with Boris, Brian Blessed, Rob Brydon etc. over Deayton every time.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 5:41 PM GMT, Griff said:
Love Brian Blessed and Rob Brydon also.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 5:41 PM GMT, sootyj said:
Gordon Brown he's going to be out of work soon.
And where as he may not be particularly quick witted, humerous or even sane.
His famous tantrums should be f**king hilarious.
"Call Gordon imprudent? Gordon Smash!"
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 5:43 PM GMT, Griff said:
Have they ever had a Labour MP chairing it? I bet they have and I've forgotten someone completely obvious.
On Sunday 10th May 2009 GMT at 6:04 PM GMT, Aaron said:
Brian Blessed was very good, but it would be extremely tedious extremely quickly if he were to take the chair permanently. (And I don't think that Paul or Ian would accept him as host anyway.)
Quote: Griff @ May 10 2009, 2:43 PM BSTHave they ever had a Labour MP chairing it? I bet they have and I've forgotten someone completely obvious.
Kennedy, Widecombe and Hague are the only MPs to have chaired the show.
On Monday 11th May 2009 GMT at 12:54 AM GMT, Yellows 586 said:
Quote: Griff @ May 10 2009, 2:43 PM BSTHave they ever had a Labour MP chairing it? I bet they have and I've forgotten someone completely obvious.
Neil Kinnock. After he was an EU commissioner but not an MP at the time. Apparently he was terrible.
On Saturday 16th May 2009 GMT at 1:31 PM GMT, bigfella said:
Rolf Harris' presenting skills may have been a little weak but the art work, the singing and the expenses gags made it an excellent episode last night.
On Saturday 16th May 2009 GMT at 4:35 PM GMT, Yellows 586 said:
Best for a while last night.
On Saturday 16th May 2009 GMT at 7:31 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
I think if it ends they should end it with a Deayton hour long episode.
AD shaped the show in so many ways, and without him it's no longer unmissable.
On Saturday 16th May 2009 GMT at 8:23 PM GMT, Ben said:
I think you need a permanent host to give any show a sense of identity.
On Saturday 16th May 2009 GMT at 10:50 PM GMT, Yellows 586 said:
The idea that Angus Deayton made the show is frankly rubbish. The only time the show was in real trouble was when Paul Merton left for a series and Eddie Izzard did it for a bit. Jam.
On Sunday 17th May 2009 GMT at 3:30 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Yellows 586 @ May 16 2009, 7:50 PM BSTThe idea that Angus Deayton made the show is frankly rubbish. The only time the show was in real trouble was when Paul Merton left for a series and Eddie Izzard did it for a bit. Jam.
Well, given he used to co-write it, I'd say he did shape it.
On Sunday 17th May 2009 GMT at 8:07 PM GMT, Mark said:
I'd agree that HIGNFY wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Deayton. In the early days he pretty much wrote all the autocue gags by himself.
On Sunday 17th May 2009 GMT at 8:19 PM GMT, zooo said:
Can't imagine that happening now!
On Monday 18th May 2009 GMT at 3:44 AM GMT, Oldrocker said:
Can't imagine that anyone has watched it in the last ten years !
It's a spent force !
On Monday 18th May 2009 GMT at 7:57 PM GMT, Afinkawan said:
I reckon they should have Angus back as a guest host.
On Monday 18th May 2009 GMT at 8:09 PM GMT, Seefacts said:
Quote: Mark @ May 17 2009, 5:07 PM BSTI'd agree that HIGNFY wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Deayton. In the early days he pretty much wrote all the autocue gags by himself.
He's a very funny man - see KYTV.
Also, he's ace on his 1994 Room 101 appearance.
On Wednesday 20th May 2009 GMT at 11:24 PM GMT, roscoff said:
Can but agree that the show is on the slippery slope. I don't think the Beeb would put Mr Deayton back in charge which is a pity. I agree with previous posts, best host by a mile. And I didn't know he had a hand in writing it which probably helps to explain his excellent delivery.
Oh and as a side line. I believe Room 101 has never been the same since Nick Hancock left/sacked whatever.
On Thursday 21st May 2009 GMT at 2:23 AM GMT, Maurice Minor said:
I can't see them ending HIGNFY; there's always going to be a need to satirise the news and its far quicker and easier to do it as a quiz than try and write something cleverer. Rory Bremner's stuff, as an example of 'scripted/rehearsed' satire is an example - technically very good, but not exactly hilarious, and also rarely able to react to the latest news stories. Mock The Week is an example of a potential replacement that is nowhere near as good.
