Have I Got News For You - With or Without Deayton?

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.
 

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!

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

Cool, thanks.
 

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.
 

Quick, stick glue on the chair!

I look forward to seeing this - should it really happen.
 

That should be a jolly reunion. Hope he skewers the increasingly unfunny Merton for getting him the sack.

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.
 

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.

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)!

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.