Even if they did end HIGNFY, there would be a replacement in the same slot on Friday nights doing satirical swipes at the news.
On Sunday 24th May 2009 GMT at 12:00 PM GMT, SillyBry said:
I saw this week's episode being filmed and it was fantastic. Alexander Armstrong is as good as Angus as a host and Reginald D Hunter is always a brilliant guest.
I know that it's part of Paul's persona on the show to be deadpan and miserable and he's not at all like that when he's doing other stuff (like the comedy store players), but he was really cheerful and laughing at everything as well.
I've been a couple of times and the host does make a massive difference. A good host makes the show seem effortless, a poor host makes the show seem strung together and a little unnatural. I've seen Jo Brand, Alexander Armstrong and Al Murray hosting it; Alexander and Jo were brilliant. I thought Al Murray could have been good next time, but as his first time, he just let the show fall silent and left people with nothing to say for too long. Although, in fairness to him, the new stories that week were terrible, which didn't really help.
Like you say, they always need to have a vehicle for satire and that is the easiest way of doing it. HIGNFY is a lot cheaper than making a show with Rory Bremner or something like Drop the Dead Donkey.
HIGNFY has outlived all the other game shows and although it does have dips and highs in quality, it is for the main, very good. Nothing else comes close to it; I think that part of it's charm is that they don't just have the same circle of comedians who do everything, they also have journalists and politicians. You wouldn't see that on Mock the Week. And, as opposed to Mock the Week, the regulars let the guests talk!
I think that if either Paul or Ian decided to call it a day, that would be the end of the programme. Lets hope they keep going for a bit longer! 
Afterall, I suspect it has given them a very good, steady income for 20 years and allowed them the time and money to do what they want.
On Sunday 24th May 2009 GMT at 3:11 PM GMT, Badge said:
Quote: SillyBry @ May 24 2009, 9:00 AM BSTI saw this week's episode being filmed and it was fantastic. Alexander Armstrong is as good as Angus as a host and Reginald D Hunter is always a brilliant guest.
I know that it's part of Paul's persona on the show to be deadpan and miserable and he's not at all like that when he's doing other stuff (like the comedy store players), but he was really cheerful and laughing at everything as well.
I've been a couple of times and the host does make a massive difference. A good host makes the show seem effortless, a poor host makes the show seem strung together and a little unnatural. I've seen Jo Brand, Alexander Armstrong and Al Murray hosting it; Alexander and Jo were brilliant. I thought Al Murray could have been good next time, but as his first time, he just let the show fall silent and left people with nothing to say for too long. Although, in fairness to him, the new stories that week were terrible, which didn't really help.
Like you say, they always need to have a vehicle for satire and that is the easiest way of doing it. HIGNFY is a lot cheaper than making a show with Rory Bremner or something like Drop the Dead Donkey.
HIGNFY has outlived all the other game shows and although it does have dips and highs in quality, it is for the main, very good. Nothing else comes close to it; I think that part of it's charm is that they don't just have the same circle of comedians who do everything, they also have journalists and politicians. You wouldn't see that on Mock the Week. And, as opposed to Mock the Week, the regulars let the guests talk!
I think that if either Paul or Ian decided to call it a day, that would be the end of the programme. Lets hope they keep going for a bit longer!
Ditto (exceot I wasn't at the recording)
On Sunday 24th May 2009 GMT at 5:21 PM GMT, Spagett said:
I think the show on Friday confirmed that Alexander Armstrong should do it permanantly. He is competent enough to read the autocue and set up the jokes but funny enough to be able to ad lib.
On Monday 25th May 2009 GMT at 2:47 AM GMT, Mark said:
Quote: SillyBry @ May 24 2009, 9:00 AM BSTI saw this week's episode being filmed and it was fantastic.
So you weren't the person standing up during the credits roll and causing the re-start then. What a berk. ha ha.
I'm definitely coming around to the idea of having Alexander Armstrong as the full-time host now. The novelty of guest hosts is starting to wear off. As you say, when it's a bad host, it's a really poor episode. Could do without that inconsistency.
Actually, thinking about it, Angus Deayton is no longer in the news any more... so the "you're in the public eye too much" excuse they used to fire him no longer counts and he could, in theory, be restored as host? But of course that'll never happen for multiple reasons, including that Paul has pretty much admitted he really didn't get on with Angus.
On Monday 25th May 2009 GMT at 3:13 AM GMT, SillyBry said:
No I wasn't the idiot who stood up in the credits!!! He stood there for ages - they edited it down for the TV and then they focused all the cameras on him and were making jokes about it as they were deciding whether to reshoot the credits or not and he looked so angry and mortified that they were laughing at him! Well what did he expect?! And why did noone around him tell him to sit down? Everyone was laughing and pointing at him! But hats off to him, it did give us the chance to see Paul doing a backwards roly poly!
I think it would be too backwards looking to reinstate Angus, but I would enjoy the consistency of a good host all the time. There are a lot of guests that I think are very good guests, but not good hosts - like Frank Skinner - I love him as a guest, but he wasn't such a good host. Also, because Alexander hosts it quite a lot, they have good quite a nice relationship with him - there is quite a bit of banter.
On Monday 25th May 2009 GMT at 11:09 PM GMT, Maurice Minor said:
Quote: Spagett @ May 24 2009, 2:21 PM BSTI think the show on Friday confirmed that Alexander Armstrong should do it permanantly. He is competent enough to read the autocue and set up the jokes but funny enough to be able to ad lib.
He is good, but I'm sure his ears are growing. You don't notice it when he's in other things, but sitting there, head on at the camera, they are quite distracting...
Although not as disctracting as Jonathan Ross' forefingers - they are unnerving when they are on the desk as he introduces his guests.
On Tuesday 26th May 2009 GMT at 12:00 AM GMT, SillyBry said:
That's weird you should say that, my mum said exactly the same thing!! She watched the show and asked me if his ears had always been "Martin Clunes-esque"?!
On Saturday 13th June 2009 GMT at 2:02 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Has anyone else found HIGNFY rather plodding along this year? Part of the problem for me is that they can't/won't get on many politicians or other controversial figures anymore. During the last couple of weeks with all the political furore, you need figures like Charles Kennedy, Boris, Bob Marshall-Andrews, Anne Widdecombe, Ken Livingstons, heavyweight journalists etc. Probably most run scared of the "curse" of HIGNFY thesedays, but the show lacks the punch because of it.
Paul Merton & Ian Hislop (in their own different ways) are on best form when there is a heavyweight on the show. (Despite the denial, this was also one of the reasons Deayton was such a great anchor, he was there as part of the agenda, not just to make jokes. I feel the guest presenter thing has run its course and having someone host for at least one year would be an improvement.)
On Saturday 13th June 2009 GMT at 2:08 PM GMT, hotzappa11 said:
"Are Muslims allowed piggy banks?" Hehe. Good ol' Lee Mac.
On Saturday 13th June 2009 GMT at 2:10 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
I asked the same question in work a few weeks ago. Damn you Lee Mack! 
Actually it was the swine flu one, I'm not quite awake yet.
On Saturday 13th June 2009 GMT at 2:52 PM GMT, Renegade Carpark said:
HIGNFY is like being in a long term relationship when the sexual spark has gone but you still feel the need to 'do it' every Friday night because it's part of the routine and though enjoyable, it's nowhere near as good or exciting or fun as during the early days.
To keep the relationship metaphor going, the guest hosts are brought in to spice up the proceedings, but they're strangers, so it can feel very awkward and embarrassing at times.
But what are you going to do? You cheated on HIGNFY with Mock the Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats and how did you feel afterwards? Cheap and empty. That's why I've left HIGNFY for the younger, funnier and much more attractive Never Mind the Buzzcocks.
I still see HIGNFY every now and then, but despite the comfort of familiarity, the magic is gone.
On Saturday 13th June 2009 GMT at 3:05 PM GMT, Tim Walker said:
Part of the problem is that Ian Hislop and Paul Merton now seem to be "resting on their oars", it's not a challenge anymore. Frankly a lot of stuff that they get a laugh from the audience about is predictable and not very funny. They dominate the show in a different way to how they used to. Hislop's incisiveness and Merton's surreal departures always worked best when they were reacting to Deayton or the guests. Now they have to manufacture their own set-ups too often and it's simply not as good. I'm by no means suggesting it has run its course, because you still get laughs from it. (Though I think you can get as many, if not more on radio's The News Quiz.) But the anticipation of tuning into HIGNFY has gone for me. It used to feel like an event, especially at times of political crisis. Now it's something that I don't regret missing, which is a shame.
On Saturday 13th June 2009 GMT at 3:21 PM GMT, Griff said:
I usually only tune into HIGNFY if I know someone I really like is going to be on, like Jack Dee, Frank Skinner or David Mitchell. Ian Hislop is still good (IMO) but I think Paul Merton is only turning up for the money these days and someone ought to lift the burden from his shoulders and let him go and do something he enjoys, like more documentaries about Laurel and Hardy.
On Saturday 13th June 2009 GMT at 3:22 PM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Quote: Griff @ June 13 2009, 12:21 PM BSTsomeone ought to lift the burden from his shoulders and let him go and make more documentaries about Laurel and Hardy.
On Saturday 13th June 2009 GMT at 11:11 PM GMT, Mark said:
I'd (sadly) have to agree that this series has seemed a little 'flat'. Which is particularly surprising considering the MP Expenses stories should have been potential HIGNFY comedy gold handed on a plate. The News Quiz has nailed the subject much better.
I think I agree with Tim, the fault is probably down to a combination of poor guest booking (the best guest of the series potentially being Alan Duncan maybe, because he walked into their firing line? He was the only controversial one I'd say), and Ian and Paul... because they're either getting a bit lazy or they're bit over-tired at the moment and so going back to what they do best.
Disclaimer: it's still far from bad though, Lee Mack and Shappi Khorsandi made me laugh last night.
On Saturday 13th June 2009 GMT at 11:25 PM GMT, SillyBry said:
I think that the series has really suffered from a lack of proper/heavyweight guests. I think that the show is good because they do get politicians and journalists on, but I think the politicians are too scared in the middle of this scandal!
I still prefer the show to Mock the Week - I don't like watching guests being scratched and trampled by the regulars if they dare to speak or take the limelight away from them.
I find it a bit weird with Paul Merton. Seeing him perform with the Players - he's so cheerful, he laughs along at everything and makes jokes with/about everyone. But on HIGNFY, his role is to be deadpan, which often makes it appear like he's not interested. I don't think that's the case, he just gives his guest a chance to speak and make jokes. I think he's funniest when reacting to what everyone else has said and not actually commenting on the news. I was disappointed by the episode hosted by Jack Dee this series, pleasantly surprised by Ruth Jones' episode and really really enjoyed Alexander Armstrong's. David Mitchell is a very good host as well.
Damien Lewis was good, but I thought Chris Addison was unusually quiet. Rolf was very funny in the same way that Bruce Forsyth was!
I've yet to watch this weeks.
I think another problem with this series is that the news has actually been the same in every episode - there are only so many greedy MP stories they can do!
On Wednesday 19th August 2009 GMT at 2:45 AM GMT, Gluben said:
Apparently, Angus Deayton is returning for a one-off edition to mark the show's 20th anniversary:
http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/a172241/deayton-to-return-for-hignfy-milestone.html
On Wednesday 19th August 2009 GMT at 2:47 AM GMT, Nil Putters said:
Cool, thanks.
On Wednesday 19th August 2009 GMT at 3:30 PM GMT, Mark said:
Wow - in a way I hope Deayton doesn't return, because if he does it'll just remind me how I wish he was still hosting it. Going back to guest presenters after that won't feel right.
On Wednesday 19th August 2009 GMT at 10:39 PM GMT, Gelgoog said:
Quick, stick glue on the chair!
On Thursday 20th August 2009 GMT at 12:49 AM GMT, JuliaC said:
I look forward to seeing this - should it really happen.
On Thursday 20th August 2009 GMT at 12:51 AM GMT, Timbo said:
That should be a jolly reunion. Hope he skewers the increasingly unfunny Merton for getting him the sack.
On Thursday 20th August 2009 GMT at 12:55 AM GMT, Kevin Murphy said:
It'll definitely be fun to have Angus back, but I wouldn't want it to be a permenant arrangement. Half (possibly up to 80%) of the fun nowadays is the guest presenters.
On Thursday 20th August 2009 GMT at 3:07 AM GMT, Sebastian Orange-News said:
Would be good to have Deayton back for a series. I reckon now Ian and Paul have both said they don't like him will make for some interesting banter.
On Saturday 29th August 2009 GMT at 10:32 PM GMT, Tabby said:
Didn't always care for Deayton as a presenter, host whatever but he is a skilled comedy actor with spot on timing, remember One Foot in the Grave. Prefer show with guest presenters and admit to soft spot for Paul Merton (please no one suggest it's a swamp in the bottom of my garden)!
On Sunday 30th August 2009 GMT at 1:36 AM GMT, Aaron said:
I've not got around to watching beyond Rolf Harris (episode 4 of 8) yet. That's probably quite telling of what my subconscious thinks of the series now.